I think the picture says it all … and yes mom – I’ll send you a copy. oxox

I think the picture says it all … and yes mom – I’ll send you a copy. oxox

Ok – so today is supposed to be my LAST 200 words about online communities but BEFORE we get to it (cuz I know you’re all like SUPER DUPER EXCITED about it) I want to show you what I woke up to this morning.
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PltMz1gQBJM[/youtube]
CRRAAAZZZYYY! I’ve seen the world glow before. A bright moonlit night with snow all around makes for a stunning BRIGHT night. But glowing red, orange and sometimes blood orange? Today was a first. Definitely a wow!
Ok so I’ve come to realize that online communities and our identities within online communities are complicated topics!!! There’s no way we could really have a full blown conversation about it in only 200 words per pop. But hey – it’s the effort that counts right? :) Thanks to the commentors (scoMan, dave, ebonyJewel and MattyMatt) for commenting!!! It’s always great to hear others’ insight!!
And for those of you who I have no doubt WANTED to comment deep down in your heart (which is everyone else i.e MOM, TIM, ALEXIS, SCOTT and all of my other bloggy friends) thank you ALSO because life is more fun with family and bloggy friends!!! :) ) Oh and it’s not too late to throw in your 2 cents because I’ve decided to write my final paper in a different class on this topic. :)
Down to bizness.
(btw anyone notice that I did part NUMBER 5 or part NUMBER 4? LOL I did it just to be silly. I am fully aware, thank you, that it SHOULD be part 5 or just #5. hee hee)
I’ve decided that I am fascinated by this topic. 100%. Our world is becoming more and more digital every day. We move to online communities more and more every day. Our selves, our identities, and our culture are all being impacted by this change. And though I suppose our identities, cultures and selves always change, I think it’s important to recognize the significance of online avatars/identities and how this increase in control over image may affect our core definitions.
I took this opportunity to round up some (only 3 because most of them were dumb) quotes on self image.
1“The ”self-image” is the key to human personality and human behavior. Change the self image and you change the personality and the behavior.”
2“Our self image, strongly held, essentially determines what we become”
Maxwell Maltz quotes (US plastic surgeon, motivational author, and creator of the Psycho-Cybernetics, 1927-2003)
3“If you wake up at a different time, in a different place, could you wake up as a different person?” ![]()
Chuck Palahniuk quotes (American freelance Journalist, Satirist and Novelist. b.1961)
I suppose one interesting thing about networks and identities is they change with time. As I meet and become connected with more people, my network grows. As my connections meet and become connected with more people, my network grows. As my identity is tried and tested with time, it evolves and takes stronger shape. I don’t believe we can STOP a network or an identity. We may take on new layers, new directions and new flavors, but the network around us and our identity (regardless of how many we choose to have) all overlap a bit with each other. We can’t go backward – only forward.
You should PROLLY listen to the song at the bottom of this post while you read this :) or not.

Hmm … I think a bullet point list ought to do. YAY!!! a LIST!!! Wahoo!!!
And the best part?? The pills don’t even really work! And thanks to the Dr. I went from a 6 on the Frowny Face scale to a whopping 8.8!!! He said “Can you move your head like this?” and then proceeded to move my head BEFORE I COULD REACT and then YOWSERS!! 8.8 on the Frowny Scale. The pill brought me back down to an 8 but I’d say a -0.8 reduction does NOT speak highly of the medicine.
Nighty night!!
oh and p.s. #3 has a new GF and – well – you ALL know what I won’t say right about now. But what I WILL say is that they look really cute together!! :) And it appears those french fries that #3 told me I wasn’t allowed to eat because he was afraid I’d PORK OUT have landed smack dab on his hips while all that extra alkeehall he drinks now that his partner drinks with him has landed squarely (or should I say roundly?) on his belly. HAHAHA! Karma’s a be-otch!
SNAP! I know I shouldn’t point fingers while I’m eating a bag of M&Ms – but seriously – you try being a space cadet while having EIGHT degrees of frown all up in your neck.
Violent Femmes – Blister in the Sun
omgosh – just KIDDING?? What is that?? it’s a foreign language!! Let’s try this one instead …
photo by John Fraissinet’s under a CC license
photo by Joseph Robertson under a CC licenseNo joke. I’m not kidding you. AT ALL. Walking down a sidewalk in Sydney’s CBD when it’s raining and you’re wearing normal flippy floppies (or thongs for all you Aussies) is MORE SLIPPERY than walking along an icy sidewalk in heels. And believe me – I have experience with both.
Normal sidewalks? No problem. The rain can’t get ME down. But a sidewalk in the city? or in the central business district? or just anywhere non-residential? WATCH OUT FOR YOUR LIFE!!! If you don’t have kick-A traction on the soles of your shoes – you are going DOWN – flat on your rear. Or if you have the powers of grace (like me hee hee) you’ll just slide around and look like you’re ice-skating for the first time.
I guess the good news is I get to feel like I’m dancing in the rain – a nice slippery smooth dance. and really … if it weren’t for my flailing arms trying to keep balance – I’d probably be mistaken for a fairytale ballerina.
photo by ME :)Song by Tegan and Sara “Back in your head” (Tiesto remix)