Was, Am, Will

So the last time I've written in this was last semster, right around the last big show with Culture Shock. I guess I haven't had much motivation or reason to write in here because I took a Media Studies class in spring. Much of what I learned was how media, especially convergent media (those of which implement and utilize multiple channels of communication), like the Internet, have convinced me to keep my life a bit more private and personal.

Another reason is that media gives us a false sense of 'connection'. In other words, there isn't a personal connection where real-time and real-world feedback is possible. From what I've learned and experienced myself is that people feel the need to be so connected to this virtual world that when it comes to being a 'primitive' human being, the greatest sensations of lonliness can occur... "I feel naked without my phone".

The problem that I see is this virtual interconnective dependence, in fact, segregates people. It's come to the point of not "who I keep In touch with", but rather, "who keeps in touch with me?", "who leaves me comments and follows my updates & tweets?". The reason why anyone posts something online is for attention, straight up. And I understand that it's completely natural to seek attention because no one desires to be lonely. But with mass media, channels in which your audience is many and perhaps unknown, with feedback being minimal to nothing and impersonal, you fail to gain the same attention of a personal conversation versus online, even if one were to have 1,000 followers on Twitter.

This leads me to my next point: minimalist style conversations. Because we are adapting to 'real-time', 'up-to-the-second' updates, we're too busy focusing on "What's happening NOW?". The problem with this is that we are directly influenced to live and have a present-time mentality. Unlike animals who only live in the present tense, humans have notions of past and future as well. But we aren't animals and are clearly capable of higher thinking. So to live in a more reasonable way, I’m not saying to abandon the resources we have, but use them more efficiently and consciously, especially of the consequences they carry, visible or not. We have to equally distribute our lifestyle in all three categories. Examine the past before you fall into it's footsteps, enjoy the present to later recall on it, and prepare for the future to see the pathway you set for yourself or others to follow.

I wish I had more backing to my statements, but ironically I'm writing this in class and I don't have any resources or time to do so. Perhaps I'll create a series of my media-consumer rebellionto further elaborate my ideas. Thanks for reading anyways.

Graffiti Life (and death)

FMsocialL.

Here's my 2-2 list
-Study for finals

• Astronomy
• Public Speaking
• Media Communications
• Statistics

-Make-up speeches
-Learn around twenty 8-counts
-Choreo two 8-counts & transitions, then block 3 pieces

All while maintaining a Sunday-Wed 8-1 rehearsal schedule this week and a Mon-Thurs 11-4/5 school schedule and a Sun-Sun 12pm-collapse for the next two weeks.

"The Bible Was Written in Past Tense"

Currently watching a single-person protest from an angry christian at Grossmont.

After minutes of scolding from the students, the man challenged,

"I will give you five minutesto come up with a good question or comment".

They responded,

"HATER GO HOME! HATER GO HOME! HATER GO HOME!"

While I was rooting for Grossmont, the students did have some fallacies...

"The Bible was written in past tense, this is now." [Really? I read Revelations and was thinking the future]

"My name is Jacob, that's from the Bible." [Really, are your parents named Isaac and Rebecca?]

Impromptu

I challenged myself to write something at the top of the head at this moment. Whether this will be published later, I will have to decide that when I run out of words.

School is almost over. Hopefully I can get a 3.5 this semester to help with financial aid in the fall and maybe join Phi Betta Kappa. While school is a drag, it is still nice to learn. Perhaps not the homework and exams,but I have been enjoying myself. I would have to say that studying culture and mass media alone have tripped me out the most, applying it to life of course.

Finally taking notice of how much media affects our lives is actually kind of scary. Whether it was finally realizing that Obama won out of media sensation, or how today's news is merely infotainment, or how Twitter is a sad exhibit of our busy lives.

Have I talked about culture yet? In my past blogs? Ok. Whatevs.

I ran out of words.

Fin.

Oia?!

Despite discovering that I can blog via SMS text, I came to find out that extra long blogs, meaning extra long texts equal separate blogs. Just when I thought this was so convenient. Now I'm just gonna read and type what I texted...

As of last Monday, I have added another night of rehearsal, meaning dance days are now Sunday-Thursday. In all the time I've spent in the studio, I've realized that it took the sacrifice of bonding with friends, sometimes school, to achieve a goal I was far from grasping. So I didn't make the Seaworld cast for this summer, explaining the additional 4-5 classes a week I put myself through. Yeah, I'm pretty bummed, but I really had my hopes quite high.

But then again, I have been brought back to humility, realizing that dance is not an overnight craft, realizing that growing is constant. Nonetheless, I have enjoyed taking jazz, house, and even some "simple" cardio hip-hop; pirouettes, jacks, and box steps alike. I want to challenge and inspire myself further (not so much the 77 day separation from Maria).
Aside from dance, I want to take a bigger effort to maintain relationships, as I consider those the fuel in my life. Considering Aura's words, "Gotta love to be loved." These short, yet simple words will explain a lot of my values.

In other news, I'm in no rush to transfer and graduate. Doing well in school and maintaining good grades are still priorities. But I don't like the idea of settling down by my mid 20's. I'm living 'in the moment' at the moment and that means exploring deeper in studies that may have some relationship as to what I will be doing in my life. For one, I'm probably going to switch around jobs and a foundation on a single subject will do me no good. Secondly, I enjoy a liberal arts education. Third, I really am not satisfied with my career test's suggestion of a communications major. I want to take some drawing, painting, photography, art history, web design, etc. I just want to see what's out there. And lastly, my body may not be dancing when I'm 50, so I'm going to use this physical peak and keep it there for as long possible.

Five more weeks until school is over!

Supdate

Kinda overdue, but I really don't put time frames or deadlines to my posts.

After a grand birthday celebration week in January, great start to spring semester, and upgrading to Culture Shock, I think it's safe to say I've been having a good 2009 so far.

Things to be thankful for in no particular order:
1) Grossmont Financial Aid: With my tuition waived and textbook scholarship package, my parents now have other places to invest their money.
2) Zune: Oh well, so I didn't get an iPod. Even though I don't have the convenience of easily scrolling through artists/songs, I have to admit that music has now taken a larger portion of my life. I'm also accepting that I've been late on certain artists.
3) CSSD: To go along with music is dancing. Being on this team makes me feel somewhat spoiled: complimentary water bottles for rehearsal, unlimited classes, and potential paid shows. However, the commitment needed pretty much balances everything out. I now spend around 17+ hours a week dancing, 15 of those spent at Culture Shock. Let's face it, I've been reintroduced to the meaning of hardwork!
4) Mature folks: To those who are growing with me and accepting responsibility. I'm glad that you're not letting the past define who we are now and who we will be.
5) Friends: To those who keep up with me and accept who I am, whether or not we see each other on the daily. Especially those who always give me rides. I'm really grateful. Honestly!

O Hai, it's '09

Happy New Year! It's 2009!
Ok, I will admit, 2008 was so unexpected. With so many ups and downs, I can't say it was good or bad. Nonetheless, everyday is a learning experience so I can only make the best of what I'm given.

Tomorrow I will be taking down the Christmas decorations all around the house. My mom does a crazy job decorating the tree and fireplace and it's going back in the boxes. Sadness.



My birthday is this Friday, January 9th and I'm turning 19. Wow, my last year as a teenager. Sounds old, yet still quite young. I still don't know what I'm doing, partially because I never have planned my birthday. I usually just get excited and let the day pass, really mediocre, I know. I really need to do something for a change. Disneyland for free? Spontaneous trip out of SD? Dinner with the friends?

I know I'm not much of a gift giver myself, but for those who insist, here is a list of what I'd really appreciate, nothing too lavish. I don't have any expectations, so a creative birthday wish will do.

Transparent Dividers; Anywhere; $5
Good Quality 3 Subject Notebook, College Ruled w/ 150+ pgs; Anywhere; $4

Hanes V-Neck or Tank Tops; Anywhere; $6
Thermal Top/Pants; Anywhere; $6

Nike Performance Socks; Black ankle or high, not mid-ankle; Exchange, Target; $10


Nivea For Men/Every Man Shave & Moisturizer Skin Care; Exchange, Target; $5 a bottle



Earphones; Target; $13
Laptop Security Device; Exchange, Target; $25
Or Gift Certificates from Target, Westfield, H&M, or anything you can surprise me with!