The Kind-Hearted Smart Aleck

Just the other day, I officially joined the 21st century! Well, I still haven't taken a selfie or joined Instagram, so I suppose that's still debatable. However, for the longest time, I was reluctant on joining the text message craze. I spent 12 hours a day working on the computer. Why on earth would I want to continue poking away at keys/buttons with my fingers when away from the PC - especially keys/buttons much smaller than those presented on the keyboard? But, as an increasing number of people swapped landlines for cell phones, and an increasing number of people swapped talking on their cell phones with text messaging on them, I finally had to give in to the temptation. I'm still intent on never texting while on a date at a restaurant, however. Yes, I still have standards.

I hate a love-hate relationship when it comes to the Internet and the social media. While I love the idea of being connected with the rest of the world, keeping in regular contact with friends both new and old, and being able to share and promote my written work, I also don't like how online interaction is taking the place of face-to-face interaction, how many seem to value sharing the appearance of a great experience over simply enjoying it, and how many seem to be becoming more narcissistic with these growing online trends. I may start sounding like an old fart in this post and perhaps slightly hypocritical, given the fact I have this blog, a Facebook page, as well as Twitter and Tumblr accounts. However, in my defense, I am a writer, so that's what I use this blog for, as well as my Twitter and Tumblr accounts - to write, share my work, and market it. I just use my Facebook page to keep in touch with friends and family - new and old, near and far. First off, it seems as ...

I admit, I'm kind of old-school with phones. I typically use them for, well, calling people, and for answering others' phone calls. I'm crazy like that. I admit, I will check my email once in a while if I'm out and about, may take a picture of something I find to be amusing or interesting, and may play a word game or two, but that's about as far as I go. To this point in my life, I have never taken a selfie. You don't believe me, do you? Check my records. Not one selfie. I've also never partaken in these silly photo trends. You know the ones. I'm talking about: Planking, duck-faces, fake mustaches, and I'm not sure what else. I know - I'm no fun. Because, let's face it, when most people think about "fun," the first four things that pop into mind are: 1) Taking pictures of themselves (we're suddenly all professional photographers), 2) Laying out like you're a plank (Captain Hook would be proud...), 3) Making a face only a duc...

I held off for so long with regard to getting a smartphone. I just wasn't very interested. I'm at the computer all day. Why would I want a miniature computer with me for when I go out? I want to get as far away from that thing as possible. I had always used my cell phone for two reasons - 1) To make calls and 2) To receive calls. That was it. I really had no interest in anything else. Three months ago, I finally gave in to the crazy and got a smartphone. I still don't use it nearly as much or for as many reasons as most people I know do. I may Google something once in a while, play Words or Scramble With Friends and make/receive phone calls, but that's about it. Three months later, I have to say - I'm not all too impressed with this smartphone (smartphone, in general) and am not thinking it's the brightest crayon in the box. In just the past week, it's froze on me and I've had to remove the battery and put it back in place in order to restart and get i...

Emotion Abbreviated No tone in your voice, No words to be heard, No emotions to be felt, No gestures to be observed, Attention fleeting, Time condensed, Easily distracted, Seemingly entranced, You scan and stare, Unable to look away, Hypnotized by the light, Addicted to the immediacy, When I call your name, You irritatingly look up, With a deer-in-the-headlights stare, Robotic in your emotions, Not knowing how to act, Clueless on what to say, Feeling extreme discomfort, Wanting me to walk away, Hypnotized by the screen, Abbreviated and constant, Unable to speak to me in person, Like the device you hold - emotionless.

Tired of having to abbreviate fifteen consecutive words to a friend through a text message? Tired of contemplating the possibility of typing up to 140 characters on a single tweet in your Twitter account? Contemplate no more! Introducing Twexter - The device that puts both Twitter and texting to shame with how quick and easy it is to use! It's so quick and easy, it has been mistaken for Jason Biggs' character in "American Pie"! Either on your cell phone or computer, simply go to Twexter.com, set up a free account and be on your way to something special! Twexter only accepts abbreviations and affords a member a maximum of six characters per twext. It's time to stop expressing those genuine thoughts and feelings through a long series of abbreviations and grammatically-incorrect sentences so condensed, cavemen refer to them as "Gump Haikus"! Why go through all of that effort? Why spend one minute on a message to a loved one when you can spend a mere 3 secon...

What do they call us? Generation X is it? I just read a brief overview of a book dealing with the reasons that people in my generation are waiting longer to get married. I don't know that I agree with all the reasons, but there were some that clicked. She called it the "me, me, me" generation and people are so caught up with themselves and their needs and wants, that they focus most of their time on themselves. Getting involved in a committed relationship would be too much, unless they add another 24 hours to each day. She also mentioned how everything is quick and easy for this generation and she's right. Cell phones, ipods, playstation and xbox 3's, internet, instant messages, text messages, e-mails. Things are fast and easy. The author also mentioned how Hollywood relationships and movies don't help matters any and she pointed directly toward Tom Cruise as an ideal example. So, if it's not fast and easy, then we're not going to have any of it. Thi...