The Urge

I have a problem.  I joke around about people that buy clothes all the time and then find something in their closet that still has the tag on but they bought it last year.  I just can't seem to buy clothes like that.  My problem, however, is that I like to buy other stuff.  I like to buy expensive toys like new TV's, computers, phones, etc etc.  Right now I'm seriously thinking about buying a notebook computer.  Do I need one?  No.  Does Celia need one?  Well, no but it sure would be helpful now that she's in school.  Does she need one for the program that's she's in?  She could probably get away with not having one but again, it would be helpful.  So now she's put it in my mind that we should get a notebook for school.  I personally have no problem with that.  I've been comparing computers and trying to find one that meets my non-existent budget.  Do I get an entry-level MacBook or an above-average PC notebook?  High-end is out of the question.  Entry-level macbooks are still pretty good (I personally think it's because of the OS).  The PC notebook has much better hardware, but the operating system eats up half of that anyway.  The mac is lighter, thinner, more portable.  The PC is more mainstream so software is cheaper and easier to find.  Plus, I still need something that runs Windows because my VPN for work doesn't support a mac.  Look at me, comparing the two like I can actually afford a new computer.

Brave New World

In a world of text messaging, email, blogs, instant messengers, online communities, and all other kinds of electronic communication, some would say that we're losing our ability to communicate effectively.  I think I would have to disagree with this.  I've read that teenagers are able to convey just as much information and emotion in a text message as they would in a face-to-face conversation.  I think chatting online gives people a chance to know each other's personalities rather than having one's physical appearance affect how they interact.  Online communities like Facebook or MySpace allow people to stay in touch in ways we've never been able to before.  Do you know what your old elementary school friends are doing now?  I found out that a girl I went to school with over 20 years ago just got married and another is married with 2 very cute daughters.  Just 2 years ago I had no idea if these people were even still alive.  Even though we only leave each other brief messages once in a while, we're still in closer contact than we've ever been since 1988.  I remember a time when people kept diaries and journals and kept them locked in a secret hiding place in their room.  I may not do that, but I've been writing in my blog since 2003 and sharing my thoughts, opinions, experiences, highs, lows, and everything in between with anyone bored enough to read it.  Doesn't matter whether or not anyone reads it though, I write it for the same reason people write in private diaries - I just need an outlet to speak my mind and let it all out.  So my point of all this is that with all the technology that's out there, literally at our fingertips with iPhones and Blackberries, I think the opportunity to communicate is greater than ever before.  If you choose not to communicate or choose to communicate ineffectively, that's up to you.  There's nothing forcing you to stay indoors in front of your computer and there's nothing forcing you to ignore the ringing of your phone.  Quit blaming the tools and be accountable for your own choices.

Movie Previews

Remember that Street Fighter movie from the nineties?  The crappy one with Jean-Claude VD?  Well, they're making a new Street Fighter movie except this time the main character is Chun Li.  The trailer kinda makes it look like the Elektra movie.

Another movie that's coming out is GI Joe: The Rise of Cobra.  When I was a kid I used to have a lot of GI Joes so I like to think of myself as a fan.  The trailer looks kinda cool with Snake Eyes jumping around and doing flips like spiderman.

Lastly, there's a new Astroboy movie.  If you don't know who Astroboy is, then you're missing out.  I used to love the old cartoon when I was a kid.  He was the super-robot version of Pinocchio.

Superstar

My niece is in a commercial.  She's so cute.