The Downside of Social Networks

Today I woke up and thought to myself, "Great...another day...Thank you Lord"

If you saw a post like that on a social network, would you think the statement was made with gratitude or resignation?

It's a litte hard to tell isn't it?

What if the statement looked like this: Today I woke up and thought to myself, "The sun is shining, the birds are singing...it's another beautiful day! Thank you Lord!"

It is a lot easier to see that statement is one of gratitude.

What if it looked like this: Today I woke up and thought to myself, "Great...another day...wonder what I'll screw up? How many things will go wrong? Ugh."

It's pretty obvious that statement is one of resignation.

Unfortunately, there are a lot of things written on social networks where you can't tell what/how the author is feeling. Chances are very good that if you saw the first statement and you were feeling grateful, you would see the statement as one of gratitude. However, if you were feeling resigned, you would see it as resignation. Or whatever other feeling or emotion you were feeling at the time.

What YOU are feeling...not how the author of the statement feels.

That's a big downside to social networks. You are not face to face. Unless it is very obvious, you have no way of knowing what another person is thinking or feeling. It is too easy to jump to conclusions. Too easy to assign your feelings to another person.

Social networks are a great thing. You can reconnect with people you haven't seen in years. You: can make new friends. You can stay in touch with those that live far away. You can stay in touch with those that live close.

But keep in mind that when you read something another person has written and it is not obvious how they are feeling/thinking, be careful not to jump to any conclusions. I think it is something we all do, and it is very easy to cause a problem where one didn't exist.

Just food for thought.

How the Blackberry was "Born"

I was looking at my phone one day and was just wondering how the designers decided what they were going to call it.

Here is my version of the story:

Imagine a large conference table with people seated around it. There is a power point presentation and this symbol is currently on it...

The woman giving the presentation says, "This is the symbol we have all agreed should represent our new phone. Now we just need a name for it."

Several possible suggestions were thrown out but none were accepted.

Someone says, "We need a name that will match the symbol."

A man asks, "But what is it?"

Everyone sits and stares at the symbol. Minutes tick by.

A lady finally speaks up..."You know, it kind of looks like a blackberry."

And that's how the blackberry phone got it's name...







I Think the Words Chocolate Cake are Redundant

I just recently made the first "from scratch" chocolate cake I've made in years. I've always bought into the whole "boxed mixes are so easy" concept. However, I've discovered after making this one that it is just as easy to make one from scratch. And it tastes so much better!

Here is the recipe I used for the cake:

ONE BOWL CHOCOLATE CAKE

Ingredients

• 2 cups white sugar
• 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 2 eggs
• 1 cup milk
• 1/2 cup vegetable oil
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1 cup boiling water

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease and flour two nine inch round pans.
2. In a large bowl, stir together the sugar, flour, cocoa, baking powder, baking soda and salt. Add the eggs, milk, oil and vanilla, mix for 2 minutes on medium speed of mixer. Stir in the boiling water last. Batter will be thin. Pour evenly into the prepared pans.
3. Bake 30 to 35 minutes in the preheated oven, until the cake tests done with a toothpick. Cool in the pans for 10 minutes, then remove to a wire rack to cool completely.               

And here is the recipe for the frosting:

CHOCOLATE FROSTING

1/3 c. butter, melted
1/3 c. cocoa
1/2 tsp. vanilla
2 c. powdered sugar
2 tbsp. milk (more as needed)

Whisk together butter and cocoa. Add vanilla. Mix in powdered sugar gradually and alternately with milk. Frost cool cake.

 

 

 

This is a great recipe...very moist cake.

 

I don't know if I'll ever be satisfied with a boxed mix again. YUM!

 

 

Whole Lot of Shakin'

I experienced my first earthquake last night. In Arkansas. Crazy huh? There actually is a pretty big fault line that runs through east Arkansas, so they aren't completely unheard of. But I've lived in this area for most of my life and this is the first one I've experienced. This one was a 5.6, and the epi center was about 39 miles from Stillwater OK.

It was just a normal Saturday night. Shane and I were both kicked back in recliners with laptops on our laps. We heard it as a noise first. I thought it was the wind really kicking up. Then the shaking started. We were both sitting there looking at each other with "what in the world?" looks on our faces. I'm not sure how long it lasted. It seemed really short, and yet seemed to last forever at the same time. As soon as it was over, Shane says, "that was an earthquake!" So of course, being the avid facebookers that we are, had to jump online to see if anyone else felt that. Turns out it was felt from Oklahoma to Arkansas, Kansas and Texas. Craziness!

A little bit later, a car went by the house. It was one that was kind of "rumbly" so it kind of unnerved us a bit. We were wondering for a second if it was another one. I don't know how the people in California live with them happening on a regular basis. While I have to admit I think it was kind of neat to experience one...I think once...was enough.

Although...this morning I thought I felt another one...but then I realized it was just the Dear Hubby rolling over in bed. :0)

Wrong Pillow, Restless Night, Sore Body

I changed the sheets on the bed yesterday. I have two pillows but only use one and I didn't pay enough attention to which pillow went into which pillowcase. I won't make that mistake again.

When I was going to sleep, I couldn't figure out why I couldn't get comfortable. Tried laying on my left side until my shoulder started to ache...ditto with the right side. When I tried laying on my back, both shoulders ached. Ugh! I finally fell asleep propped sitting up against the wall. Which meant I woke up two hours later because my hips and lower back hurt from the pressure. Tried laying down again and that is when I discovered that I had been using the wrong pillow. Shoulders still hurt trying to lay on my side so I tossed and turned for a couple hours before falling asleep on my back. I actually slept for several hours then but woke up so stiff and sore I wasn't sure I could move. It's kind of scary to wake up and not be sure if you can roll over. I thought I was going to have to wake up the hubby to help me.

Who knew that sleeping on the wrong pillow could wreck such havoc on my body? Stupid fibro!

Miracle Grow and Bubbles and Bows

Took Suki to see Dr Davis for a booster shot today. She has one more booster to go along with her rabies shot. Her weight today was 6.3 pounds so she has gained 2 pounds since her last shot two weeks ago. Someone recently asked me what I was feeding her after seeing how much she had grown...I answered Miracle Grow :0) She loves Dr Davis! When she saw him she wriggled all over and when he picked her up, she climbed him like a tree to give him kisses. She sure loves attention and thinks everyone exists to give it to her. He says there is a lot of personality packed into those 6.3 pounds.

While we were out, I also took her by Bubbles and Bows to meet Christy, the groomer. Suki was so excited to meet someone new. We went ahead and made her first appointment for Wednesday. She will get a bath and a trim. Yay...I don't have to bathe her this week! There are some weeks when standing at the sink long enough to bathe her totally wipes me out. My hips and back will ache! One more way the fibro rears it's ugly head. Christy just loved all over her. I know Suki will be in good hands with her. She is such a great groomer. She is the only one we ever took Kiki to where she didn't come home tramatized. If you need a groomer, I highly recommend Christy at Bubbles and Bows in Lowell.

Suki and Storms

It stormed last night. Took Suki outside one last time before bed. Suki is my 14 week old Shih Tzu. It wasn't raining yet but it was lightning and some crazy thunder. Apparently Suki isn't going to be afraid of storms. My previous Shih Tzu Kiki was terrified of them. During one of the thunders that went on and on and on, she just stood there with her head tilted up, listening. When it was done, she went about her business. Nice to know that they don't stress her out. :0)

The Princess Bride

I watched The Princess Bride for the first time last night. I know...I know...how did I get to the age of, well let's just say I was a teenager in the 80's, and never see this movie. I've heard it referenced many times, heard quotes from it, but had never seen it. So I am browsing thru OnDemand last night and see that it is playing on one of the premium channels. So why not? Cute movie. I really enjoyed it. Now if I can only get my husband Shane to answer me with those 3 wonderful words...As You Wish. :0)