Where Is Foursquare?

More and more people use this location-based social media network to let friends know where they are. This INFOGRAPHIC lets us know where they are with impressive growth in 2010. (I still prefer FS over FB Places)

Live For Tomorrow

Am I an awful person because I don't care if the Challenger blew up 25 years ago?

Social media, and traditional media too, is filled today with people posting links, vids, pics and personal thoughts about the tragedy that was the Challenger shuttle explosion. It was a horrible event that rocked the psyche of the American public because of the pride in the NASA programs, and the respect for the brave individuals who lost their lives serving others. Plus, it was just a huge visual, with the remnants of the vehicle slowly falling out of the sky while onlookers and family members watched in stunned disbelief.

I was actually on the air on the day it happened, stopping down to deliver the "news" to listeners moments after the explosion...so I understand the "what were you doing" memories, for instance. But for me its just one more thing that happened in the past that doesn't impact today or tomorrow. So I really have no sentimental feelings about it, and certainly wouldn't think to post them if I did. Don't misunderstand, the intention here is not to disrespect the dead or their memory. But I wonder if we're seeing more of an outpouring from individuals because they care, or because they can (hmmmmm, kinda like a blog). It's so easy now to throw ones thoughts out onto the interweb, which may in a strange way be generating more sentimental feeling than in the past.

Would many of the same people posting about the explosion today have stopped someone in the halls in the past to tell them how the 25th anniversary of a tragedy was making them feel? I have a feeling the answer is "no". For many, social media has become one of their preferred means of human interaction. For some, social media has given them an outlet for their thoughts, emotions and feelings in ways they would not have had in the past. Social media appears to organically generate an increased level of self-expression and sentiment, and give it a platform for consumption...and that is a good thing, today.

What did stay with me after Challenger was a sense of anxiety every time they launch a shuttle, and hope that it will be safe. That's what I will be feeling when they launch the last flight on June 28th...and that's about living for tomorrow, not remembering yesterday.

Security No, Censorship Yes

So I received this email from the "Facebook Team" yesterday;

"Hello, You uploaded a photo that violates our Terms of Use, and this photo has been removed. Facebook does not allow photos that attack an individual or group, or that contain nudity, drug use, violence, or other violations of the Terms of Use. These policies are designed to ensure Facebook remains a safe, secure and trusted environment for all users, including the many children who use the site. If you have any questions or concerns, you can visit our FAQ page, The Facebook Team".

OK, let's review my photo galleries. Attack?...nope, no pics of anyone attacking anybody. Nudity?...as much as I like nudity, none posted. Drugs?...not a Miley Cyrus Bong shot to be found. Violence?...I'm a lover, not a fighter. The all encompassing Violations of the Terms of Use?...I'm not even sure what that would be. So what the heck did they find?

To make matters worse, once they delete a photo...it's gone, can't be seen again. And they don't tell you what file it was. Plus, there is no way to ask them. It's a totally one way street. So not only was a photo on my profile so bad they had to delete it, but I have no way of knowing which one it was so I don't do it again. I've looked through all my pics, and I can't tell which photo is gone...or why any of them would deserve to get the axe.

Look, Facebook gets a lot of grief for not working hard enough on security issues. I never really worry about security because if I didn't want people to have access to some of my private life...I wouldn't be on Facebook. But it's kind of a drag when they do work hard enough to delete what surely must have been a rather innocuous photo to "protect the innocent".

Dear Facebook Team, Please find a way to tell us what nasty pics you delete...so we can be better social media citizens, and not subvert society by accident.

Now where did I stash that photo of me doing naked bong hits while playing Mortal Kombat?

I'm Sorry I'm A Steelers Fan

Here we go!  Yep, Steelers hold on last night to beat the Jets and head to Dallas to play the Pack in Superbowl 45. You already know all the numbers; appearances, championships, etc. But the only one that really matters is 7.  That would be 7 Superbowl wins, the most by any team. Hell, in Pittsburgh success isn't even judged on wins & loses...it's on how many Superbowl rings we have.

That said, I need to apologize for yesterday, and the upcoming two weeks. As a life-long fan of the Steelers, I'm in a position to have both bragging rights & swagger. So I will post and say things that are caustic, and cause friends & acquaintances to cringe. Please don't take it seriously since it is only about a sporting event. It's just hard not to do when you're a Steelers fan.

Also, I will not apologize for blowing up any of the ridiculous shots about how Ben is a rapist. As I have already pointed out to many...accused, convicted, persecuted, and guilty are all very different descriptions attributed to Ben Rothlisberger. Fortunately, the half that describe Ben are more about facts than opinion. Being young, rich, and and a man-ho doesn't make someone a rapist...but it does describe 40% of the NFL & 65% of the NBA. If Michael Vick can comeback from conviction and prison...then we should probably give a break to someone who's only genuine "crime" is being a drunken lout who hangs out with the wrong people in the wrong places. Heck, the NFL was at least as wrong as he was for giving him the 4 games off!

And for the record, the use of the over-used "Steeler Nation" is crap. I'm sorry the Steelers or any of the fans ever started using it. Leave that "nation" noise to the teams that need to convince their fans they matter. From the time I could walk & talk, I was from "Steelers Country"...and still am. In fact, the United States should really be called Steelers Country!!  (see, there I go again)

Please do not blame my wife, child, or grandchild for anything I say or do in the next two weeks. I'm Sorry I'm A Steelers Fan.

Would you walk away?

Keith Olberman walked away from MSNBC last night. Regardless of your politics, his deciding to leave begs the question; would you have the guts to do the same?

Olberman has had a long career in news and sports filled with conflict between himself and management, and gigs ended due to "philosophical differences". It would appear the MSNBC, soon to be Comcast, management were not interested in him hanging around either. It's always impossible for us looking from the outside in to know who's right and who's wrong in those situations, but its always hard to turn away...kinda like a car crash. In part, why his leaving is now a news story...for other news shows! Albeit, the Fox folks will certainly have a little more glee in their giddy up reporting his demise.

Olberman has been a fiery, opinionated anchor and blow hard for a long time.  Apparently a guy who either does it his way, what he feels is the "right" way, or will beat you until you either give up or get out. Generally not a fun type to work with. Plus, his personality has been as off putting to the folks on the other side of the political spectrum from him, as Glenn Beck is to those on the other side from him. That said, the Countdown show he created saved a crappy network from extinction, and did generate a following.

The politics and personality aside, I have to admire anyone who walks away from a 40 million dollar job on principal...because I probably wouldn't have the guts to do the same. I was just having a conversation with a friend yesterday lamenting how most of us will continue to do a job even when we are miserable or feel its not "right" because we are too scared to walk away from the security. Sad but true.

I watched Countdown because of the willingness not to take everything in the news of the day too seriously. I watched it because I liked Keith's general lack of patience for things stupid & extreme. I watched it because I could be entertained, and still get a handle on the stories of the day. And because it replayed about the time my former work/family day wound down; 10pm. Although even I would turn it off when he got hung up too long on a story that he was trying to champion.  I did not watch it because I'm a liberal, because I'm not. 

I did notice I watched it less after the election controversy where Keith got "suspended" for making a contribution. Was it because he had checked out since, knew he was going to bail, and the show wasn't as good? Maybe. Was it because he had become too politically one-sided even for me to sit through. Maybe. I tend not to watch the right-leaning shows either for the same reason. (yea, I'm one of the ones who watches CNN...because they ARE in the middle)

Special comment; Keith Olberman may either be a hero or a villain to you, but there isn't much doubt he has more guts than you do!

Too Much Information

I wish this was about someone divulging too many details of their sex life, or a pretty cool Police song from the 80's...but it's about digital overload!

I took a moment to step back and review the digital brand that exists for myself, my wife...and yes, even Rydan my Grandson!  There are 30 websites, social media profiles, blogs, micro blogs, multimedia sharing accounts and landing pages that are currently being managed or in the process of being developed. 30. It took me a while just to gather them in once space so I could visualize them all. And don't get me started on passwords!

You could certainly wonder why the hell we need all this information in so many places online. But we are certainly not the normal family due to having public lives, and long-running involvement in new media...so it makes a little more sense for us to be so "exposed". Plus, who doesn't like to show off pictures of the grand kids? But it has become quite a task just to manage it.

We live in a time for instance where Rydan is an iToddler. Fully comfortable operating iDevices before he turned 3, and able to navigate his way around the Nick Jr. games on a laptop now at less than 3.5. So it's obvious the ease of computing makes digital data more pervasive in every aspect of daily life, but also more manageable. So we all three tend to have some device in front of us, or near us, almost all the time. And we seem to have either become used to the overload, or numb to it.

Granted, there are times when we shut off the smart phone and go off the grid, and that's good.  But sometimes it absolutely feels like...too much information, running through my brain!  Great, now I'm gonna be signing that damn song all day.

Octomommy Dearest

So this is what happens when your 15 minutes is up?

Breaking news; Octomom fetish video released!! Really? This is what it's come to? In any other set of circumstances this would be just another crappy attempt at milking the interweb for some hits using a cheap fetish vid. But in this case it seems more like the sad end to the very strange story of the Octomom!

Nadya Suleman, known as Octomom, gained international attention by birthing a whole litter of kids at once! Yea, that would be 8. Of course, right after everyone was thrilled the kids made it, and intrigued by the details...we all found out she was using modern medicine and our sick need for a "feel good" story in the 24-hour news cycle to get attention. By the way, she already had six other mouths not getting fed, and was on public assistance.

Oh yea, after the blessed event...she hired a PR firm, did TV interviews, tagged up with Vampiress Gloria Allred, and got an ear full from Dr. Phil. Next it was a reality TV show in the England...with the kids on the payroll! Then Fox did a a two-hour special entitled, "Octo-Mom: The Incredible Unseen Footage"...who really wanted to see that footage? follow all that with Oprah, Idol, and lots of magazine covers. The only thing she didn't do to exploit herself and the kids was porn...until now. Granted, this isn't really porn...but it's salacious and intended to make you look. So I guess we will!

Hopefully this is the last time we'll see the fabulous Octomom, with her in a too-tight corset whipping a fully grown man wearing a diaper. Hey lady, your 15 minutes are officially up.

TMZ video page (SFW)

The King Is Dead...Long Live The King And Queen Of All Media

When I started doing radio in my teens, Larry king was a guy I admired. I would stay up listening to him do the all night show in the late 70's. He would do five and a half hours of talk! Sometimes with cool people, sometimes freaks...but he always made it interesting.  Later I watched him on CNN for all those years, even as he faded to a caricature of himself...until he looked like the crypt keeper. He finally got booted by CNN last month, probably because they were tired of waiting for him to die on the air. But no matter what you thought of him, the guy was one of the best interviewers for a few generations. 

So the replacement CNN chose was some sarcastic, asshole Brit full of attitude.  Piers Morgan, who most people only knew from a season of torturing other apprentices...but is actually an accomplished journalist. Great choice and change of pace by CNN.  Can u imagine how boring Ryan seacrest would have been night after night? They over-promoted the new shows launch, but he did start with 2 big "gets" for his first interviews; Oprah and Stern. The king and Queen of all media! I was intrigued.

Monday night I sat through the entire O interview. Other than an appreciation for her power and wealth...i don't care about her. But the interview was made interesting by her personality, willingness to open up on some things, and shutting down on others...but mostly by a fresh, less fawning approach from the interviewer.

Tuesday night it was Stern, who's out doing some media to bask in the glory of his new 5 year deal. This interview was more a sparring match than Q&A, but just as interesting. Even though I watch Stern on demand, It was refreshing to see him actually answer another persons question without doing a comic dodge.

No, Larry King would not have made interviews with the King and Queen of All Media as interesting. Piers is a breath of fresh air to an over done format on an over saturated dial, and he may not fair as well when his bookers drag in the latest victim of some manufactured news drama...but at least he's a good interviewer willing to ask the uncomfortable question, not toss the golden King softball. Still, there will only be one Larry King. Long live the King.

Here we go!

From time to time I have someone ask me why the Pittsburgh Steelers have such a loyal fan base across the country. Most of the reasons are unique to each person, many of whom grew up as "generational" fans of the biggest team in "Steeler Country"....but some of the reasons are just fact:

The Steelers were Founded in 1933.

The Steelers are the oldest franchise in the AFC.

The Steelers are the fifth-oldest franchise in the NFL.

The Steelers game against the Jet's Sunday will be the fifth appearance in the AFC Championship Game in the past 10 years.

The Steelers game Sunday will be the 15th appearance in their conference's championship, the most in the league since the 1970 NFL-AFL merger.

The Steelers will host the fourth AFC Championship Game at Heinz Field since it opened in 2001.

The Steelers won more AFC Championship Games (seven) than any other team.

The Steelers have hosted more (eleven) conference championship games than any other AFC or NFC team.

The Steelers have posted the best record in the league since the 1970 NFL-AFL merger.

The Steelers have won the most total games in the league since the 1970 NFL-AFL merger.

The Steelers have the best winning percentage (including every expansion team) in the league since the 1970 NFL-AFL merger.

The Steelers have sold out every home game since 1972.

The Steelers have zero Cheerleaders.

The Steelers had only one playoff appearance in their first 39 years.

The Steelers have won more Super Bowl titles (six) than any other team. 

Just the facts.

It's Not Politics, It's Stupidity

Sarah Palin is either one of the most self-centered & self-defensive people you will ever meet, or she has the worst set of political advisors & writers you'll ever find. Either way, the video blog yesterday was just stupid on many levels.

Yes, the memorial service rally was off key. Right for the Prez and leaders to be there. Good to remember the folks lost & heroes found. OK to point toward a more positive approach to political dialogue. Not appropriate for it to feel like a pep rally.

But why do you choose the day that most civil individuals are going to pause, if even for a millisecond, to reflect on the senseless tragedy to tell everyone it wasn't your fault...when it wasn't your fault! Even if you are in the right doing it, that was stupid timing.

It's obvious to most folks that while there is a far too negative tone to the political discourse today, it really wasn't the cause of the Tucson shooting rampage. The dude is a delusional whack job who was gonna shoot someone sooner or later...regardless of their politics. So no, it wasn't Sarah's fault. But she has enough of a mix of the common political self-righteousness & redneck (yes, they have rednecks in Alaska) defensiveness that she had to respond...to nothing. If there were "journalists and pundits" attacking her specifically, they were stupid too, and she should have just let everyone figure that out himself or herself.

I get a kick out of poking fun at the stupid things politicians say, and Sarah has a bag full. But even I don't understand how her speechwriter uses her indignation at the suggestion she's to blame...to drag up the incorrectly used term "Blood Libel"? Just stick with something simple like; "Hey Stupid, stop accusing me of something I didn't do". I'm pretty sure the term "Blood Libel" doesn't get thrown around while you’re out baiting Polar Bears. Who ever wrote the speech is pretty stupid.

Extreme & fundamental views & idiots populate both sides of the political spectrum, which is why I firmly fall in the middle. I prefer tolerance & logical compromise about facts to an argument based on ideology. This time the stupid isn't about Sarah's political position; it's about her personality, personnel, or both.

iphone or Viphone?

Yes, I love the iphone. Yes, I hate AT&T's service. Yes, I want to switch to Verizon. But is it really the best thing to do? Maybe, maybe not. Here's a few facts:

-Verizon is only going to have a CDMA version of the iphone4...and the iphone5 should be out by June.

-ETF...more money to spend money.

-Calls: In general, Verizon will drop less calls. It's unclear what impact the iPhone will have on its network, but we don't expect it to be as bad as AT&T was in its early years. Verizon's network has proven itself to be more robust.

-Speed: In general, AT&T has the faster 3G network, and in some cases it's a great deal faster than Verizon.

-Simultaneous voice and data: Only AT&T is capable of talking on the phone and surfing the web at the same time, but Verizon is working on a solution, saying the fix might be implemented by the end of this year.

-GSM and UMTS technology is widely used worldwide. UMTS phones can be easily moved from one UMTS network to another, making them ideal for international use.

-[CDMA] can't use a SIM card, making it far more difficult to switch handsets.

-I need a Hotspot, and the Viphone will do it, AT&T won't.

-Rates: gonna be about the same, but would hope to see some competitive discounting.

Dropped calls hasn't been my big beef, it's been accessing data...but even that's not clear cut. For instance; Chicago and the beach, couldn't get a damn AT&T signal. Home & Atlanta, no problem. So do I give up speed everywhere to have a better chance at data everywhere? I'm just not sure. Need more thoughts and opinions, check these links:

The Verizon iPhone Is Here
Face Off Infographic
What’s the Difference Between AT&T and Verizon’s 3G Networks?
Can Verizon Handle The Traffic?
Verizon iPhone Can Act as a Wi-Fi Hotspot
Don't Buy the Verizon iPhone 4
Here's How to Ditch Your AT&T iPhone and Switch to a Verizon iPhone for Free

Tattoo Of The Tiger

Living vicariously through your favorite sports team is a constant across all cultures and countries. Soccer in Europe, Hockey in Canada, Cricket in India...but no where is it more evident than with SEC football in the South.

Football to the people who live there and the students and alumni of the schools is more than just rooting for the team to win...it's one of the most important aspects of their lives. It's more than just wearing the team logo or following the scores. It is a constant in their lives from 1 to done. I came to it late in life, as I have simply adopted the SEC (as my wife has adopted the Pittsburgh Steelers).

The result of this extreme fanaticism is good, and some times bad. The good can be seen in the size of the crowds enjoying the games, the pride in the teams accomplishments, and the loyalty learned from winning & losing. The bad can be found in the willingness to circumvent the rules, the unsportsmanlike actions toward the "other" teams fans, and the sense that winning is worth anything. But good or bad, the fans are fans forever.

Last night the Auburn Tigers won the National Championship. A great game for the fans, including my wife who is an Alum. Pre-game & post-game...yelling & screaming...cheering & crying...and yes, a horrible job "papering" the front yard.

The win also means she will be getting a tattoo of a Tiger paw, because she will be a fan...forever.

Snow Hysteria Defined

Snow Hysteria; The insanity that occurs in the general public when frozen flake-shaped water is predicted to fall from the sky.

Normally, the correct response when hearing about snow is to drive immediately to your nearest grocery store and buy 400 gallons of water and enough milk, bread, and eggs to feed a small sovereign nation, because obviously 1/4 inch of snow equals the next 100,0000-year-long ice age, and obviously with the glaciers ringing your doorbell, you won't be able to go anywhere! 

As someone who grew up in an area where significant snowfall was a relatively common occurrence, I find myself irritated by the idea that any amount of Winter precipitation is the trigger for over reaction and paralysis. That said, I'm willing to accept that if you didn't grow up dealing with the road conditions created by winter weather it can make driving a much more genuinely difficult thing to do. No, I'm not OK with people dying in car accidents, snow or no snow. But I think it's the acceptance of the fear of what might happen if one ventures out in the Winter conditions, instead of accepting & learning how to handle them.

It also doesn't help that local TV weather machines churn up the drama trying to give the viewers the idea that Snowmageddon is upon us...and they need to stay tuned for more updates! In the past I've even struggled myself to manufacture the drama on radio stations, knowing the reality was just not that bad. Strong music and scary words can elicit an expected & desired reaction from the general populace.

From the time I moved to NC and expressed my astonishment to Snow Hysteria, I've been derided as one of "those people", someone from "up there", and basically told I'm an "ass". I wonder what people in Minnesota say to someone from "down there" when they won't leave the house every time there's a snow shower?

So you will see, hear, or sense my irritation every time the forecast calls for a minor event...that results in Snow Hysteria because it's the Snowpocalypse! Now, where are my mittens?

CES & AEE Double Down

It's no coincidence that the worlds biggest consumer electronics show and the worlds biggest porn convention happen at exactly the same time this weekend in Sin City!

In fact, the Adult Entertainment Expo was actually a part of the Consumer Electronics Show until 1999 when the tech guys got nervous about the Sony display being set up next to Ballgags-R-Us. Plus, the company that owns the AEE brand realized they could sell more tickets if they didn't have to tone it down to fit into the mainstream event...but kept the same dates to maintain positive synergy.

It is doubtful that many of the adult performers & producers make a visit over to the CES booths to see the latest tech. But you can bet the Geek Squad charters non-stop full size Grey Line buses over to the AEE in hopes of getting a smile, hug and autograph from Jesse Jane & her busty friends.

In reality, porn has always been a driving force in the adoption of emerging consumer technology. Think VHS, DVD, Blue Ray, streaming video, and yes...the whole damn Internet. Heck, to a nerd developer still living in Mom's basement...porn is as close to a date as they'll get! So they do all they can to enhance that relationship.

In the end, we all know high tech is sexy...and both are on full display on the Strip this weekend.

Death By Dildo for Christmas

Stupid comes in many forms in many people...but Terry Lester may have created a new category.

This guys big holiday surprise for his ex-girlfirend was to kill her...using a sex toy rigged to explode! Police said It had "been modified with gun powder and buck shot, which were connected to a trigger inside the battery port." Lester apparently believed that he could pull some kind of "trigger" and by doing so "blow them up." He thought if he left it as a wrapped gift for her when he got kicked him out of their apartment, she'd open it once he was gone and enjoy the memories.

Just so you know he wasn't picky about the ladies, Police found enough supplies to make shag shells for two other ex-girlfriends. Not a smart plan for success since it was likely they were going to hear about the first self-induced pleasure bomb death & back away from the box.

As with most stupid murder plots, he bragged about it to the boys at the bar...who were sober enough to turn him in. Although I'm pretty sure at least a few of them were intrigued by the plot, because guys just love plots that involve nudity and explosions.

Two Turntables And A Cardboard Sign

So Ted Williams...the guy with the "golden radio voice", not the one with the frozen head...is a very lucky man. But will his luck run out? And is the story more about us than it is him?

It's human nature to love a feel good story, and it's impossible for the media not to wear out a warm fuzzy story like a pair of slippers on a mailman. Heck, my radio peeps have a full-on woody! But I can't help feeling Ted's more like a lotto winner than than a success story of human triumph over adversity.

Yes, he appears to be a warm, likable fellow who just happened to be down on his luck. He seems appreciative of the attention and offers of help. But is that, along with a set of "pipes", enough to justify the outpouring of support & emotion? There a thousands of good people out of work, albeit not on the street, through no fault of their own. In fact, most of them didn't make the admittedly "poor choices" Ted did to help make his situation even worse. The only thing that makes them any different than Ted is a viral video, a cardboard sign, and they didn't hit the jackpot.

I know, I know...Ted has skills that are valuable. But the reaction and offers of help are as much about self marketers looking to catch a ride on the wave of his positive press, as they are about helping people who need it. Unless the decision maker making the offer is just genuinely caught up in the media mass hysteria. I'm pretty sure the Cav's have fired more people in the past couple of years than they've offered to pay mortgage for. And I'm pretty sure if Ted had walked into most of these places now offering him a job before the video hit, he would have been treated like any other person out of work & seeking employment...or worse.

This is the perfect example of how fast an interesting video posted & shared on social media can result in action and reaction from the masses because it engages them emotionally. But it's also an example of how the masses over react to 15 seconds of fame, and how they use the moment to selfishly feel good about one winner...while ignoring the losers. Come on, it's way better to live vicariously through the Steeler's than root for the Browns.

Right now Ted is "where it's at", but when the hype wears off...let's see if he invests his lotto winnings wisely, or blows it.

Bowl Of Crap

The rent is too damn high, and there are too damn many college football bowl games!

35 games, 70 teams, and a schedule that lasts until January 10th? While the NCAA and ESPN feel this is the best (most lucrative) way to showcase the college game...all it really does is dilute the entire concept. Evidenced by the schedule including 13 teams that finished the regular season 6-6...BYU, UTEP, Louisville, FIU, Georgia Tech, East Carolina, Illinois, Tennessee, Washington, Clemson, Georgia, Middle Tennessee and Kentucky. Hell, there are only 120 FBS teams eligible!

When I was younger (100 years ago) the bowl season was exciting! The very best teams got to play each other in games that were made special by the host cities. They were a highlight of the holiday season, culminating in the all-day climax on New Year's day. Then we all got back to our normal, boring lives.

Then they added the "championship" game a day or two after January 1st, which was OK. Then they added a bunch of crappy games before Christmas. Then came the BCS, stretching out the "premiere" games well past New Year's day. Then people stopped caring or buying tickets. There were more people at my neighbors Christmas party than in the stands at this years Orange Bowl.

Thank God we have tonight "off" with no game. I need time to get psyched up for tomorrow nights GoDaddy.com Bowl at Ladd-Peebles Stadium in Mobile AL featuring the scintillating match up between Middle Tennessee & Miami...of Ohio.

You Poor Bastards

So the lotto jackpot is up to a gazillion bucks tonight...but I'm not playing. While I would love to cash in and check out, I hate playing a game where the odds are so stacked against me.

As you can see from the graph, that doesn't matter to the folks who can least afford to take a shot at it. Maybe they should create a lotto game called "Poor Bastards"

Social Media Holiday

This is my first time logging on or posting to any of my Social Media since December 19th. No 12 step program, just cold turkey.

There is something satisfying in this time of information overload to be able to shut off the data stream. There are times when the amount of information I consume on a daily basis is way more than I can take action on...making me feel like I'm not doing enough. In reality, I'm just taking in more data than I can process.

I spent time over the holidays watching a few "drive in" movies from the 70's, and it struck me how little information we consumed then...but we seemed just as happy, if not more. Maybe we are not better off having constant contact.

Next chance to disconnect will be the spring trip to the islands. But until then, I'll log back on and crank up the sarcasm!