5 Steps to Happy Networking

So, there is an issue plaguing cyberspace that I believe needs to be tended to immediately. It's a little thing I like to call "Online Networking Etiquette". (Note: I am not griping or complaining, merely trying to make cyberspace a happier place for the masses.) The following are a list of things that, as a member of an online networking site, you should be made aware of:

1. Putting quotation marks/apostrophes around your maiden name. Ex: Leigh "MaidenName" Gibson, or Leigh 'MaidenName' Gibson. First of all, is your maiden name a direct quotation? (if so, please cite it in your "About me" section. MLA format will work.) Is your maiden name a nickname that people often call you? If you answered "No" to these questions, then join me in saying "NO" to the quotation marks around your maiden name. Believe me, simply placing your maiden name between your first and married names, with no punctuation, is sufficient. We get it. Regarding the maiden name enclosed in apostrophes... I don't even know why you would do that.

2. Leaving the "is" in your status when it clearly does not belong there. Ex: "Leigh is what are you thinking BCS!?" I could SOMEWHAT understand using an "is" where it does not belong when Facebook forced "is" into all status posts (although you could have placed words after the "is" such as "thinking", "saying", "wondering", etc), but now Mark Zuckerberg has made it possible to simply backspace through the "is" leaving us with a world of opportunity in expressing what we are doing, how we are feeling, or some passive aggressive statement directed toward someone we do not like. My recommendation for you unneeded-"is"-users is this, say the sentence in your head before typing it. If you would not use an "is" in speaking the sentence, do not use it in typing.

3. Fake relationships. It's just confusing and forces me to search through your pictures trying to figure out if you are, in fact, in a relationship that I was unaware of, suddenly gay/lesbian, or if you are joking. It calls for a lot of unnecessary Facebook stalking time which could be best spent checking out our mutual friends, or people I know on your friend list but do not want to friend request.

4. Posting pictures with the caption(s) "I'm so fat!", "Wow, this is a terrible picture of me!", "I take the ugliest pictures!", etc. The solution is simple: Don't post the picture if you think it's "terrible". You are obviously fishing for compliments, and that is annoying.

5. Incorrect usage of "I" and "me" in picture captions. Determining the correct pronoun for your caption is very simple. Allow me to explain: Say the phrase to yourself before typing the caption. For example, "I went to the store". When you decide to throw another name in the mix, "Chelsea and I went to the store." See? On the other hand, "Come to the store with me" would become "Chelsea came to the store with me". Simple as that. In captioning a picture of just you and another person smiling for the camera, it's "Chelsea and me." Always. "I" is never used in that situation. Erase it from your caption box now.

Ok, enough etiquette. I was going to post a copy of my final project for Digital Imaging (A CD cover for Bright Eyes' rap album) on here, but I think the file size might be too large, because it was taking forever to load. If anyone (Aaron Alford?) knows how to reduce the size so that I can easily place it in, please let me know!

This is all I have for now. Keep checking, though, because I finish school next week and will have much more time to update!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, CATRINA!!!!!!!!

kthxbye.

P.S.-Is it just me, or are lolcats the funniest thing ever?

Welcome to the bandwagon. We've got chocolate.

This week has been one of bandwagon jumping for me. It all started with the movie Twilight. Before you start judging me, or jumping to conclusions, you should know that I did not want to see the movie. Frankly, I thought that people's (and by "people" I mean "high school girls") obsession with this "Edward Cullen" character was a bit ridiculous. Then, I saw the movie. After much toiling over the subject, I broke down and started reading the books. While I am fully aware that this makes me a 16 year old in a 24 year old's body, my interest in these books has moved beyond "pleasure reading" to full on obsession. Maybe the book is laced with drugs? Maybe it has secret undertones hidden in the text (I should try reading it backward...) that brainwash unsuspecting readers? Maybe it is linked to the occult? Whatever the case, I love Edward Cullen, and I don't care who knows it!

Moving on...

Bandwagon number 2: Obviously, this blog. (Welcome, by the way.) The idea of starting a blog is one I've been toying with for a little while now. I tend to believe that my opinion on things is, obviously, the best one, so why not share that opinion with everyone... after drawing you all in with secret undertones hidden in the text. (I've been reading Twilight, don't mess with me.) While this blog is sure to be riveting beyond belief, and full of very intelligent, educated, and witty comments, be warned that my life is also somewhat boring... which will be evident in upcoming posts. (This shouldn't be a problem considering Americans-- including myself --seem to be drawn in by reality tv shows such as Keeping up with the Kardashians, A Shot at Love with Tila Tequila, and Brody Jenner's Bromance-- seriously, Brody?) So, anyway, keep reading if you're interested.. and, if not, then don't. I'll still post on here while assuming that everyone is checking daily for updates.

So, that's all I have for now. Other than to tell you that my Adobe Creative Suite came in the mail yesterday. HOORAY! Oh, and also that the Time Warner lady I talked to today told me to "have a blessed day"... so I am.