The New York Times put out an interesting article this morning in the business section:  http://www.nytimes.com/2009/11/28/technology/28twitter.html?_r=1&ref=business

I mention business section because the article discusses how Twitter has become essentially, just another influential marketing and advertisement tool to engage customers. The article cites retail monsters such as Best Buy and Macys as using Twitter to give instant updates to customers regarding in-store sales, shopping strategies, or even responding to a customers personal ”tweet.” In other words, say Joe the Plumber, who loves shopping for bathroom fixtures, writes a post on his Twitter account that he can’t seem to get the right colored toilet for his new dream home. He might get a reply back from a Home Depot salesperson saying that they have just what he is looking for. Instant retail-consumer satisfaction. Oh Yeah.

From the retailers/business point of view, Twitter and even Facebook are ingenous for promotingthemselves and helping sales. Its just another, and FREE mind you, way of attracting the vulnerable minds that are easily influenced by flashy numbers and an offer of a discount–hence the craze that is Black Friday. Its a day completely dictated by retail businesses without any legitimacy whatsover. I could write endlessly about how fucked up Black Friday is, but I won’t.

What this concept of business’s reaching their hand into the social websites calls to mind is that expression president Bush was so famous for screwing up: “fool me once, shame on you, fool me twice, shame on me” (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Ux3DKxxFoM). Essentially, the retail monsters are so manipulative, so good at fooling customers into thinking that they need such and such product, that it really is “shame on you.” We are dealing with, more than ever, a mind-controlling consumerism that is being dictated by crafty television adverts, endless ad pop-ups when we peruse the internet, and constant paper ads  be it in a magazine, newspaper, or on a street sign somewhere. The fact of the matter is, main stream retailers are so influential and so far reaching that to allow them into the oversized world of Twitter and Facebook to me just seems “shameful.” Or we might ask, “have these companies no shame?”

Best Buy, Walmart, whomever, are preying on our weak malleable minds and now doing so through the greatest social networking sites this country has ever seen. So say at first Best Buy only took out ads in certain cities and certain magazines–ultimately limiting its reach somewhat. Now, through Twitter, anyone, anywhere could see that its offering 2o percent off on all LCD tvs around the country, and bam, instantly, Best Buy has advertised across America.

If I were a retalier, i’m not going to lie, I would too probably want in on this delicious pie. Its too easy to reach out and grab the customers minds and steer them towards out great store. As I said before, shame on the businesses for using these tools to their advantage for they are already so ruthless in their marketing tactics. But fool us, t00, the consumers, for falling prey and allowing this retailers further influence. This is the inevitable horrible influence of a twitter and facebook. What were once tools for the common socialite, just trying to keep up with friends, have become weapons for massively influential world retailers.

So next time you want to tweet about how your Ipod never works, be careful, because Apple could be reading!!! They  may not let you in on their offer about half-price Iphones…

Ok…ma gandeam (adica as avea intentia ) sa scriu despre ceva, dar nu am idee despre ce…nimic nou pana aici, singurul meu neuron e in vacanta. Deci, pauza de tigara…in speranta ca voi gasi un subiect cat de cat ok despre care sa scriu.

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Azi am tendinta de a ma victimiza cam din orice, ceea ce nu e foarte ok pentru ca urasc auto-victimizarea si victimizarea celor din jur, doar de dragul de a ne victimiza. Ne cam place sa ne chinuim singuri si sa-i chinuim pe cei din jur asa aiurea… In timp ce fumam ma gandeam la perioada in care am fost si eu copil. Pe atunci (asta suna ceva de genul: “pe vremea mea…” ) ) pictam icoane pe sticla, scriam poezii si incercam sa scriu povesti pentru copii. Pe la 14 ani, totul s-a oprit… Bineinteles ca toatea astea au ajuns la gunoi pentru ca asa am considerat eu atunci. Oare pe unde a disparut creativitatea aia? Acum…am doar haos in cap si un neuron care se plimba singur pe acolo. Nici macar nu sunt in stare sa ma obosesc sa gasesc ceva creativ de care sa ma apuc. Deci sunt cam tuta in perioada asta, dar sper ca imi voi reveni curand

There are lots of things right now that are going on in my head. Lot’s of things to think about. Lot’s to worry about. As I listen to Marianelli’s Elegy for Dunkirk the terrible feelings that I have seem to become more aggravated. Everything seems to be in a blur. I wanted to let it all out, for just at least once, cry over things that I have hidden for years but then it seems to me that I still can’t let go of my emotions. I still cannot just let it all go from the inside of me.

If you were just mine…

Those words that suck.

If and only if. I remember my geometry teacher way back then in highschool saying everyday.

If we are together. If you just return my letter. If you could just love me, Then probably I wouldn’t write these all down.

Bitter, they say. You would just have to let go and move on, another thing they would say. Find another one that can love you back. Find someone else and then what happens next? It would just lead me back to where I started.

People fall in love believing that there is a happy ending or a happily ever after. I tried to believe in such things yet as time passes by, I have nearly if not totally lost my faith in it.

If you will just hold my hand once again just like we once did…

How long would I have to lie to myself that there can still be a way for us…

When in fact, we can never be?

which is why i had to make them today. i used my new mushroom brush-what a great little device! i sauteed brussels sprouts, one onion, shitake & crimini mushrooms in butter & topped with smoked gouda cheese. i whipped the eggs up with some light cream, salted it & gave it a shot. i expected it to turn into a scramble-the way it usually goes for me when i attempt to prepare an omelet. they were SO good the colonel actually ate 2! that’s 6 eggs! i guess i AM good at making omelets

Friday. The Cat is away, The new bookkeeper comes in, I get to get a haircut after work, and then I pack a bag and go to The Boy’s house to spend the night. I’m going out with him early tomorrow so…slumber party tonight!

I just took my last Cipro and will finish the Keflex later today. I can’t wait because I hate feeling like I’m going to yarf. This morning, I am REALLY fighting it. And… I just lost THAT battle. Damn it. Yarf City. At least the waves are passing.

Last night The Girl and her father had SEB over after their day. I think it was too soon and they should have waited till he wasn’t living under MY roof, but no one asks me what the fuck I think so I don’t give a shit what the outcome is. I understand her wanting Jack to meet SEB. She still believes he can be normal. It is unfortunate that when dealing with Jack, AS IN ASS, everyone has to lie. This is why I think they should have waited. When he wants to push to give SEB a ride home to another part of the city they lied that he lives in, it is going to get sticky. Make no mistake about it, he is going to want to know SEB and be intimately involved in his life since he is dating his 18-year-old daughter.

He is not done sniffing SEB out yet.

I hope by the time he figures out what is going on, I have moved. Things with SEB and me fell apart weeks ago and it has driven a huge wedge between my family and me. He is fine with that, my daughter is fine with that, and I’m leaving. Had I known this is how all of this was going to play out, I’d never have moved him in or offered to help him.

I’ve isolated myself. My wall is going up and I’m getting hard again. Until she decides she and I are important, I’m done trying to work on things. She has made her choice and I can only accept it. I have decided the best thing for me to do is go on with the other areas of my life. It doesn’t all stop and revolve around The Girl. I have to matter too. If I have learned ANYTHING the last year, it has been how unkind I have been to myself the last decade.

That stops. I’m not trying to be mean to other people, but people have gotten used to how I have let myself be a doormat. It just stops. My life, my wants, my desires, my moments come first.

Taylor Lautner is a hollywood actor who shocked the world by his acting in Twilight Saga. He’s handsome for Pucci’s sake!

Here’s some of Taylor Lautner’s images and see what do you think about him, OH LOOOVE!

OH GOSH MY LOOVE

Adorable Mr. Lautner

Ms. Swift won't have any chance to date him. HE'S TOTALLY MINE!

MY GOSH!

XOXO,

Adelia

..am fost sa pregatesc expozitia.  Am terminat de aranjat tarziu.. si asta doar cu ajutorul celorlalti, caci daca trebuia sa fac asta singura, nu cred ca mai terminam vre-odata. E drept ca am ajuns si ultima, si ca, eu fiind foarte tipicara, vroiam ca aia sa stea asa, si lumina aia sa bata din alt unghi, si aia nu da bine acolo…iar cealalta … Uff..  Sincer cand am plecat de acolo, cu suturi in fund – ca vroia lumea sa ajunga pe la casile lor,  eu mai aveam putin si plangeam de suparare ca nu-mi placea cum erau aranjate exponatele mele.  Ma rog, macar le-am aranjat, oarecum.

Sambata seara trebuie sa mergem toti sa stabilim ultimele detalii…si sper ca macar atunci sa fiu multumita de cum arata..

Duminica Vernisaj!!!!!!!

Am emotii, e prima mea expozitie.  Ceilalti ( e o expozitie de grup) mai au ceva experienta.. dar la mine e prima.. Eu insa  am si niste chestii mai ciudatele, creatii proprii 100%. Nia imi spunea ieri sa fiu pregatite pentru orice fel de comentarii..mai ales negative.. Ma rog, nu toata lumea pricepe “arta”

Nu ca expozitia asta ar fi ceva de viata si de moarte…si nici nu o sa am parte de cine stie ce mare salt, dar asa..ca e prima data. O sa vina oameni multisori, “colegi” mai experimentati pe care ii admir, (si eu expun alaturi de ei ), televiziune, ziare… Nu e extrem de mediatizat, dar organizatorul care ne-a invitat sa expunem are ceva conexiuni… A ramas sa facem catalogul de prezentare.. sa-l tiparim sambata.. Si eu o sa incerc sa fac si afisul pentru eveniment…

Totul pe ultima 100m! Asa imi ies mie lucrurile bine, ca daca stau sa le planuiesc si sa le pregatesc din timp, nu iese nimic!

Cette photo date un peu mais je la trouve intéressante parce qu’il se trouve des petits détails amusants. La table en question par exemple est faite de bois russe (dont l’essence m’échappe) et très lourde. Un ami l’avait et ne savait trop que faire de cette retaille alors il m’en a fait cadeau. Elle est tout simplement parfaite pour le dessin. Je lui ai fixé deux soutients à l’arrière pour lui donner un angle. Le crayon sur la table est un Berol Turquoise 6B dont je me sers de temps en temps pour faire des noirs très insistants dans un dessin à la mine. Parlant de mine, on peut voir à droite de la table un paquet de mines Pentel 2B de 0.5mm. Ce sont ces mines qui remplissent exclusivement mon crayon pousse-mine. Le 2B c’est ma mine favorite. On peut lui faire faire n’importe quoi en autant que l’on ait un tant soit peu d’habilité. De plus elle est souple et solide en même temps sans toutefois trop beurrer.

Juste devant les mines y’a un tas de disquettes. En fait elles n’ont rien à voir avec le dessin, j’en faisais le ménage et j’ai oublié de les enlever pour faire la photo. Sept dessins sur la table sont encrés, avec les crayons qui se trouvent dans la tasse à droite (celle avec la grosse face de chat). Parmis ces crayons-encreurs on y retrouve des Pigma Micron ainsi que des Pilot Drawing Pen de différentes tailles. La tasse a été faite dans une boutique de la rue St-Denis par votre humble serviteur. C’est l’endroit qui vous permet de dessiner ce que vous voulez sur les tasses avec du matériel spécialisé. En-dessous de la tasse: plein de dessins et d’esquisses. Devant la table, à peine visible en bas, le ruban adhésif. Ce ruban sert à maintenir en place des dessins lors d’encrage ou de lettrage. Sur la table, en haut à droite, une autre pile de barbots assez variés. Et, finalement, en haut, presqu’au centre; une toute jeune Pénélope qui aimait passer ses soirées là pendant que je noircissais le papier.

]]> http://duagang.wordpress.com/2009/11/27/da%cc%83-quy%cc%80-yeu-th%c6%b0%c6%a1ng/ Fri, 27 Nov 2009 02:07:59 +0000 duagang http://duagang.wordpress.com/2009/11/27/da%cc%83-quy%cc%80-yeu-th%c6%b0%c6%a1ng/ http://nealbinnyc.wordpress.com/2009/11/27/happy-thanksgiving-almost-my-birthday/ Fri, 27 Nov 2009 01:37:46 +0000 nealbinnyc http://nealbinnyc.wordpress.com/2009/11/27/happy-thanksgiving-almost-my-birthday/

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

BLACK FRIDAY HERE I COME!!!!

In my English methods class today (the class in which I am learning how to teach English) my professor was going over different, recurring themes of stories that are tried and tested (and true) for engaging young people. One of the themes was ‘innocence and experience’ and the other was ‘a hero’s journey’.

There are Eight Stages of a Hero’s Journey:

1. Call –> some kind of thing that is a catalyst that begins the journey or the sense/need for change.

2. Separation –> the call demands a movement away from your previous life or existence and forces you over a threshold.

3. Challenges –> with a call and separation comes challenges and difficulties that all cumulate, pile up, and we struggle through them awkwardly.

4. Abyss –> the worst part, feels like doom (like a monster or a demon or a natural disaster or inner turmoil) that we have to face head on; what ever is in the abyss has to be met.

5. Transformed –> post abyss, you are transformed by the fact that you met a challenge that you never, ever thought you would meet. This results in your new self — arguably, results in you becoming who you actually are.

6. Revelation –> you finally begin to understand your world and your self as connect realities, especially since, in a sense, you’ve overcome the world.

7. Atonement –> a prayer and reconciliation with what you went through and reconciliation with yourself.

8. Return –> all true hero’s journeys end with a return to the beginning, in some way, with a gift. The idea behind this is that you can come full circle…returning to the world or your life in the past knowing what you’ve learned from your trip and your real sense of yourself.

(The very best illustration of the Hero’s Journey concept is Lord of the Rings. Think about it)

Anyways, this lesson moved me to tears. I never cry, but I found myself (literally) blubbering like an idiot in the bathroom stall post-class. Why? I am stuck in my own, personal abyss and I can’t seem to move forward and be transformed. We’ve been talking a lot both in some of my classes and some of my relationships about how life, as a student, seems forever on hold. I find myself making excuses or justifying certain things or being lazy about my dreams simply on the grounds that I am a student and everything else will come later. I will be better, later. I will volunteer, later. I will be the victor in my journey, later. Self improvement, changes, confidence, bravery…later. It has to come later.

What on earth am I waiting for? As I study the cyclical understanding of knowledge, I came across something pretty cool:

Jewish thought teaches that humans learn through Question and Answer. Did you know that the word “question” in Hebrew is the same Hebrew word used for “borrow”? Similarly, “answer” shares the same Hebrew term used or “return”. Unless we’re at a highly, deeply transcendent place, all of our knowledge is given and received, borrowed with the expectation of return one day. What we do with what we learn while we have it, while we’re borrowing it, is up to us. That’s pretty neat. It’s also pretty convicting.

I have been struggling for three days over something and while I try and study for my one and only test, this struggle is robbing me of any ability to concentrate or focus on what I need to do. It’s like a dragon I need to fight out of my little abyss (don’t you love that word?) before I can move on.

I think that a hero’s journey is forever changing and forever happening, with connected mini-journeys along the way. Right now I feel like as I keep putting certain things off for later, I am slowly stepping backwards instead of forwards, moving at a pace I never thought I would. There are so many things sitting at my fingertips that I’ve let become routine or ordinary or a part of the world of myself that I never thought I would allow.

It is a battle and on days like today, the fight seems to be burned out and I am confused on how to be the hero in my story when I barely know which way to take my next step as I am unraveling at seams that have been stitched ever so tight.

Maybe it’s about time to quit putting it off, all of it off, no?

Immagine tratta da: http://americathebeautiful.splinder.com/post/21466588

Ehm… Scusi, Presidente Obama, ma le hanno dato il Nobel per la pace, non la Medal of Honor…

Mine: gli Usa non aderiranno a trattato di messa al bando
WASHINGTON – Il presidente americano Barack Obama non ha in programma di aderire al trattato internazionale che mette al bando le mine antiuomo perché una revisione di questo tipo non va incontro alle sue esigenze di sicurezza. Lo ha reso noto il Dipartimento di Stato.
“Questa amministrazione – ha detto Ian Kelly, un portavoce del ministero degli Esteri – dopo aver esaminato una revisione della sua politica ha deciso che per quanto riguarda le mine non intende cambiare nulla. Abbiamo accertato che se firmassimo questo trattato non potremmo venire incontro alle nostre esigenze di difesa interna e dei nostri alleati”.
(Fonte: http://www.tio.ch)

A Thule si ha il massimo rispetto per l’istituzione del premio Nobel, nella quale quello per la pace è sicuramente il più stimabile e ammirato, nonché per il Parlamento Norvegese che ha il compito di decretarne il vincitore… E tutto sommato è anche comprensibile la motivazione per la quale quest’anno è stato conferito al Presidente USA Barack Obama, visto il grande carico di aspettative e speranze che egli rappresenta e di cui si fa’ simbolo planetario…
Però…
Le mine antiuomo sono una delle armi più subdole e sporche: hanno causato 5.197 morti lo scorso anno, un terzo dei quali bambini, stando alle stime diffuse dall’Icbl,organizzazione non governativa vincitrice del premio Nobel per la pace nel 1997 (fonte: Wikipedia). Sarà pur vero che Steve Goose, direttore dell’Arms Division of Human Rights Watch, ha fatto sapere che gli Stati Uniti, in ogni caso, si attengono di fatto alle regole del trattato, avendo smesso di usare le mine antiuomo dalla Guerra del Golfo del 1991, avendo smesso di esportarle dal 1992 e avendone sospeso la produzione dal 1997 (stessa fonte sopra citata): ma allora, per ratificare il trattato che le mette al bando, ci voleva tanto?
Mmmm…

Well I am starting this blog so that I have something to write to the world that I can feel is private from Lexie. I like my xanga, but it is getting a bit old In my eyes and I want something I can just write what I feel, for everybody and nobody.

Please know you have profoundly helped me grow to who I am today (I hope that’s not a bad thing!). I apologize off the bat for the bad grammar. This is a very stream of consciousness letter. I am thankful for so many people this is going to sound like an acceptance speech. If only I had an award to go with it!For some reason, I feel more thankful than ever. Going through a transformation of sorts puts everything in perspective. When I lost my job this past June, I would have never guessed I would have felt more alive and have met some of the most amazing people. I never dreamed I would be on television/radio and also have a blog, which has had to date over 15,000 hits. I am grateful for EVERYONE who visits day after day!

Thank you for following the journey.

If I could tell you one thing –change the world. Go out and make a difference. Stand up for what you believe in. Change someone’s life. We all have amazing stories to tell. Share them.

My blog wouldn’t have gotten off the ground without a few people. My publicist, George, whose idea it was to really go forward and create the blog. He always has a way of staying positive. A special thanks to ALL the people I have interviewed thus far: the wonderful Marti C., single-licious Melissa B, exceptional Jerry Mitchell, incredible forced to be reckoned with Frenchie Davis, life changing activities Ryan Janek Wolowski and Randy Wicker, and uber talents Richard and Dana. Elisa, Will, Angelo and Renee thank you for one point or another for being my camera bitch! There are many more people, so I apologize if I have forgotten you.

Liz S, you are an amazing woman who constantly gives me the chance to do what I love! You always astound me by the types of events you have me cover. Thank you for taking a chance with me!
Julie H. you have such an amazing heart. I never thought in a million years I would be on the Pat Field website! You have really made my year. You see things in me that I have overlooked. I can’t thank you enough for the dream come true it has been and will keep continuing!
Meagan H. – WE WILL GET KATHY!! You are such a joy to know and you never make my crazy idea is well…crazy! You are a great visionary at what you do!

My family has always been my rock. A special shout out to my relatives in PA, who are not only amazing, but I am so blessed to have reconnected with them on Facebook. Though sometimes we seem miles apart, BENNINGTONS know we are NEVER that far. Thanks guys for all the kick ass support!

My other “family” -my friends who have seen my light and my dark, I feel so fortunate to have had the opportunity to see each of you grow and become individuals who make me proud in the way you contribute and choices you make. Each of you has such a special gift. I truly love you all and you have been a place to look for advice, support and unconditional love. You have no clue how much I value all of you (though sometimes my sarcasm may make it seem otherwise)

My Old Tappan friends, it’s been a while but let me know when you’re around the NYC/NJ area. For me to see us all grown up seems a little freaky! It was only yesterday we were singing to Mr. Boscia’s music, seeing Mr. Rossi throw a desk, cutting class, going to the prom. Now some of you have your own families. Keep me in your heart, as I do with you.

Wagner College gave me amazing inspiration to find myself and meet professors and life-long friends who inspire me daily. There are many ways you can gain an education as I learned in my years at Wager!

Thanks to all the RENT friends I have made. Measure in love. We can always be grateful for Jonathan Larson’s lasting treasure. Thanks for all the RENT road trips!

Thank you, all the new friends I have made. I look forward to knowing you more and more (that DOES sound kind of creepy)

THANK YOU TO ALL OF YOU OUT THERE WHO INSPIRE!

This year, remember those who are not as blessed and keep them in your thoughts and prayers. It’s important for us –as teachers, friends, parents, lovers, brothers, sisters,-you name it, to go out there and make a difference. Anything small can help. We can be the change.

Please have a safe, healthy and happy Thanksgiving this year.

The best is yet to come,

Neal B
www.nealbinnyc.wordpress.com

then go forth and give…if you have money this is one of my favorite places

don’t

there are lots of ways besides flooding the homeless shelters with people who flock in at thanksgiving and never make eye contact with the homeless the rest of the year.

a few I’ve done: provide respite care for home care nurses (I did this for elderly), teach someone to read (did this during law school), be a victim advocate (did this for years for my local police) or foster a cat or dog until it finds a forever home (which may end up being yours).

a few I found (in this month’s women’s health magazine) that look interesting if you have time.

also check out the charities by looking at bbb.org/us/charity and charitynavigator.org or guidestar.org

girlsontherun.org

orphan.org or vmentor.com

habitat.org

acga.localharvest.org

nps.gov/archive/peri/vol_today.htm or serve.gov

rfbd.org

redcross.org

dressforsuccess.org

sanctuaries.org

hsus.org

charityguide.org/volunteer/animal-protection.htm

one of my favorite prayers/songs