The Social Media Withdrawal Experiment a Success...Kind of

I attempted this recent Spring Break (March 14th-18th) to completely stay away from Social Media as a trial basis. I was curious if I could keep the Facebook itch in check along with YouTube, Twitter, etc, etc, etc.....

Well, I made it through the Monday through Friday....Kind of...

What I mean is I stayed away from social media, yet I did not stay away from my usual email check, sports news/scores, and all that good stuff. In fact, I think I checked that a little more then usual as a substitute to social media. So there in lies the fact it was a success as I did not Facebook, but still did not shy away from the internet completely. 

Several factors also played into the experiment having several hindrances from being measured completely. I was sick with the stomach bug the first half of the week and also the fact that the week was Spring Break was also a factor. The free time allowed for other activities like lawn work, etc.

Well, at least I can say I accomplished my goal as I let it be known in my Facebook status update....

Honory, Virtue, Integrity....Any of that left?

Have you ever seen the movies or heard the stories, whether fictional or nonfictional based, about knights and moments of chivalrous intention? Often, you hear such dialogue as "live with honor," "die with honor," "you have regained your honor," "hold on to virtue and courage," etc.

We hear such words and phrases about honor, virtue, integrity, chivalry, and others in this category.

The question I'm inquiring is do such moments or attempts in lives of these meanings exist anymore?

I'm not saying someone has to come in and save the day riding on horseback wearing shining armor and all that good stuff. Although, that might be pretty amazing to see. What I'm questioning is do individual people ever try to think about such notions anymore and attempt to live their lives as such?

Do these notions live more with older generations and are they gradually fading, or do they still hopefully exist to continue?

I've questioned this myself as I've seen teenagers and adults at times completely disrespect elders, disrespect peers, disrepect authority, disrepect property, disrespect beliefs, and disrespect their own parents with complete apathy and disdain. The list is continuous.

Now I will give some the slight benefit of the doubt as they were never taught anything slighty resembling virtue. If only bad parents could be punished.

I'm not advocating a return to the medieval era. But I really do hope that men and women will still attempt to live their lives with honor and integrity because, believe me, there will always be younger eyes looking and imitating. Of course no one is perfect and we all stumble, but remember, honor can be regained.

Live with honor.

Give

Do we ever fall into the category of "what can someone do for me?"

Or do we fall into the category of "what can I do for others?"

Simply imagine if you could do something worthwhile for someone else, no matter how small or minuscule your action or words may be.

I believe such decisions are not made enough by people nowadays, myself included. Too many times, we always want what others can do for us, and even take such notions for granted sometimes.

This story (you must read...too good to be paraphrased) is a prime example and inspiration of taking time to help others and simply lighten up their life.

PLEASE READ....

http://news.yahoo.com/s/yblog_thelookout/20110308/ts_yblog_thelookout/wish-comes-true-for-cancer-stricken-10-year-old-inducted-into-army

The Withdrawal Experiment

I'm curious about something a large population of the world uses on a daily basis and wondering if I have the stamina, willpower, and ability to go without it for a period of time....

No, it isn't food of some sort, television, etc...

It's a little known entity called Facebook....You may have heard of it.

Now I'm not protesting Facebook or trying to deface the global social network in any form whatsoever, like that can actually happen.

I'm just doing a little experiment and trial of my own. The reason is I've fallen into the group of loyal Facebook users where I think I check it on the hour each day. So, I'm just wondering if I can go for some time without it. I've also given the challenge to one of my English Labs I teach on Tuesday night. I informed the students to attempt a period where they do not use Facebook. My instructions were simple. If they can only go 5 minutes without it, and they get the Facebook itch, then by all means sign on. If they can go longer, just as well. I plan to have a critical writing after we return from Spring Break where they respond to this experience. So, I figured I'll try the withdrawal myself.

My goal is to start small. Starting next Monday, March 14th, I will be absent from the Facebook world. If I'm able to go the entire 24 hours, I will attempt to add Tuesday into the time of Facebook withdrawal, and so on. The simple goal is an entire week away from the world of social networking. I'm intrigued to know how much I may be out of the loop of happenings and news in the lives of family and friends in the matter of 24 hours or a whole week.

So, starting Monday, March 14th, in case you really need to get in contact with me, please give me a good ol' fashion phonecall.

Here's to the withdrawal experiment!

Whatever, you know!

I am an advocate for education and truly believe a great (even good) education can immensely impact the lives of youth in a positive and profound way.

Now, I know that judging someone from the outside is one of the worst ways to ever perceive someone. I'm guilty of it too often and definitely know better as I try my best to not live by this notion. Yet, too often in today's world, I wonder if young people are placing themselves in these preconceived positions of judgement simply by their own oral speech. Here's my point on this topic.

Imagine a student just about to leave high school for the rich and fruitful pastures of college and a grand attempt at higher education. This student has top level grades and credentials. But, then you hear the student speak and the first thing you hear is "Well he/she said blah, blah, blah, and I was like whatever, you know....."....or another example...."Hey, you know that thing we talked about in class, you know what I'm saying".....

Unfortunately, this is not an exaggeration of such particular situations. Sadly, this point of speech is all to common among youth. A form of speech which lacks clarity, purpose, subject content (the word "thing" replacing subjects/topics), expects others to know what they are talking about ("you know what I'm saying" and "you know")etc., is being driven hard into speech nowadays. Yet, this isn't a speech that is being driven by learning it. This speech is youth not learning, not attempting, or simply not knowing how to orally communicate.

It doesn't matter if youth are comfortable talking in such speech with one another or with older folks. The simply matter of fact is they are too comfortable with it as a normal way of communicating.

I'm not asking everyone to all of a suddent talk like an English professor or perfectly proper (if there is such an existence). All I'm asking for is speech that is spoken with conviction, purpose, clarity, etc.

Maybe, a class on the subject of Writing needs to be incorporated into high school as a class wholly unto itself. Or maybe Speech class needs to be modified. I still believe education to be a basis for this and haven't lost hope. Well, whatever.....

Possible return of Legendary Soccer Club, New York Cosmos

For soccer fans in the United States, can you imagine the world's best soccer players playing in MLS? Imagine if people like Lionel Messi, Xavi, Kaka, Ronaldo, and others came to play in the United States. Just imagine. 

In fact, it already happened here during the era of the North American Soccer League from 1968-1984, before the league went under. Probably the most famous player ever, if not the most famous, is Pele. Well, yes, he played for the New York Cosmos of the NASL. And his teammate was Franz Beckenbauer. Yes, that Franz. They, and other famous players of the time, made the New York Cosmos a legendary name in soccer history. Unfortunately, the league did not last.

But, the New York Cosmos' franchise is looking to be brought back, even if in name and logo only, to hopefully one day be a rival team of the New York Red Bulls in MLS. Already, the famous retired American national, Cobi Jones, has left the Los Angeles Galaxy as an assistant coach to be named associate director of soccer and the club's ambassador. The Cosmos already have youth academies in full action. Englishman, Paul Kemsley, a former executive of Premier League club, Tottenham, is the man behind the efforts to revive this famous franchise.

Here's to hoping it happens...If wanting to know more about the New York Cosmos, here's a video on the offical website....

http://www.nycosmos.com/legacy/

We really are a country of immigrants....Amazing diversity

As I'm sure it's quite obvious right now, I'm a passionate soccer fan. And after observing news on the United States National Team, I noticed something that is very intriguing and has been mentioned for so long now here in this country. We truly are a country of immigrants and it is so incredible how diverse are our ethnic and national backgrounds. The United States Men's National Soccer Team is a perfect example....

Here's a list of many of players whom have chosen to represent the United States in soccer and have dual backgrounds of nationality....


Alejandro Bedoya-Columbian parents.

Juan Agudelo-Columbian parents.

Jozy Altidore-Haitian parents.

Jonathan Bornstein-Jewish father and Mexican mother.

Teal Bunbury-Canadian father and American mother.

Mikkel Diskerud-Norwegian born American.

Benny Feilhaber-Born in Brazil....Parents have Jewish background from Europe.

Jermaine Jones-Mother is German and father is American....Represented Germany on national level before making a one-time allowed switch to permanently represent the United States.

Edgar Castillo-Has a Mexican-American background....Represented Mexico on national level before making a one-time allowed switch to permanently represent the United States.

Sacha Klijestan-Father is Serbian from Bosnia.

Eric Lichaj-Parents are from Poland.

Oguchi Onyewu-Parents are from Nigeria.

Jose Francisco Torres-Mexican father and American mother.


Well, there you have it. Each of the these players on the United States Men's National Soccer Team come from different backgrounds and are a perfect example of how amazingly diverse our nation is.