Confession

I feel that honesty is the best way to keep any relationship healthy, so I guess it's about time I fessed up. I've been blogging for someone else.

Last week I began my internship at the Weekly Alibi, an event I was highly anticipating. And man, it's pretty awesome. I'm officially a web intern and my tasks are to webify (I'm still learning the jargon) and to blog. Webifying, in Alibinese, means to add links within a story or article. For example, at the beginning of this post, I made "Weekly Alibi" into a link. So I read through the articles, find things that I think people might want to read more on or just don't know about, and make those into links. It's actually pretty fun.

But the really exciting part is the blogging. I haven't had any of my writing posted on their blog yet, but I believe it will begin soon. If you check out the Alibi's blog, you'll probably notice that the content is quite similar to G&C, with the exception of more local news. This has proved to be a double-edged sword. It's great because since my topics I bring up on G&C are so similar, it won't be that difficult to write articles the Alibi will like. BUT, recently, since those ideas for posts have automatically been put towards writing posts for the Alibi, G&C has been suffering from my lack of attention. I've thought about double posting, for example, if I write something for the Alibi, I would post it on G&C too, or vice-versa, but I just feel like that's unfair. I want to keep both original and separate. That's easier said than done, though.

So I'm in a pickle.

If any of you have any advice, please share it. I'm open for any suggestions.

Encyclopedia of Life

Check out the Encyclopedia of Life here.

Captain! She Can't Handle Internet Speed!

So there's a new theory out there hypothesizing that MySpace is doomed to future failure. Although I strongly support this theory purely based on personal opinions on the efficiency of MySpace compared to other social networking websites (*coughfacebookcough*) I decided to investigate further into the topic.
According to David Louis Edelman's blog, several arguments exist that question the stability of MySpace. For example, MySpace's

• "Slowing pace of innovation. Adapt or die, that’s the unofficial motto of the Internet. And unlike, say, Google, which continues to pump out features and applications by the gallon, MySpace has remained largely sedentary for the past year. They released a lamentable, old-school IM client and better video integration, but otherwise the system is pretty much the same as it was 18 months ago. As MySpace’s technical problems grow and their folks spend more and more time just keeping up with demand, they’re going to fall even further behind."

It's true. Anyone who's a member of MySpace as well as some other social network such as facebook, can easily recognize the lack of change in all of MySpace's features.
MySpace had a great idea but it just got messy and unreliable. Members are shifting from the desire to have flashy, look-at-my-awesome-song profiles to simple, clean, dependable profiles. And added to that, they want new features! that keep them up-to-date on current popular trends. While facebook is incorporating characteristics of twitter and flickr MySpace continues on just as it started. It's a real shame. They were onto something good. But without the simple fact that change is necessary, they ruined it for everyone. Except facebook that is.

Digg This: Reddit Rocks

My effort into researching why Reddit is superior to Digg ended in frustration. I couldn't find many clear arguments that I completely understood. So I abandoned my search and chose who I wanted to win in the first place: Reddit. I have my reasoning.
To clarify, in case you don't know, Digg and Reddit are community-based popularity websites. Users submit interesting stories or pretty much anything else they wish to share and other users rate these stories.
So, back to why I think Reddit rules.

1. Direct links: On Reddit, when you click on the story you're interested in, it takes you directly to that page. Which makes sense. Why would you design it any other way? Well, Digg thinks you need to first be taken to a cover page for the story. Waste of a few valuable putzing-around seconds, if you ask me. Just take to what I want to see already! It seems so simple.
2. No clutter: Reddit is clean... uncomplicated... easy. What you see is what you get. No annoying ads or flare. Just the story titles in a nice, easy to read blue font.
3. Everybody runs it: I did discover that Digg is controlled by a handful of people, while Reddit's content is run by every single user.
4. More interesting: The majority of stories on Digg are just plain boring. Lots of techy, computer program stories. Stuff I wouldn't mind in moderation but definitely no more than that. Reddit provides a wide variety of stories, whether they're news stories, interesting wisdom, funny pictures, stupid videos or just juicy info. They're all clumped in there together.
   

That's my list for now. I can't really think of any other reasons. However, I feel these are vital characteristics in order to enjoy a website. Check out this ongoing meter monitoring the debate.
Also, check out Reddit and Digg if you haven't. Let me know what you think. If you find something really awesome about Digg, tell me about it. I guess there's a chance I could have a change of heart.

Spring into It

It is always an exciting time, nearing the end of the Spring semester. With approaching Summer weather, longer days and the realization of the dearly needed 3-month break from school (unless that is, you're doing the whole Summer school thing...) life starts to feel a bit more productive. Like today!
We finally got our little garden all planted today and ready to grow, even though Albuquerque's current weather is not what I would consider Spring weather as I listen to the thunder. Anyway, we went for a new mix of vegetables this year: eggplant, okra, tomatoes (including yellow and purple - I know, purple! Weird right?) and lots of green chili (two types: Santa Fe and Española, represent). It should prove to be an interesting crop.


We also got our herb garden going, with basil, chives and tons of spearmint. Sadly we had to sacrifice our beloved cactus which occupied this bed previously... however! We were able to replant most of it.

Another interesting thing I did today: I transformed my face! Go here to do it yourself. I first heard about it on Rocketboom and then saw my friend Katie's transformed faces on Facebook. I had to do it.
Check it out! Starting top left: Old HBop, Asian HBop, chimp HBop, Artsy HBop, East Indian HBop, Man HBop (this one kinda creeps me out) and finally normal HBop!

You can do other transformations too, but these came out best for me.
What else... Oh! I recently discovered a new artist I really like, Audrey Kawasaki. She's amazing. I think I love every single one of her paintings. All of her paintings are done on wood, which gives them a really rich, mystical feel.


My banana bread just came out of the oven and it smells so good, I'm going to have a fresh slice.
And that's great... it's pouring outside. I hope my little plants survive the night...

a little bad news... LOTS of Good News

There are a few issues I would like to address.
First, coming back to my post on words for snow in Inuit languages, it appears the future hope of putting an end to this misguided fact will simply evolve into something new, never actually being rectified.

A sad fact to come to terms with, but at least I am solaced with the knowledge that you readers recognize the truth of the situation.

Despite that, my spirits were lifted upon the discovery of LibraryThing. If you're a reader or if you want to pretend you are, this site is for you. It's like the delicious of libraries. Here, you create your own library, organizing books you've read or are reading, get recommendations from the site or other users, AND if you have a blog or website LibraryThing has a widget that will tell your readers what you're current reading interests are. (I plan on getting mine on here ASAP!)

My last two issues relate to recent artsy findings, the first being a music video by The Whitest Boy Alive. Just a few months ago I heard about this band through friends and have been listening to them quite regularly ever since. I never would have imagined their video to come out like this, but after seeing it, I feel that the music and animation fit together surprisingly well.



My other artsy finding is this really awesome Ukrainian graffiti. How wonderful it would be if all graffiti looked as outlandish and quirky as these masterpieces. Walking to school would be so wonderfully quizzical!

Oh, and of course my last bit of good news: HAPPY BIRTHDAY IAN!

Blogs Not Bombs

Since I've recently joined the blogging community (which I have to admit I'm highly addicted to) I decided it would be courteous to show my support for my friend's and family's blogs. Whether they're up-and-coming or established, artsy or scientific, I pay a visit to each of these blogs almost everyday. I love seeing people I know utilizing this great medium to express themselves, even if it does give us a glimpse into their peculiar thought processes.

• ..dotted and undotted dotterings..: My brother's blog on "science, life, culture and exciting et cetera". Only on its second post, this blog is thought-provoking, knowledgeable, witty and periodically over my head.
• Autobiography of Blue (my life with fibromyalgia): As Hannah puts it, "The purpose of this blog is to coax my desire to write out of hibernation, to discuss and revel in the strange and lovely, and, especially, to explore and share my ongoing experience with fibromyalgia (FM)." A journal-style blog characterized by splendid writing and delightful images.
• fr.ivolo.us: There is plenty to explore on this blog, with its Sketchbook, Quotes, Blog and Snippets sections. Currently, Josh has been exploring and experimenting with Polyphasic sleeping. Certainly a fascinating read.
• Freestyle Quilting: If you're interested in quilting, sewing, design or just crafts in general, this is a really cool, innovative style of quilting to check out.
• Sunlight Homes Blog: Based in Albuquerque, NM, Sunlight Homes is an amazing business, building "custom designed green homes with passive solar design". Visiting their blog is a great way to educate yourself on the monumental importance of this topic.

If I know you and your blog isn't listed here, please tell me about it and I'll add it on! I want to make sure I know and recognize all my acquaintances' blogs. We must support one another!

On a final note, I wanted to share this picture with you. I found it on Freedigitalphotos.net and just really liked it. Yep.

Cayenne to the Rescue!

I just read on reddit a very interesting cure for a sore throat: cayenne pepper. Apparently, if you gargle a mixture of water, cayenne and salt (optional) your sore throat will magically disappear. Instantly. I haven't tried it yet, but when I do, don't worry, I will blog about it.

This cure comes from Earth Clinic, a website with an eclectic mix of folk remedies and holistic cures. The layout of the website is nice, since readers/patients of these remedies can post comments about their personal experiences with the treatment, in a yea or nay fashion. It looks like the cayenne pepper remedy is by far the best received, with well over 100 yeas.
I just got over a cold, (damn!) so I have no need to experiment with this as of now... however I do have a slightly stuffy nose...

Here is a supposedly good recipe I got from this blog:

• 1 standard drinking glass of hot to warm water
• 1 teaspoon of cayenne powder
• a couple pinches of salt for good measure (most people say its not necessary but it won’t hurt)

Please, if you try this, let me know how it goes, I am so curious!

Knowing You Don't Know

What an interesting day... full of stress, boredom, a bit of excitement, realization of ignorance and topped off with a dollop of fun.
Today marked my most intense day of midterms, my focus being on my Medicina tradicional de México examen parcial (midterm), one I got up at 7:00 AM to study for. As it turned out, it wasn't nearly as bad as I had imagined it to be, however I have yet to receive my grade, so I'll let you know if my opinion turns out to be true.
Then after that, in my Identity Through Discourse class, we had a guest teacher lecturing on performed identities online, via emails, IMs, social networks (i.e., myspace) and blogs. At first, I thought "Oh, internet? Ha! I know plenty about that, what does this lady have to tell ME about the internet??" It was a short lecture, but, as it turned out, caused some personal mixed feelings to arise.
For the last "while" (I'm not clear on how long it's been) I've been consciously trying to discover new things on the internet, searching and educating myself on current, modern technologies, popular sites, and general "things to know". And honestly I feel I've been quite successful, considering that my friends and family have been able to use me as a source for learning about online popular culture. However, this lecture - given by an obviously huge internet geek - made me feel so...superficial. There is clearly so much that I know absolutely nothing about!
So here, here is a list of 5 things that I knew nada about. Educate yourself, stay in the know. I don't want you to feel like I did.

• L33t - that is "Leet Speak", an online writing system used in games or, more and more, in popular online forums.
• /b/-Random - I'm not quite sure yet why this site is so big, but apparently it is. The link here is to the main page, but /b/, the random imageboard is what all the hoopla is about. If you figure anything out, please, fill me in.
• Cat Macros - also know as Kittah, this is just something really odd. What else can I say? People take pictures of cats, photoshop some random text onto it, and think it's funny. Again, I don't really get it, but I guess I'm supposed to know about it. Check out this link to see some good examples.
• Memes - if you find one, please share it.
• And I guess HTML is just something that people should know. This I did know, and I'm working on it, even though I have no desire to. It's for the sake of knowledge people, teh knowledge.

If you know of anything else I should bother educating myself with, feel free to let me know. No offense taken. I'd rather feel stupid when I ask for it, instead of when I'm put on the spot.

Websites I Couldn't Live Without

1. Del.icio.us - I just don't know how I actually believed I was even remotely organized before del.icio.us entered my life. Delicious allows it's users to categorize and share all their bookmarks with other users. Genius! So simple but oh so necessary for the ever expanding realm of the internet. Thank you Ian!

2. Rocketboom - a daily vlog almost as random as Gum & Carrots. I entertain myself with the belief that I'm educating myself by watching it. But if you're too cool to watch Rocketboom, feel free to gorge yourself with The9.

3. Craigslist - everybody better know what this is by now. If you don't, go to this site now, and stop spending money on posting your classified ads in the Journal. I don't use craigslist as often as the other listed sites, but when I need it, it saves my life. I sold my car after only having it posted for 2 days!

4. Pandora - This is the best internet radio site I've found. It's free - if you want it to be - and lets you create your own stations. Your stations are based off a chosen band or song you like, and then randomly plays related songs. As you listen you rate each song played, and the station becomes more and more specific to your likes.

5. Digg.com - almost identical to reddit.com, these 2 sites allow users to post interesting things they find on the internet, and rate them, by either "digging" them or giving them points. These sites help me keep up to date with those obscure little facts buried somewhere online. Let other people find them, you just judge them.

6. Well, #6 used to be Daily Monster, but alas, that era has passed. So I guess I'll stay in the same category and pick Drawn, an illustration and cartooning blog. As you may already know, I lack a talent for drawing and desire a more professional skill. This site has definitely provided some much needed inspiration to get me doodling again.

7. Allrecipes.com - not that cool, but I have to admit, I use it almost daily. Honestly, the title is not a lie, which I first expected it to be. It really has everything. Especially a great veggie section.

8. I really don't want to say what I have for #8...but what's a blog if it's not honest... myspace, there I said it. Or facebook. Definitely a guilty pleasure, but - perhaps I'm lying to myself - I do feel that I stay better connected with my friends. 'Nuff said.

My Ode to Stefan G. Bucher

Today marks the last Daily Monster from Stefan G. Bucher. It's been a great last 100 days, starting off every day with a healthy dose of skritchy sharpie sounds and air-blown paint streaks. And then topping it all off with a lively animation - oh there is nothing more satisfying. Whether it's dancing, glaring, or just acting sketchy, each monster has been a joy. I do have one regret, in regard to being such a fan of DM, I never posted a story for one of the monsters. All those fans that regularly created astoundingly creative stories for these recent acquaintances have my profound respect. But what of all those fans, perhaps bigger fans than I? If I feel like my daily routine is being forced to find new morning entertainments, how do these people feel? The ones that put in at least an hour or more everyday, just trying to create a meaningful story. How will they ever get over it? How will they fill the void that the arrival of the 100th monster has created? Will they find something new? Better? Hmmm...Maybe they will come across a new blog, one where they can write comments...give advice to a new blogger...gum and carrots anyone???