July 23, 2019

Three Stars: Online Reviews

the importance of online reviews

In a summer full of invigorating sightseeing, long books, and copious free time, I have developed a new interest: online reviews. Yes, I understand that I could pursue a more productive ‘thought hobby’. For example, I could research a war or reading about astrophysics. But two things I have been doing a lot this year are traveling and writing (see reminder post here). Both place huge importance in the online review culture. And I find the nonsense of it all compellingly attractive. In our society you can online review anything, from the complete works of William Shakespeare (3.8 stars) to a t-shirt with three wolves howling at the moon (4.4…

June 4, 2018

Insta-fabulous

I probably spend too much time on Instagram.  Like in a “I’m-worried-I-need-glasses-now” kind of way. Why? You are dying to know! Why I Spend Too Much Time on Instagram First, as a teacher of the “pictures-are-the-new-books” generation, I think it’s fascinating how people use social media to communicate with each other.  Second, I’m always curious what my students are doing smiling into their laps all day long while they pretend attempt to listen to me. Third, as a single-platform-social-media kind of girl, it’s the only thing I keep on my phone. So…I spend a lot of time lurking around, scrolling through the photos of people I haven’t spoken to in years…

August 28, 2015

Word of the Day

To describe the word of the day

You know that super-satisfying feeling you get when you learn a new phrase or word of the day that helps to describe a situation in life?  For example: Word of the Day Examples FOMO “I hate “The Bachelor”, but I get FOMO when I don’t go to girls night” Food Baby“I can’t fit in my new dress because I’m pregnant with my food baby” First World Problems“Friend 1: Waiting for the cable guy sucks!Friend 2: Genocide sucks.  Waiting for the cable guy is a total first world problem” I love discovering these words that help me to explain my life.  My feelings get lonely when I can’t describe them.  Today I…

May 22, 2015

Emojis I Wish Existed

Emojis are life

A quick Friday list of emojis I wish existed: 10) Screaming face.  Even a screaming baby would be pretty good.  For those days when you want to convey that you just can’t deal. 9) Troll.  Very descriptive for both people and situations. 8) Rolling eyes.  Maybe this would work if the eyes were looking up and off in the same direction?  See Liz Lemon photo. I would use it at least once a day. 7) Pedicure.  TOTALLY different than manicure and deserves it own emoji.  Also, it would then be easier to convey the concept of a “fish pedicure”. 6) The finger.  There is a thumbs-up. How often do you…

April 28, 2015

Benefits and Drawbacks of Facebook

neon facebook likes sign

Disclaimer: As a relatively paranoid person, I’m inclined towards lots of deep thoughts on the benefits and drawbacks of social media like Facebook.   Disclaimer 2: I don’t go on Facebook much. After a breakup several years ago that involved some “extracurricular” Facebook-inspired sex (not on my part, mind you, but I consider it a major drawback of Facebook all the same) I sort of lost faith in the institutions of mainstream social media. Because hey, it turns out a lot of people use Facebook for bad sex, and ex-stalking, and a myriad of other non-fabulous activities that I generally do not have time for. So without further ado, here…