Lie to me

Social Media Lesson #1: You can't lie! 

Lying is a vital part of modern day communication. The most socially acceptable of which are the greeting lies - Good morning, How are you?, Great to meet you and the like. It's all bullshit, but it makes the world a more liveable place:). 

With social media tools like facebook and twitter, we're trained to update the world on our every move (seriously, didn't anyone read 1984???). So when we're cutting class or ditching plans, we're more likely to get busted! We can try not posting status updates in these moments, but documenting our lives is quickly becoming an involuntary action. And even if we're extra careful, people around us can tag photos and names so there's no escaping it. And can somebody please say geo-location tracking. 

Little lies can be time-saving and efficient ways to navigate through our already busy lives. Plus, they help soften the harsher moments in life. I mean, most people prefer hearing "Sorry, I have to help a friend move that day" over "Naw, I saw you yesterday and I can't tolerate 2 consecutive days of you". A simple time and stress reliever may soon be extinct because of social media. 

Let's just all calm down and not put so much weight on getting tagged in a photo. Go out there and give someone a hi-five! 

Not-So-Happy Feet

I'm a runner. In fact, nearly 2 months ago I ran my first marathon! 

The physical impact of running is debatable, but it's surface impact is undeniable with nipple chaffing, mid-section scrapes and foot damage among the most common. For me, my toes endure the most hardship.

I lost a toenail today. 

I'm sad to see it go, but I still plan on running tomorrow.

Acquainted with Dom

A few days ago, I planned to grab a drink and deliver a DVD to an acquaintance, but when the DVD delivery was cancelled and I got drenched in a thunderstorm, I needed to bail. 

Now behavioural etiquette standards are higher when dealing with acquaintances. They won't be as forgiving as friends and you can't disregard them like strangers. My plan? Convey the hardships of the day and mutually agree to re-schedule. 

As planned, I just wait for Dom to contact me...

TEXT
Dom: Hey, here's my new number. Grab a drink this evening?
Me: Got caught in the thunderstorm today and on my way home. Are we still meeting? 
Dom: Make sure you bring a broli for later ;). Where do you live again? 
Me: (Weird, Dom where I live) North London
Dom: Okay. I'll confirm a place shortly. 
Me: Getting on the tube, will shout from the other side!

CALL 
Me: Hey, it's Shelly.
Dom: Oh hey, how's it going?
Me:  (Dom sounds funny on the phone) I was with a friend from out of town. Blah, blah, blah...What did you get up to? 
Dom: Insert long, drawn out story about a car breaking down. 
Me:  (okay, I don't think this is Dom. How do I confirm my suspicion?) So... Ugh... Hmmm... 
Dom: What?
Me: (Reference a timely event only Dom would know) Did you hear what happened to Stef?  
Dom: Who's Stef? 
Me: ( What?!@?!) What?!@?! What do you mean "Who's Stef?"?
Dom: I don't know any Stef. 
Me: Okay, what's your surname?
Dom: (Laughing) I'm not telling you that. 
Me: Okay, so who do you think I am?
Dom: You seriously don't know who this is? 
Me: (What the fuck is happening here?) How did you get my number? 
Dom: You called me!

DISCONNECT DISCOVERED
Now I remember! This was some random I met for 2 minutes during the Olympic festivities. I was chatting with his girlfriend at the Austrian House and tried to exchange contact info with her because she was interested in "house-hopping" with us. However, her phone was dead, so she asked her boyfriend to provide his details - Dom!!! 

I immediately apologized for my absent-mindedness and volunteered some pleasantries by asking how he and his girlfriend enjoyed the rest of the Olympics. Dom responded with, "Oh, well we broke up. It wasn't really working out." After expressing my condolences, I hit end call and delete contact.

In all of this confusion, I forgot about the real Dom. He did not follow proper acquaintance etiquette!

Social Media Rumspringa

I've always looked down upon social media.
 

Preferring to classify myself as one of the "too cool for school" types, the over-exposed social media junkie never interested me much. For me, truly special moments aren't easily captured by film or feed. However, I'm beginning to wonder if I'm under-estimating social media? 

Am I acting Amish by avoiding the conveniences of modern technology? 

As it turns out, the Amish are way more progressive than me! While I choose to dismiss without trial, the Amish embrace the rumspringa. A rumspringa is a phase where young people take leave from their Amish beliefs to explore alternative lifestyles. This experimental period is meant to strengthen the beliefs of those who return to their communities, while providing an outlet for those who wish to deflect. 

It's always important to see things from the other side so I'm going on a social media rumspringa! 

Let's see what side I end up on...

And I'm back...

Whoa, this city can really drive you crazy and consume you, but I've re-emerged (mostly intact). 

Irish House London 2012

I'm finally getting into the Olympic spirit. I guess I had to because Katie Taylor was at the Irish Olympic House and I definitely didn't want to piss her off. She's a pretty tough chic :).