Are You Twittering, MySpacing, Facebooking or Blogging?: What Are YOU Up To?

June 11, 2009

“Jane says why would you come without tissue? I had no IDEA! BRAVO BRAVO!!”- Oprah on seeing RUINED on June 6^th.

Isn’t amazing how with all the sites that can keep us “in touch” there is always a new one popping up that gets even more amazing? We can not only see what our friends are doing, but we can check up on our favorite celebs like Oprah, Ashton Kutcher, Demi Moore, and everyone else.

When I first heard about MySpace, I remember it was my first year of college and the guy I was dating hung out in a place called the SA Café on campus. I and everyone else I knew considered this hang out for the… geeks. Anyway, he hung out there and often told me of this MySpace fiasco that had everyone raving. I stuck to my guns though, I wanted nothing to do with it, why I don’t know, but I was sure it wasn’t something I wanted to be hooked to.

Unfortunately, I wasn’t holding on to my guns too tight and I soon slipped away onto my computer and typed in www.myspace.com. This was it. I was joining the millions of people. Soon, I was lost in a world of finding old classmates, updating my profile, search for layouts and glittery signs, googling different banners and commenting on all my friends. I was telling my mom about this great site and making her and everyone make a page. I had all the places to get cool layouts bookmarked, and even tried to befriend anyone and everyone.

Then came Facebook. A place I thought I had really not one ounce of interest in. Though, for some reason, I logged into www.facebook.com and made an account. Granted I still am weak in the facebook area, I still have an account.

Then it was Blogger. This really caught my fancy and I never said I wouldn’t do this one. With no hesitation I typed in www.blogger.com I found this one to be my favorite place. With all the writing I do, I figured this would be the place where I could have my own on-line portfolio. I soon found myself with a blog for my every day, a blog for my writing and a blog for my photography. I find myself constantly checking to see if anyone commented my posts, or to see if anyone finds my stuff interesting so much that they want to follow me so they don’t miss a thing.

Now the new thing is Twitter. I was sure, that with every fiber of my being that I would never get mixed up in this site. I saw no need to advertise to the world what I was doing and when I would be or was doing it. But this site was plastered everywhere! The TV was talking about it, CNN was talking about it, and it was in many articles on the internet. I was not free- they were trying to buy my attention for this www.twitter.com site with every place I looked. They even got me with my favorite actor. You know, it was Ashton Kutcher who made me make an account? I honestly can say I DO NOT KNOW WHY I MADE AN ACCOUNT! Then- it happened. My Aunt who is slightly computer illiterate, became a Twitterer. I couldn’t believe it. I had the account and blew off the site for a month. Now, just today, I have twittered six times. SIX! About everything; what I am watching, what I am writing, what I am just generally doing.

This is it. I am an internet communication junkie. I can be found here, there and everywhere. I am logging into sites like my hometown newspaper and leaving comments on heated articles, I am posting my articles there and letting people from my community battle it out with their opinions, then I am spreading it to CNN with iReports! And letting communities everywhere know about a place that most people cannot spell or pronounce properly (unless you are from here). I have passwords I have to remember, sites bookmarked and updates I make daily.

I am Ashley Vincent and currently I am ending this article because I think I made my point, and now it is lunch time. My two-year-old is craving Peanut butter and Fluff. Mmm! (I even Twittered that exact sentence.) What are you up to?

David Carradine Opened My Eyes

Some People Who Died in 2009 and Will be Missed: January 02 - Jet Travolta January 04 - Martin Patterson 'Pat' Hingle January 06 - Cheryl Holdridge January 8 - Claude Jeeter January 8 - Don Galloway January 13 - Patrick McGoohan January 14 - Ricardo Montalban January 27 - John Updike February 6 - James Whitmore February 11 - Estelle Bennett February 28 - Paul Harvey (Aurandt) March 7 - Jimmy Boyd March 13 -Betsy Blair, Alan W. Livingston, Andrew Martin March 14- Alain Bashung, Altovise Davis March 15 -Ron Silver March 18 -Natasha Richardson March 22- Jade Goody March 25- Dan Seals March 27 -Irving R Levine March 29- Andy Hallett April 9- Nick Adenhart April 25 -Beatrice (Bea) Arthur May 1- Danny Gans May 2 - Jack Kemp May 4 - Dom DeLuise May 18- Wayne Allwine June 3- David Carradine

June 5, 2009

When someone dies, we don’t really take too much notice unless it is one of three things: 1) It is a family member or friend, 2) It is a BIG name person (i.e. singer, actor or any other celebrity), or 3.) Someone close to someone that is close to us (i.e. your best friend’s boyfriend’s best friend’s mother; in which case you hear about it because your best friend tells you.)

Just a couple days ago, David Carradine was found dead in Bangkok. I do not know who he is by name or picture. But when I searched him on IMDB, I found out he was Bill on the popular movies Kill Bill. I have never seen these movies except for previews. I have heard about them though and know the titles. But, nevertheless, I still never saw a movie with David in it. And like I always do, (I am known as the “news girl” in my family) I immediately told my boyfriend about the death of this actor, thinking he may have known who he is. He blew off this news because he doesn’t know David Carradine’s work either.

However, today, I am looking at my usual news sites, PEOPLE.com and CNN; both of which have him plastered on the front pages because his death is “suspicious.” And still, I read the latest news about him, just because that is the way I am. I have to know everything- it is the journalist in me. I read an interesting quote from his niece, actress Martha Plimpton on People.com, “He was the nexus of our family in so many ways, and drew us together over the years and kept us connected. I adored him as a child, and as an adult I admired and respected him. We will all miss him terribly."

When I read this, it came to my realization that this was a man who had a family. Everyone who dies comes from somewhere and has someone who cares for them. We little people think of him just as another actor, but this man had friends and family who will miss him. He was an uncle to this woman not just some actor. He was her uncle who she looked up to.

So the next time someone dies and it catches your attention for any reason, take a minute to honor that person’s memory- if you knew them… or not.

A Red Spot

ARedSpot

If I had to choose one time in my life when I think I was the most embarrassed- I’d have to say 8^th grade. I was at a new school, making new friends in all my new classes with new teachers. It was a crazy world for me- this being the first time I had ever changed schools before.

Of course I had no choice in the matter, my mom and I had to leave because she was divorcing an abusive alcoholic, and we moved from the city where my friends lived next door and I was one street away from the school to… the middle of nowhere, where the closest house was a 20 minute drive away and I had to ride the bus for an HOUR to get to school. What a downgrade. But being 14 at the time, I had nothing to say. I went where my mom went.

I made friends- Chazy. That wasn’t her really name, but that is what she told me to call her. Everyone did call her that, but I still don’t know why (almost 12 years later). But her and I had almost every class together. The last period of the day we had music class. I don’t remember for sure if we had music at the end of every day, but this particular day, we had music at the end. I was wearing a white skirt, aside from that I can’t remember too much. I do remember we were watching a movie in the class. I don’t know who it was about, but if I had to guess it would be- Mozart.

Either way, I know we both excused ourselves from class with a “hall pass” to go to the bathroom. We were sick of the long film and there were only 10 minutes left in the day before the clock stuck 3 p.m. and the bell rang to let us go home.

Her and I went to the bathroom, Chazy following behind me down the hall. “What is that?” Chazy’s voice echoed through the hall as I turned around to see her pointing in the direction of my butt. “Oh my Ash, I think you have a problem.”

She hurried me to the bathroom, blocking my behind from anyone who could see in the hall. Me, still wondering what it was, pushed open the door to the girl’s room and said “HELLO?” to see if anyone else was presently skipping class.

“Take off your skirt.” Chazy’s eyes were the size of apples.

“Excuse me?” to my astonishment, she was seriously asking me to remove the lower half of my clothing. Let me tell you this little fact- no one, no matter what age, if they are in school, they never want to be the one that is sent to the nurse for an extra pair of pants because they had an “accident.”

“Ash, have you ever had your…” She cleared her throat as if to mean it to be something I should have guessed so she wouldn’t have to say it to me.

“What? Just tell me.”

“Period.”

“Exclamation point.” I replied. “Question mark. Quotations…” I found this game to be lame and could not understand why were in the bathroom listing all the signs of punctuation.

“No, your period. Your red spot, on your skirt- your period.”

My face went pale and I could feel my stomach fall to my feet and out my toes. This was it, I finally started my period and it had to happen at school, 10 minutes before the end of the day on a Friday with a white skirt on.

I was embarrassed. “It’s okay Ash, I will rinse it out and you can use your jacket to cover it on the way home.”

And that is what I did. To this day, Chazy is the only one who knows the incident besides my mom who had a pretty good laugh of it, and now you.

A Handful of Pennies for Your Thoughts and a Handful of Change to Send Them

Forever Stamp Date Stamp Price (cents) July 6, 1932 .03 January 1, 1952 .03 August 1, 1958 .04 January 7, 1963 .05 January 7, 1968 .06 May 16, 1971 .08 March 2, 1974 .10 September 14, 1975 .10 December 31, 1975 .13 May 29, 1978 .15 March 22, 1981 .18 November 1, 1981 .20 February 17, 1985 .22 April 3, 1988 .25 February 3, 1991 .29 January 1, 1995 .32 January 10, 1999 .33 January 7, 2001 .34 July 1, 2001 .34 June 30, 2002 .37 January 8, 2006 .39 May 14, 2007 .41 May 12, 2008 .42 May 11, 2009 .44

May 11, 2009

A penny for your thoughts, depending how you look at it can either be too expensive or too cheap. On one hand, maybe someone’s thoughts are not important enough for someone to spend one cent and one second of their money and time to be listening to. On the other hand, maybe someone’s thoughts are so profound, so inspiring and so amazing that putting a price of one cent on them is ridiculous because perhaps this person’s thoughts are “priceless.”

But for years before we were even thought of in this world, things continued to increase in price. Our thoughts have always come for a small price when we have wanted to send them through the United States Postal Service (USPS), and of course using some other carrier (i.e. FedEx or UPS) the price is most definitely a dollar amount. However, since 1932, the price has been raised from .03 cents to .44 cents- a .41 cents difference over the 77 years.

I suppose that the USPS might be trying to help us with saving some pocket change too. By introducing the Forever Stamp two years ago, the USPS has sold millions while people save a couple pennies here and there to send their mail. Forever Stamps are always sold at the same price as a regular First-Class Mail stamp. The post office says that the Forever Stamp was created to ease the transition of the price hikes.

Maybe as the price goes up, more people will call their family and friends rather than send them mail. Who knows, with texting on the rise, maybe something new will be invented that we will not have to worry about the price of stamp because it will not be needed as often. Then again, there already is e-mail.

Big Heart for a Little Girl with a Mission

April 27, 2009

On Friday, April 3, 2009, a shooter walked into the American Civic Association and open fired- killing 13 victims taking an English class, before turning the gun on himself and taking his own life. It is obvious that everyone in Binghamton and even surrounding areas, along with other countries are mourning after the shooting that took place on that rainy Friday morning.

However, while some kids are not affected by this tragedy or some are more consumed with question on why, 10-year-old, Emily Miller of Cornell Ave in Binghamton was springing into action to put together a street-garage sale/fundraiser; the fundraiser to help the victim’s families.

Emily is just like any other 10-year-old girl. She attends school during the weekdays and church on the weekend. She likes to play with her friends and ride bikes as well. You see, Emily is not any different from anyone else who is her age, unless of course, you take the fact that she has a big heart for a little girl into consideration.

“I wanted to help the families. I am happy to do this, but I don’t want to be ‘proud.’ I am not doing this for me to be noticed,” Emily said.

And as much as everyone knows that, they still cannot help but throw her some words of their happiness. “This is a wonderful, self-less act that I cannot believe you have come up with,” said Debra Vincent of Binghamton.

Self-less is what made Emily be noticed, and not just by garage-salers and neighbors. Channel 12 WBNG TV stopped by on Friday April 17^th with their camera equipment and interviewed her for their 5:00 p.m. and 11:00 p.m. news that night. “They just stopped here and took some pictures and asked me some questions.” Emily said of the reporters.

“Remember we went to the funeral last week? This is for that,” A lady explained to her young daughter, speaking of Parveen Ali who was one of the victim’s on April 3 and whom she knew.

In the two days that Emily Miller and her family had set up their garage sale, Emily made $538.00 in just donations with help from a couple of people on the street with canisters as well. The money will be donated to the victim’s families this week which happens to be National Crime Victims Rights Week.

We’re Going for a Walk

This is a children's book I wrote.

We’re going for a walk; we’re going for a walk.

Walk, walk, walk and talk, talk, talk, and we’re going for a walk.

Walk around what do you see, sitting over there in that big old oak tree?

It’s an owl. He says “Woo woo.”

“Who? It’s me…”

Woo. “Me you silly.”

Walk around what is that sound, is there something over there on the ground?

It’s a squirrel. They gather nuts for the long winter ahead.

Help pick them up one by one,

Gather all the nuts until they are all gone.

Walk around what do you see, moving around in that tree?

Tweet tweet tweet, it’s a robin in her nest.

They sing all spring can we sing too?

“La la la la la.”

Walk around what is that, circling around… is it a cat?

Let’s walk over near the trunk,

Mommy grabs my hand and says, “No honey, it’s a skunk!”

Quickly run back into the house; let’s get out of here,

We will be safer by the window, my dear.

Here we sit watching that big old tree,

It was a nice adventure outside,

But I’d rather be in baking cookies with mommy.

An All-American Kind of Place

April 10, 2009

Sitting in a little bit from the road there is a long narrow building called “Danny’s Diner.” Run almost completely by women, the diner is well-known for its classic diner breakfasts still served on old-fashion hard plastic plates. Lately, the parking lot (which is bigger than the diner itself) has been pack every morning. And when one car pulls out, one is waiting to get in.

Established in 1970, this place that almost looks like an old train car is still holding strong here on Main St. in Binghamton, N.Y. Danny's Diner is what every Diner Lover could want. It harkens back to another era where decent homemade roadside food was the norm. But who can go wrong with a standard all-American delicious breakfast in a non-chain diner? It is all there with really good prices! There is French toast, eggs, pancakes, bacon, omelets and sausage all reasonable priced.

“It took me awhile to check this place out, shame on me. I am not big on diners - that is changing thanks to Danny's Diner,” A diner called, Mike said.

And I too must admit, I have drove past this place millions of times- as you can imagine, and never stopped in. I would just tell myself, “I really need to go there sometime.”

So for the five dollars in my pocket and the hunger starting to growl in my belly, I went in for a breakfast that cost just about five dollars exactly.