Twestimony

My name is Adam and I tweet.

I was a middle adopter. A friend whose social media preferences I respect sent me an invitation. For a while it laid dormant in my inbox, then on a whim I signed up. I was still on my Facebook honeymoon so it was largely neglected. I texted when I remembered and randomly. Mostly it consisted of the random things that came to my head as I traversed through life.

But it started to get more publicity and more credibility and I explored. When Iranian election results were blacked out to media, and tweets were the only source of news and images I definitely paid more attention. My conversion and subsequent downfall has been the upgrade to a new phone. Armed with an app, it's basically won me over. The access to information and catharsis is a magnetic brew. If life is the university, then Twitter is the student center lounge. There's tons of interesting conversations, intellectual and ignorant and whatever exists in between. You take of it what you wish and hopefully you leave entertained/refreshed/inspired/questioning/searching/annoyed even. But if you use it right, it can be for the good. Of course there are people who have no lives and spend their whole days waddling in ignorance. Like I said you give and take what you want.

For example my Tuesday on Twitter went like this: Woke to an inspirational devotional from a friend in Missouri; had an absurd 'debate' with a friend in New York and another in Virginia about men who use the term SMH; got election day returns from around the country; also received World Series updates; not to mention the random humorous comments and interesting news links that I've grown accustomed to daily. And at the end of the day I got into a discussion where I could relive the tetherball glory of my youth. I randomly said something about Maine and whiteness. Within minutes I learned about the Volvo line and quiet racism that persists in the state. Not only is information so readily available, it's surprisingly pertinent and enlightening so consistently.

So far Twitter has introduced me to new people, two of which I physically met when they gave me a lead to a party when I was in DC. It's helped me network and helped with greater insight into my academic and career pursuits. Been put onto concerts, books, and events I would have had no idea about. I even learned one of my favorite singers is a Sabbatarian.

Maybe the most surprising product of my Twitter experience has been how inspiring it has been when my spirit was low. Sending a tweet about being down and seeing words of encouragement from people I don't even know in real life is edifying on a whole other level. I've had deep discussions about love of Christ and issues with religion and church attendance. Twitter has honestly sparked more deep introspection into my walk through life.

My Facebook addiction has waned but I'm not putting it out to pasture (that will be MySpace eventually). Facebook still is good for a whole different type of sharing. But in that same university of life, Facebook is more like the alumni relations office. When it's time to be active, to Twitter I will go (and share some of the best w/ Facebook)

I scoffed at the 140 character limit but never more. In addition to helping be more succinct and to the point, it helped me learn new things about people I know. It also got me to interact with new people who share my perspectives but also bring fresh ones. And in these last tumultuous months, Twitter has led to rediscovering how much life there is to lead out there. 140 characters has been especially liberating.
Adam Carnegie

Where Sinning Happens

http://www.lasvegassun.com/photos/galleries/2009/mar/25/seven-deadly-sins-nationwide/#

Researchers diagrammed where the crimes of these sins happen most frequently. And this is how I restart my nonexistent writing career

Hang Me With The Strap

I've always bragged about the city of New York's transportation system. The fact that it had round the clock service and that its reach was so vast. Between trains and buses, there aren't many sections that you can't get to in the city. And even the outer reaches when you include the Long Island commuter buses and Metro North. I used to defend the authority when people said the service wasn't that great. Considering how what they do though, I thought it was fine. And knowing what you know about the thing you can always plan ahead.

But lately, I have even noticed it has been getting worse. Every weekend there are drastic alterations to schedules and molasses speed service. The other night, I got through D'Angelo's "Greatdayndamornin'/Booty" about 4.5 times before an F train came. I know it was a weekend night, but that song is about 7 minutes long. They're more and more inconsistent. And more and more crowded.

Now comes news that its only going to get worse. And we'll have to pay more for it. $2.50 a ride? For what? This is total insanity. And then more service cuts. And $103 a month to be unlimited? This is insane.

This is our new reality I guess. I hope it all works out in the end. I love the subway. Its the thing that always makes me feel at home. I hope this is just temporary though. Governor Paterson needs a homerun and rescuing the MTA could be a start.

A Step Forward For The Economy?

While searching for old D'Angelo videos for an impromptu lecture, I mistakenly clicked an ad. The pop-up took its time to load but for some reason, I didn't close the window. I was curious about what craziness I had signed onto. And boy was I in for a treat.

Introducing Latisse, the first FDA approved cosmetic treatment for eyelashes. I must say, I often worry about those with anemic eyelashes, an epidemic that seems to have risen with radiation exposure and recession driven stress. Finally an answer.

I must say this just speaks to the integrity of the American endeavor. According to this, the product is just the cosmetic formulation of a drug used to treat glaucoma. And bonus, it might reduce fat tissue too. This might be the cure all wonder drug. How do they figure this stuff out any way? Well I trust the good folks at Allergan. Go America!

I know there will be less people getting this product but you know there will be enough and then people will celebrate their recoveries with even more purchases of all the wonder derivatives of eye medicine. I know its radical, but this could be game changing.

It's Hard Out Here For A Pimp

Each day brings news of hard times from every corner of the globe. Now word that even the elderly are maiming themselves for the piece of that pie. From Spain, it seems that a 66 year old man took it upon himself to load about 5 kilos (11 pounds for the uninitiated) of cocaine on his person, including a cast on his leg. In addition to the 6 cans of beer and 2 folding stools loaded with cocaine, it seems our friend, or his associates, broke the leg to make sure it was more authentic to arouse less suspicion.

If that guy had some quality health care, I bet he wouldn't have done it.

On The Table

For some reason, I used to occupy unbridled air on this page. Some sort of spirit must have come over me but I was amazingly honest. Open and deep, just laying it all out there. Hoping and saying it out loud.

When did I get so scared? Maybe all of life just hit me that quick. I've gotten a whole lot more cautious.

But time runs short and I'm tired of waiting to see how things play out.

I'm scared
I'm optimistic
I am ever so worried
Confused
But I honestly know I will figure it all out

And it all begins now.