Technology Changing, Life

I'm a geek.  Really.  Truly.  Unabashedly.

I just spent a few hours listening to the keynote speakers at Google I/O 2012.  Really cool stuff coming down the pipeline, but as I spent all this time listening, I couldn't help but recall something a friend wrote a while back.

Kris wasn't complaining so much about Google in his post (I'm sure he'd be more than willing to share his views on ol' Goog), but about his issues with one of Google's products, Reader.  That said, Kris has most certainly found his way, but all of this simply parallels a few thoughts rattling around today during the keynote speeches.

Throughout the year, there comes about a number of conferences and expos that highlight upcoming technologies by various companies.  Whether it be Apple's WWDC, the E3, or Google's I/O, it's easy for consumers nowadays to stay on top of the newest crop of changes coming in the digital realms.  Excitement, frustration, and anticipation are all present amidst the glittery photos and polished videos.  I've felt all those feelings with the announcements and for all of it, it's still a rush.

So what's the point of it all?  Dylan said it best and he was is right; the times they are a changin'.  Fact 1: Change is inevitable.  Fact 2: Stagnation will always be problematic.  I would venture to state that those two statements will always be true, thus the needed change.

As a teacher, I knew that change was abound; I just never liked it.  It wasn't until not so long ago that I recognized the need and value of change.  Routine becomes boring, which becomes stagnate (you get my drift here?)... Change alters the ecosystem and brings about a stress that results in change.  I can undoubtedly proclaim that my buddy knows the value of changes and the rewards that it can bring.  I've made a few commitments to make certain changes as well.

Sometimes changes seem present only to create some drama, but often times being optimistic (even amid the turmoil and stress) can help see you through the said stress.  Facebook's recent attempt to adding friends was pulled quite quickly, but the attempt was made to change (Note:  I really have my issues with FB, so I won't dwell).  As a technogeek, the changes that Google announced today had me really excited about certain possiblilities (and saddened that the Big Blue Consonant will probably steal a few of those ideas).

 So am I a geek?  Sure.  At least, I'm one who can appreciate that the update to that app is about the developer moving forward with improvements. Google+ has added Events and I'm very stoked about it.  I'm ready to get my pictures on!

So, I leave you with the sublime words from David Bowie:

Time may change me, but I can't trace time.

Birthday Beginnings

I just had a birthday one week ago. In the weeks leading up to it, I found myself in a bit of a quandary. Quite frankly, I wasn't quite as happy with how I was looking. Now, don't get me wrong, I'm quite the handsome devil, but from a strictly physical standpoint, I could stand to shed a bit of blubbery goodness.

It wasn't anything that snuck up on me; it was there all along. And while I have begun making changes to address my earlier mentioned quandary, I found myself today deep in thought and really going through the priorities in my life.

Maybe it was an epiphany. Maybe it was the endorphin saying "Move faster fatty!". Maybe it was something more significant considering the proximity to Dec. 25. Whatever. Message received.

I thought about the material things in my life, because I've got my share. I thought about the friends that I have, that I have had, that have come and go in my rather short life. I've had challenges and cake-walks in various avenues of my life. But for all of that, it's help me become the person I am today (fat jokes all aside here folk...).

I hope that wherever you read this, whatever stage in your life you may be in, and whatever higher power you may speak to (or not), take in a moment and, without it being a cliche, realize that it very well could be worse.

Thanks for visiting. Maybe like my buddy, I can regain my blogging chops and post more regularly. But then again, priorities first.

As you go forth, I simply leave you with a very humble yet moving quote:

Empty pockets never held anyone back. Only empty heads and empty hearts can do that. ~Norman Vincent Peale

Shazam!