Social Networking // The Head and the Heart

You all no doubt have some form of social networking, be it MySpace, Facebook, Twitter, Google+, or any other number of social network accounts. In fact, you probably have accounts on a few (if not all) of these sites. Here’s a question for you, though: Why?

Don’t think I’m attacking you for having social networking. I have an account on many of the current leaders in social networking (my favorite of which is Google+). I just want to know why you have one, because while I do have them, I almost never create original posts. I go to post something and think to myself “Will anyone really care?” I psyche myself out of posting a lot of status updates and Tumblr posts and whatnot. I feel like they’re just too trivial, too insignificant to be a productive use of someone’s feed space. And yet, despite this feeling, I find myself returning frequently to these sites to read what others have posted. Even more shockingly, I find myself writing these posts on a weekly basis when not more than a handful of people really read it, if that. Honestly, not even many of my friends make the time to read these things. (Not because they don’t support me, but because they’re all busy people. At least, that’s what I keep telling myself.)

Back on track, though. Why do people find it enjoyable to write a quick blurb on a site like Facebook or Twitter? Is it the social gratification of getting Likes or Retweets or whatnot? Or is it because they enjoy using it as an outlet for their thoughts and activities? Here’s my theory: I think almost everyone in the world just wants to tell someone about their life, about what they’re doing. I think most people want to express their interests to someone who may or may not care. I think humans are innately wired to want to share information about what’s happening to them. I don’t have any scientific evidence for this hypothesis, but I believe it’s the case for most people. While I don’t post to social networking often, I do find myself frequently telling one of my friends about something I did or saw or heard recently, even if they don’t express any interest at all in hearing about it. My flatmates probably hate me for this, but it’s just something I do.

This blog stems from the same desire. I want to share things I like, thoughts I’ve had, and opinions I hold. It’s just in my nature. So when I tell you, as I’m about to, that I love the band The Head and the Heart, and am going to a free concert of theirs tonight, I’m saying this mostly because I just want to tell someone. I want someone to know that I’m doing this, and that I enjoy this band.

The best part is of blogging about my life? I can just say these things that I want to, solely for the reason that I want to. Honestly, I’d be satisfied if even just one person read this blog and found it enjoyable. That being said, the more people who read this, enjoy it, subscribe to it, and even benefit from it, the happier I’ll become. This is going to be one of the few times I say this, but here it goes: if you enjoy this blog, if you find it entertaining at all, please share it with your friends or family. If you want to let me know you enjoy it and give me encouragement, I’d love to hear from you. You can message me on my Google+ account or hit me up on Twitter or Tumblr. Funny how I came back to social networking without even planning it. FULL CIRCLE!

Until next time,

I’m Michael, and this is my life.

Back to School // Tick Tick & Magic the Gathering

School has started. True, it started a couple weeks ago, but at the end of my second week I’m really feeling the effects of being back to classes with homework and whatnot. Almost as soon as the semester started, I became perpetually tired. It’s not like I’m getting insufficient sleep or eating poorly or anything, I’m just inexplicably tired.

The worst part of being back in school, though, has to be the complete and sheer amount of homework and the consequential lack of free time. I work about 14 hours per week, and I am taking four classes, all of which have required weekly reading, and three of which have required weekly writing. I wouldn’t say I’m swamped, but if I chose to, I could spend all of my ‘free time’ doing homework. No matter how much I do, it almost always feels like there’s something more I could be doing.

One of the best decisions I’ve made thus far this school year is to stay organized. Aside from just getting folders and notebooks for each class, I’ve downloaded an app on my computer and phone called Tick Tick. Tick Tick is a to-do list app that allows you to create multiple projects (for me, these are my classes, as well as a section for errands and such). It allows you to prioritize your tasks so that you can see what’s most important and what you could maybe save until later. Most importantly, you can set reminders/due dates for your tasks, which will pop up on your phone to help keep you on track.

But even with all my homework and such, I still hold true to my philosophy, though: always make some time for true, glorious, relaxing free time. I’m not saying I don’t do my homework, or that you shouldn’t do yours. That would be a terrible decision, really. I’m just saying that I’d recommend that you, like me, make sure to structure your weeks so that you get a little free time each day if possible. It helps keep me sane, really.

Personally, I find that Magic the Gathering (a long-running, extremely popular trading card game) is a fantastic way to unwind. One of my flatmates collects with me, and we frequently build, tweak, and rebuild decks, all the while testing them to see if they work well. Once you get the general gist of the game (which is pretty easy), it becomes fun to try and build a solid deck. It’s an expensive hobby (though not as expensive as some other hobbies), but it’s so much fun. Even if MTG isn’t for you, find or choose at least one hobby or activity to do frequently during your free time to help you unwind.

Reminding all you students (and, really, everyone) to relax, stay organized, and stay sane,

I’m Michael, and this is my life.

Exercise is Awesome // Support Your Local Library

Recently, I went on an approximately 26 mile biking trip. Now, to some of you that may seem short and easy, to others that may seem long. I’m in the latter category. Prior to university, the longest I had biked was 7 miles, and I was completely worn after that. During the early years of middle school, I was a chubby child. It was only when I got my major growth spurt that I began to thin out, but even then the thinning was merely aesthetic. I was not by any means fit. I stayed this way until I joined my high school’s ultimate team, at which point I began to get somewhat into shape. I still struggled, however, with my stamina. My biggest obstacle, in terms of fitness, throughout my life has been my stamina when exercising. So when I say I biked 26 miles, I’m saying it in the way a parent announces that their eldest child has graduated high school: with pride and astonishment. It’s not that I doubted that I’d make it so much as I failed to believe it—a difference I’ll leave you to think about.

I’m not here to brag about my personal achievements, though. Okay, I am a little, but mostly I’m here to talk to you about my thoughts, so here they are: exercise is the single most painful and despicable fun thing you could ever do, and I’d encourage each and every one of you to do it. Get off of your computer (not yet! You should finish this first.) and get outside. If you’re already super fit, then great! If not, that’s okay. I’m not really all that fit, either. Just go out there and do something, be it a walk, a run, a bike ride, or whatever. Get some aerobic exercise today, and keep doing it. It’s so rewarding.

Anyway. Back to the trip. I biked 26 miles with my girlfriend from campus down to her parents’ house. While down there, we went to the local library which was having their annual book sale. We found stacks and stacks of good books ranging from young adult to adult, fantasy to mystery, and so on. The best part? These books were incredibly reasonable in their pricing, and all the money went to support the library.

Most libraries in my area have some sort of book sale, be it annual or monthly or whatever. I always love going, because I find such great deals on quality books. More importantly, though, I support the local library. Libraries are, sadly, a dying breed. They are underfunded and underappreciated in many areas. Many of the people who are left using these establishments are only hardcore readers and elderly folks with plenty of time. The number of youth who use the library is dwindling. I’m here to encourage you to go out and support your library. Check out a book, attend the book sale, maybe even make a donation. Your library is a fantastic resource with hundreds of books for pleasure or research. Not into books? Most libraries also have a fantastic selection of movies, music, and sometimes even games! The library closest to my current apartment happens to be incredibly small, but I’m continually amazed by their amazing selection of quality films.

So get some exercise and support quality local establishments by walking, running, or biking on down to your nearest library. If you’re not familiar with your local library, then I’d encourage you to swing by and check it out.  Get exercise and a good book/film!  Not sure what to check out? Talk to the librarians there! Librarians have a vast knowledge of the content in their libraries and will be more than happy to help you find something to suit your interests.

Encouraging you to get off your computer, get out there, and get a good book,

I’m Michael, and this is my life.