Robot Culture

I've become increasingly aware of the progression of media in our lives.

This morning, I was bombarded by a wealth of information about the changes taking place in the social realm.
For example, did you know that we are currently witnesses to a cold-war between Facebook, Twitter and Google?

Read the Article!

As each site struggles to become more relevant to users, it makes me wonder when (not if) the day will come when we go through one site to receive all our information. Facebook will have a world news feed (no not status updates), weather features, political debates, email, chat, phone conversations, recipes, blogging features, etc. all within the company's own platform. We will never have to leave!

This worries me.

Thanks to the genius of online marketing, all of the advertisements, daily news, networking suggestions that I see and more are tailored very specifically to me, the user, via the information that I make available, read, and search for.  Don't get me wrong. I have a significant stake in the progression of social marketing. It will influence nearly every aspect of my future career and likely my children's education and how I connect with the world. While this a fantastic opportunity for businesses to grow and marketers, like myself to reach their audience on a much more targeted level, it makes me question how this information will shape us.

In generating media from a users network, do we risk creating a culture that is spoon-fed it's information thereby jeopardizing our generations intelligence? For example, because my LinkedIn profile is filled with resume data that alludes to interests in social media, marketing and event management, all the news stories filtered to my homepage are related to such. What about politics or environmental issues? What about education or world issues? What about information that we don't know we should know?

We are fed content that only perpetuates our niche of interests. What is the likelihood that an individual will actively seek out information contrary to what is currently provided to them? Probably slim to none without a significant catalyst to initiate such a change. Even if a change is initiated, then they just become part of another niche group that largely seeks out A but also has a small interest in B. Eventually, wouldn't we all just end up in little specialized information-demographic groups? 
Specialization over differentiation.

Wouldn't this lead to our media being controlled by those who have the greatest stake in the content?
Are we to become something of a robot-culture that is taught what to think about, what to talk about, and what to do based upon this extreme media marketing?

1984 anyone?

Encouragement

Normally, when I pen a new blog post I don't determine the title until I've finished writing it.
I do this in part because I don't always know what I'm going to write about when I start and also because it requires me to come up with a creative way to tie everything together.
Today, I knew exactly what I needed to call this one.. and bear with me, it's lengthy.

. . .

God must have known that this morning wasn't going to bring good news so he blessed us with a bit encouragement in throughout the day.

The Bad: I woke up this morning only to have my computer go into what is called "kernel panic."

After much research and trying to troubleshoot from support forums online, I kind of went into "Claire panic." We do NOT have the money to fix a computer, restore data, or replace a Macbook. This just was not a great way to start my day.

The Good: When Aaron got laid off we assumed we had health coverage until the end of the month. This was not the case. Unfortunately, by the time we realized this, I had already gone on two doctors appointments (knowing our coverage was about to end). Thankfully, he explained our situation to my doctor who agreed to reduce our bill by 60%! We needed this little act of mercy.

The Bad: I received a letter in the mail from the Texas Workforce Commission the other day that I subsequently ignored and didn't open. (If you've ever dealt with TWC and unemployment benefits, they send you mail like every day so I didn't think anything of it.) Well this particular letter, which I read this morning, informed me that I no longer have any benefits and will not be receiving future unemployment compensation.
Could today get any more frustrating?

The Good: I have two more interviews this week. One is a phone interview for a job with a great company as an events coordinator. (The Little Bad: Its only a 4-month temporary position with no benefits... which is better than nothing at this point. Who knows what it could turn into.) The other job, a marketing/sales position, will take us back to Aaron's hometown. He is pretty much elated that I have an interview there because he really wants to move back and be closer to his friends. Plus he is excited for the upcoming mini-vacation for my interview.

The Bad: I had a migraine today. Not that this by itself would make my day awful, but it certainly does not help. My migraine meds are so expensive (even with insurance) that I wont take them unless I'm practically falling over, barfing, or dying... usually its the latter. I wouldn't wish daily or even weekly migraines on anyone.

The Good: Today ended on a slightly positive note. Actually it was a note that did it. Here's an excerpt from what I received in my inbox a few hours ago..

It reads: 

"As I was reading your blog, I was remembering how difficult it was when I got laid off almost two years ago. God has a way of using us when we least expect it, so I wanted to share that he used your experiences to help me today. I was laid off from [the same company that laid me off] this afternoon, but I am sure it is for the best. There may be other opportunities, but what helped me maintain a positive attitude was seeing you use the time you have had constructively. You're a wonderful writer and incredibly creative. I know God has great things in store for you, and am excited to hear about them when they come."

. . .

Knowing that somehow, between ranting and pouring my heart out, God is using what I write to encourage others brings me such joy. I can't imagine going through this situation if I didn't have a relationship with God to run to for comfort and through which he can reveal a greater purpose for my life. Amidst all the crap that gets thrown our way in this world, there is hope that this world is not my home. In Heaven, I will have a full time job with the ultimate salary! I will be in the presence of our Lord and Savior, praising His name for all eternity.

That's a pretty good ending to a pretty awful day if you ask me.

p.s. We did get to go to Half Price Books today.. This section certainly had my hubby in his element.. and yes, he bought it.

Tough

It's been a tough past few days.
Let me start over.

It's been a fun weekend.
I've been trying to generate more followers through better blog marketing. In my first undertaking, I was featured over on Black Little Button! The result = at least 8 new followers! Plus I was able to find a few more for myself!

On Friday, I was asked to an on-campus interview for a marketing and promotions position to take place in a few weeks! They're even putting me in a hotel! << Super excited!

Saturday was what we will term "ManDay." We (the hubs & myself as well as the bro & sis in law and niecelets) traveled to her parents land where Aaron gets to build a greenhouse, a chicken coop, dig trenches, or whatever other man-project is pending at the time. He always has a lot of fun.
This also means we get to hunt and/or shoot guns. By "we" I mean mostly he and his brother (though I'm a pretty decent shot if I do say so myself).

Well my brother-in-law bought some exploding targets and this was what ensued:

It was a blast!
[haha ... get it?]

Later we watched The Help. If you haven't seen it, you should. I'm sure the book is fabulous, too. It's not for people who want to see stuff blow up and aren't interested in things like compelling story lines or good acting.

And that brings us to this morning. Sunday.
We went to church again today... FINALLY! I still haven't decided if this particular church is where we need to be right now. It's hard to make a commitment right now because for all we know, if we get jobs soon we could be moving anywhere, really.

Anyway, in search of fellowship and in an effort to make a few friends, we went to a study group for young married couples. It's fantastic that this church even has a group focused on our demographic considering most do not.

This brings me to my present state.
I really miss our friends. And I really miss our church.
I feel like we prayed for so long for a group of people we really connected with and just when things started getting really great, life happened and we moved.

I get the feeling this has happened to me before.
My best friend in high school and I didn't start connecting until my senior year. Then I shipped out of town for college.
In college, I was too preoccupied with a boyfriend to make friends. When I finally did, the sorority through which I met them went crazy and I had to get out.
Later, I met some really awesome, Godly couples through a student ministry. Aaron and I married and then we moved to a new city.

And now it's happened again.
I still really feel like I don't know where God wants us.
I keep thinking that He will reveal His plan through a job offer somewhere.
But this hasn't happened, yet.

I know I need to just have faith and trust that He knows what He's doing.
Life is tough right now.
Thats about it.

HOUZZ

Thanks to Pinterest...

pinterest.com/claritasuave

I've recently discovered a fabulous home design website!

 HOUZZ 

I would almost call this a Pinterest for your house. 

You can browse through a wealth of designer photos showcasing fantastic kitchens, bedrooms, living rooms... I'm kind of addicted now. 

You want to do something totally dangerous and time-wasting? 

Look up kids rooms and playrooms!

Photo Credit

What's that?

A stage in the playroom? 

Be still my thespian heart!

. . .

This totally makes me excited about moving into our own place again. 

It's not that I don't love living with my nieces. I actually really enjoy it! 

Little does anyone know that this whole, unemployed-living-with-family thing is really a clever ploy to become the favorite aunt! 

[insert evil laugh]

But seriously, it's nice that the house is big enough for us to have our own space. It's still hard to escape the feeling that there's always people around. 

It makes it hard to be a newlywed if you catch my drift ;) 

One day, hopefully soon, we will be able to rent our own little home and I can go crazy with my ideas!

Till then, keep praying for us please!

I know God has the perfect job for both of us in the perfect town. 

Swap Meet: Black Little Button

Time for a Swap Meet!

Let me introduce you to this sweet girl named Whit who blogs over at Black Little Button!

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Hi. First timer here. Please be gentle. :)




Nah, I'm just kidding! It's so great to be able to do my first blog post with Claire. Yes, I'm a newbie, so I won't make this too awkward. Promise.




So I started my blog last year to share all the ideas I had floating around in my head for my wedding. Turns out I must have been too busy "planning" to be able to share anything at all.

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But it all worked out because just a couple months ago I finally got into my blog, and to be honest, it's been freaken-fantastic!  YOU GUYS/GALS ARE THE BEST! I've had a chance to "meet" so many new people that all share the same interests, even if you are a couple states/countries away. :)




My husband and I currently live in our first apartment together, and I have the hugest urges every week to be some sort of "Susie-homemaker". I love to bake and I've shared a ton of recipes so far on my blog. Go check them out! I also try my hand at lot of crafts/sewing (I thank Pinterest for addicting inspiration every day).

My husband is a 2nd lieutenant in the United States Army, and I couldn't be more proud of him each and every day. He is the backbone that supports our little "family" of two.

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I pretty much just blog about whatever life throws at us, and this first year of marriage is definitely a learning/adapting experience. I'd love for you to come check out, creep even, my blog. Getting to know more fellow bloggers is the best!