Expatriates vote, I listen February 21, 2008
Posted by midnightzimadreams in Elections 2008, Life, Media, New Media, Superfluous musings.add a comment
I can’t say that I’m fully, 100% behind Barack Obama. I did buy a T-shirt and fleece from his web site, the proceeds considered a donation to the campaign. But there are many times when I find myself thinking about what Hilary Clinton stands for and I am torn. She’s a fantastic candidate as well! It is very inspiring to participate in the process now that we have two amazing leaders in the race. Not that I don’t agree with some of the things McCain says and not that I don’t disagree with a few of the things both Obama and Clinton say (and I did like some of Edwards’ and a lot of Bill Richardsons’ messages) …
But one of the most important issues in my decision-making proces has to do with how the rest of the world views the United States. Until 11 years ago, I was in “the rest of the world.” And during the 2004 elections I cast my vote by absentee ballot from Freiburg, Germany where the attitude of locals towards us, U.S. exchange students, overnight.
When expatriots vote for Obama, by a 65 percent to 32 percent margin, I listen.
They could combine forces and put on the November ballot a “magic ticket” but I somehow doubt that. I can still hope for it, though.
The e-grapevine February 21, 2008
Posted by midnightzimadreams in Life, New Media, Superfluous musings.add a comment
I’ve had several friends get engaged and one become pregnant in the last year or so. I heard of all of those via the Internet grapevine – usually by mass e-mails the engaged couples and expectant parents sent to family and friends. I am not surprise and it is definitely old news that the online community is serving as a way to keep in touch with loved ones. Are we all that busy that all of our happy, most important in life, news goes out over the net? Over the weekend a high school friend was visiting and showed me her Facebook site and in her friends and extended friends networks I saw so many friends that I’ve lost touch with!
It made me think of all the friends from my Bulgarian high school that I’ve lost touch with. Is it worth joining social networking sites to reconnect with long-lost friends?
It’s an enigma to me – technology is supposed to help us all keep in touch, increase our productivity, and make us more effective human beings in general. Yet, it feels like the end results is actually that we’ve all gotten so busy, we don’t read books anymore, we read (and write) blogs, and we only have time to send a couple of mass e-mails to let our extended (and immediate) network of friends in the loop on the most important developments in our lives… On the other hand, perhaps without this network we would lose touch with friends who move away and only keep up with the newer friends we make in our new neighborhood, our new job/coworkers, etc. I’m still not sure if the Internet (e-mail, social networking web sites – I myself belong to LinkedIn – IM, blogs, etc.) are a net good or a net bad for us all.
Candy hearts and pink balloons February 14, 2008
Posted by midnightzimadreams in Life, Reminiscing, Superfluous musings.add a comment
On the bus this morning there was a man carrying a set of balloons, red and pink, those metallic kind, not see-through. You couldn’t quite make out what they spelled, but there was an “I” and a heart-shaped balloon, and something that resembled a moon. The trio was large enough to prevent most people from venturing to take the empty seat next to the guy.
Valentine’s Day should not be all pomp and over-the-top kitsch. Definitely not the only time of year when love is demonstrated. In general, love should not be equated with material stuff. Yet, a few small things, to show that you remembered, always tend to bring a smile and genuine appreciation.
I suppose part of my inner struggle is that I don’t want the pink-red heart-shaped balloons, the serenades, the cheesy grams, etc. etc. etc. Yet, if I didn’t get a bit of something small, it would feel a bit sad and lonely. It’s hypocrisy, I’m sure, but I can’t help it. I feel loved and treasure my significant other constantly, no matter what day of the year it is. And I don’t believe I’m yearning for something in particular today in order to show the rest of the world I am in love (people notice when they see us together, I’m told). So, why is it that Valentine’s Day still makes me wish for a little something…?
