Categories
Opinion

Look at the Pretty Pictures!

GOTCHA!

This post will not be filled with pictures, pretty, cute, or otherwise. Instead, I will be throwing words at your eyes.

Over the last few years, I’ve noticed a growing trend that pictures are the way to go when you want to share just about anything online. From weekend party updates to jokes to that inspirational quote by the Dali Lama in a picture next to a picture of the Dali Lama (did that quote really become more powerful because it’s in JPEG format?), it’s quickly becoming the de facto method of information sharing on social networks. However, the trend cannot be overlooked by the fact that entire social networks like Instagram and Pinterest have been built around photo sharing. Sites and mobile applications are putting increasing focus and efforts into viewing beautiful photos. Everything we do must be photographed and shared with all the world. Right?

Words are a distant second place to our eyes and minds. But why?

Perhaps it is true that a picture is worth a thousand words. Yet for every image we share, I highly doubt it’s replacing 1000 words we would’ve written out instead. So why the enhanced focus on photo sharing in culture? Are words losing their power? Do photos better convey our message?  I’ve wondered if we’ve become too “busy” to mentally process sentences and ideas. A better way to say it is we’re becoming lazy. I fear we’re becoming dumber combined with laziness when it comes to how we process information. Are we unwilling to put in the time to understand the written word, especially when it’s longer than a few paragraphs? Will we (continue to) lose our ability to think critically if all we ever present ourselves with are images and short phrases overlayed on said images? Not all ideas can be expressed in short sentences and photos.

I will confess part of my questioning and challenge of the Pretty Picture/Shiny Things Syndrome comes out of a time when the Internet was about sharing information in a textual format and when bandwidth was scarce and something to be used cautiously lest you sit and wait minutes or hours for your content to download (and you liked it!) I was raised to take in information in word format. Pictures and graphs were exciting things you found in your copy of Microsoft Encarta when you wrote high school papers.

It is no secret the proliferation of higher speed Internet everywhere we go makes photo sharing more enticing that quick text status updates. It has also given us the ability to share images of whatever we’re eating whenever we want (guilty!) But do they tell a better story, particularly in the long term? Moreover, will the original message still be there years later? Maybe this is a small part of why I got back into more book reading in the past year and a half.

Admittedly, I struggled with this whole topic and whether or not there’s any reason to argue against it. My enjoyment of humorous pics will not lessen anytime soon, nor will I likely slow down my own photo sharing. Sometimes words truly can’t capture the essence of nachos all over your car at 3AM on a Saturday night. However, trying to share your opinion through some political or inspirational image with a quote on it will not be telling me much about your own thoughts unless you provide it in your own words.

 

Categories
Musings

Longevity and Loyalty

This month marked my 12 year anniversary with the same company I started working for when I graduated college. In fact, they actually found me through my school’s career center. I’m living proof that the system can help! I’ll be the first to say that it’s quite the feat in a time where it’s not uncommon to have 3-6 different jobs by this time after graduating. While there are also benefits to being in new environments and learning to adapt to different scenarios and people, the longevity with my surroundings meshes very well with my personality. Confidence rises along with the strength of my knowledge and most importantly with the people who have been there just as long. Recollecting stories and projects from years past and reflecting on how events have shifted and changed us creates a large sense of meaning and purpose.

It’s the change within with the consistency that I think I enjoy the most. Too often I think people prefer the quicker option of moving on to something new and different and define that action as the only way to create significant change in their lives. While that certainly works, there is an immense challenge and ultimate satisfaction in sticking it out. Seeing a person’s perspective or ideas change over time as you interact, and vice versa, is amazing to watch. Seeing work processes change for the better (e.g. efficiency, profit, new services) is fun. I love having that conversation of “remember when we only did X and now we can do Y and Z because we pushed ourselves?” Newcomers into an organization or group of friends won’t fully understand until they’ve been around a while and experience similar things.

June also brought with it the wedding of one of my closest friends. I was honored to be called upon for best man duties. As many know, one specific responsibility is to write and give the best man speech at the wedding reception. I didn’t bring any tears with what I said, but in preparing for it, I reminisced about a friendship that has spanned over two decades of my life. There’s something incredibly special about that type of longevity with anything in life.

The challenge to be loyal to just about anything these days is difficult. (It wouldn’t be a challenge otherwise, right?) But with the right people, friends, jobs, etc., the effort required to maintain that connection and work through the tough times can yield a joy and contentment that is difficult to find jumping from one thing to another.

Categories
Musings

Nonstop Entertainment

Something became apparent to me a while ago I was watching too much HGTV. (I’m now working to limit that channel viewing. It sucks up too much time.) I had the best intentions of trying to pick up some design cues and ideas for my own home as I had work done, like bathrooms, flooring, painting, etc. A couple phrases, usually uttered by “normal people” searching for a home or having theirs remodeled, constantly caught my attention and got me thinking recently:

  • “I want/love the open concept!”
  • “This will be great for entertaining” or “I really need a space to be able to entertain”

What was it about this ideal that is so appealing and apparently universal to all American families that we all must have these huge open concept main floors and spaces to entertain all our friends and family? Why did this become such an important facet of our personal lives? When did homes become a stage instead of a place to be with family and friends?

Practically speaking, I get the tangible benefits of big open spaces for parties and get togethers. Nobody should feel crowded, navigating a room isn’t hard because there’s lots of room, 50 people can all watch the game on the big screen TV at once without feeling cramped and everyone feels like they’re together. Though my favorite reason, from shows anyway, is that whoever is in the kitchen can “entertain” while they prepare things and continue to interact with their guests. Or that the backyard is “perfect for entertaining.” I never realized this element was lacking in all our lives before. The question that really keeps gnawing at me now though is:

Why do we need to be entertaining all the time?

The word choice I believe is key and signals this shift in our culture which has been evolving for quite some time. It’s no longer enough to have people over and enjoy their company and conversation. We are being told we are to put on a show; we are a host and must ensure our guests have maximum enjoyment during their stay. Our personalities and parties must be fun and exciting. It simply isn’t enough to just… be.

I am not a natural entertainer. I can be a good host and usually remember to ask friends who come over if they want something to drink. Usually. As an introvert, my desire is to spend quality time with people in whatever setting that may be. I think what is lacking in these types of home designs are cozy nooks and rooms that facilitate and create a sense of closeness, both figuratively and literally. The furniture may be situated closer together or a couch may just be smaller because the room isn’t humongous. While I like and enjoy larger homes, I also love finding those small spaces or nooks within that larger space to hide away and be on my own or with one or two other people for a more intimate conversation. This desire also ties in with what I like about being last at the party. It also doesn’t provide  that stage where I’m always visible and therefore (visually) accessible. Cozy surroundings create atmospheres that better facilitate conversation that goes beyond the weather and sports.

What does this mean for home design or our incessant need for everything and everyone to entertain? I don’t know. It’s something I need to ponder a bit more to understand how any fundamental shift in either would alter my life and the circles I’m in. This topic demands more time for processing and questions about our status quo and about what should change.

Categories
Musings

Introversion

It’s no secret that I am an introvert. Before the first time I took a Myers-Briggs personality profile test back in my senior year of high school, it was quite obvious (to me) that I wasn’t that guy who craved all the attention of the party or always needed to be around others to be content. I find I usually can more fully and more clearly express myself in written word. I have an inner circle of friends that are close to me and I would rather spend lots of time with them than short bursts of time with strangers or acquaintances at a party small talking about the weather.

While I’ve had an intellectual fascination about personality profiles to better understand myself and others for quite some time, this interest has been piqued again recently by a TED talk I ran across almost 2 months ago. Susan Cain gives a fantastic talk on Introverts and why they are so important to our world. It inspired me to go out and buy her book, “Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can’t Stop Talking“. I’ve been reading it only since last weekend and I have been challenged to rethink so much of the world around me and reevaluate the social structures I’m a part of and question if they are ideal. The book (so far) has me processing how I as an introvert tap into my leadership skills and style, particularly as I constantly evaluate how to best manage an IT department full of unique people, skills, and personalities. It also ties in well with my intent to focus on leadership this year.

Expect more response to this topic and various subtopics as I continue throughout the book and process my thoughts on the matter. I encourage anyone reading this to take some time to watch and listen to Susan’s TED talk, embedded below. I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments section below.

Categories
Opinion

I Complain, but Only Socially

There may be some irony in writing about my issues with people who complain online, much like those people who are online for the days leading up to Lent broadcasting their giving up of Facebook/Twitter/Pinterest/something online. My hope is to share my reflections on all the complaining I read online.

What is your purpose in sharing with everyone that you can’t stand your boss or how tired you are because you stayed out too late last night? Attention? Advice? (Hint: Probably the former in almost all situations.)The ability to share has become so easy and readily available that we often fail to filter our thoughts properly – or at all. It’s one thing to vent to a couple friends over a drink at a bar. It’s more private. It’s conversational. Your friends can corroborate with you in real time. You can banter back and forth. But most of all, your friends can speak (or smack) sense into you if you sound like an idiot.

When you examine someone’s stream of consciousness on Facebook or Twitter, for example, take note of overall themes of content. Is the content focused on a certain topic? Or is it completely random? But perhaps most interestingly, what vibe does it give off? I have a few friends on Facebook and some I follow on Twitter who seem to find it difficult to find positive things to say. I often wonder why they choose to share the things they do on such a consistent basis. After a while, it gets really old and nobody wants to hear it anymore.

I also wonder if those who do complain about themselves or everything else in the world really think it’s so terrible that all that’s left to try and feel better is vent about everything online. By the way, this also works well in the “I can’t sleep so I’m here on Facebook” or “should be doing something else more important than Facebook, but am on Facebook” situations. Pro-tip: Facebook friends will not help you sleep or get back on task. Ever.

Though perhaps I take the biggest issue with those who complain merely to complain. Don’t mistake me for someone who think you should bottle up everything that bothers you. The problem comes in when venting or complaining is happening strictly for the sake of itself. Have a problem with your workout schedule or lack thereof? Start going to the gym, running outside, or otherwise get off your butt. Spending too much time on social networks? Spend less time on them! Got a beef with something the government is doing? Sure we can talk about it, but if you want to try and be part of the solution, contact your representative and make your voice heard. Besides, I’m pretty sure those pictures you share on Facebook that have some slam or inspirational quote about how government should be something it currently isn’t has little to no effect on the actual government.

My main point is this: if you’re going to point out flaws in something, at least put the energy into finding or being part of the solution. Otherwise, I’m not really sure what your point is in making a big fuss over it. It’s a waste of energy and time that could be better spent doing something else.

 

 

 

Categories
House

Bathroom Renovation Part Deux

It’s a new year in Myrtle Estates and that means more renovations! This year’s primary project was the main house bathroom. It was mostly functional, but the florescent light fixture was beginning to show its age, a few tiles in the  tub area were starting to come away from the walls, and the lack of a vent was beginning to be a bigger problem. I left it to the same team who renovated/upgraded the master bathroom at RNP Construction to help me out again. Again, they did not disappoint!

This year I decided not to post incessantly about the progress and limited it to one post with before and after photos. Enjoy!

 

A view from the hallway. Feels like stepping back into time, doesn’t it?

A better view of the old 3-piece mirror setup, bad lighting and bulkhead above the shower taking up space for no reason.

Goodbye, bathroom! The pink tub makes its final stand before the sledgehammer came in. (Those photos were not safe for the web.)

That’s better! Deep tub, new tile, paint color, sink, mirror, lighting, vent. Does it get any better? The “floating” vanity may be one of my favorite things in here.

A view from night time.

This year’s project funded in (large) part by the IRS. Thank you for returning some money to me after holding it in 2011.

Categories
Random

Running and Discipline

My last post was the beginning of this new focused journey on running and preparing myself for the Shamrock Shuffle at the end of March. I’m 3 weeks into the training and I’m learning – or re-learning – some lessons.

Discipline, accountability and consistency is key. When I first started, the trainer asked me how many days a week I planned on committing to. I said 3 was realistic. Even now, that is a good limit for me and my current schedule. (Yes, even single people can have a lot going on, right Joy?) But really, without this defined schedule in place, it’s highly unlikely I would’ve mustered up enough motivation and energy to go this often. And this with something I want to be ready to do!

It’s also not easy to say no to a workout when you are being held accountable by someone to going and them asking you the following week how the workouts went. When I have to look someone in the eye and tell them I did or didn’t make the workout, I want to truthfully tell them I did it. I’m finding having the accountability of the trainer incredibly helpful, even if my wallet doesn’t always agree.

All this comes down to discipline. Without it, the Shamrock Shuffle 8K would probably be a frustrating experience. Instead, I am building myself up, stretching myself (literally and figuratively) and pushing my limits each time I workout. I’m seeing the benefits of it even through the pain. What’s most revealing is how other parts of life are holding me back. Eating poorly has a more direct impact on my workouts, as does a lack of quality sleep. I’m always amazed at how interconnected life is even at the individual level. This time is providing some great life lessons that are extending well beyond the initial goal of being able to run an 8K race. I’ll continue to share my thoughts as they are cohesive enough for consumption.

 

Categories
Random

I Decided to Run in a Race

After a few years of getting into running and not wheezing my way through every step, I’ve begun to actually enjoy it as an exercise activity. This year, I’ve decided that I was going to run in at least one race. The first one will be the Shamrock Shuffle 8K on March 25th. It’s just shy of 5 miles, which I’ve never run all at once before – or maybe even in total on one day.

As with everything else in life lately, being ready for this race is going to require some planning. I’m going to meet with a personal trainer from my gym. He is working on a balanced training plan that will help me focus on the distance, but also make sure I don’t forget to do things like weight lifting to strengthen my core and other supporting muscles. We’re going to meet once a month to track progress, tweak the plan, and just see how things are going. These things are necessary if I expect to succeed on race day.

I’m excited about this new venture, small as it may be in the world of running. I have no grandiose dreams of being first or doing anything faster than a 9 minute pace for this event. But the goal of completion will be huge for me. Perhaps I’ll even do more events later this year.