The Culture of Social Media

I’ll admit, I’m one of those people who posts often on social media. 

I blame it on being a highly loquacious only child. I have many thoughts but no siblings to share them with. My husband works 60 hours a week and although my parents have been a good outlet, they are currently in the middle of a 4 mouth adventure in Yellowstone where they have less cell phone signal than a 1980s drug dealer in South Central Los Angeles.

If you need a little more background, my mother was an English and theater teacher and my dad Is an author and journalist. I honestly didn’t stand a chance when it came to writing. As early as 4^th grade I had to write persuasive essay’s to Santa for my Christmas presents.  (True Story)

It wasn’t until college graduation that social media made its appearance. Although it would have been entertaining at the time in my life, if it had made its appearance by then I might not be staring at a BS on my wall.

I love social media. I love being able to share what is going on in my life and see what is going on with others. Some people share too much. Others, I wish shared more. But that is also the great thing about it. You control what is out there. (With the exception of an occasional unwanted tagging)

Even as a frequent poster I believe many people abuse the privilege. I like to make people either think or smile. I veer off course from time to time but I stay mainly between the lines.

All this being said, I have figured out a few ways to know you are abusing Facebook.

1) Each day you share more e-card posts than you have friends.

2) None of your friends subscribe to George Takei or Grumpy Cat. It’s just not necessary for them to, because of you.

3) Everyone knows who you voted for in the last election, who you will vote for in the next election , what you had for breakfast every morning the past  49 months, where you found your cell phone this morning, how much gas is left in your tank, what color jellies you had as a kid and the lock pattern on your phone.

Like I said, social media is great and I use it often. 

However, as with all things,  Vio con Dios, use with Caution, and don’t run with scissors!

What MY Aggie Ring Means To Me.

This fall it will be ten years ago that I received my most prized possession. My Aggie Ring. I was counting down to the day before I sent in the check, before I even applied to A&M, before I got my drivers license, and quite possibly before I even took the training wheels off my pink Huffy.

Looking back over these almost 32 years I can’t remember a thing that ever mattered more to me.  When I moved to College Station at 18 years of age it wasn’t always easy to focus. After I learned that the phrase “D for Diploma” wasn’t an accurate representation of what the business school wanted,  I buckled down and began to keep my eyes on the prize. Over my college years I began to understand more and more what that gold ring was about.  

It was about E. King Gill and the 12^th Man. About me standing at every game for the 5 football seasons I was an undergrad ready to take the field if my team needed me.

It was about November 18^th, 1999. About The University of Texas. Who although we have always had and always will have our differences, they are our brothers and sisters who took a moment to share our loss.

It was about Silver Taps, Muster, and saying “Here” For you fallen comrade.

It was about saying, “Howdy!” to a stranger on campus. Helping a fan of an opponent on a Saturday in the fall. Offering directions and ending with a “Welcome to Aggieland!” It was about the Keepers of the Spirit, and the Fightin’ Texas Aggie Band.  

As a graduate it’s about the Aggie Network. Recognizing a fellow Ag at a bar in Dallas, an airport terminal in New York, or a subway in Paris, France.

It’s about lending a hand and helping your fellow man, preparing for the future, learning from mistakes in the past and holding dear traditions of those that came from before, and most of all being part of a family.

The Aggie Spirit has always moved me.

May God continue to bless America. And may God continue to bless Texas A&M. 

Heads Carolina, Tails California

"Friend!!!! What city are you in?"

That was the official beginning to a phone call between my friend Katie and I during and shortly after college.

Keep in mind, there were no Facebook check-in's to stalk. That simply didn't exist. It was a lot more fun to take off when the mood struck without anyone knowing where you were going. (expect I usually called my parents shortly after one of my departures just so someone could worry about me.)

Sometimes, like my trip to Florida, it was a solo adventure. Other times I had partners in crime like my roommate, Jacque (if she didn't have to go to class or do her homework) or my trusty neighbor, Tintin, who I could usually count on to hop on the road in a moment's notice.

One Thursday night about 10:30, we decided it was a good weekend to go to Colorado Springs. We rushed home from the bar, packed our bags and jumped in the car. Sadly, our energy wore off before we were even to Waco. We turned around and headed back home. I do believe that was our only unsuccessful trip. More successful trips to Colorado followed, a New Years Eve in Nashville, countless trips around Texas and New Orleans. And then Spring Break in Paris. Gas and travel was less expensive and time more plentiful.

I smile when I think about these adventures. Something that fundamentally makes my soul smile. Part of it is the actual travel, but a larger part I've been convinced, is the freedom and ability to ride off into the sunset anytime the moment strikes me. I miss that.

Last week I wasn't able to fly to Paris, or even leave the state, but I did get the ability to remember a huge part of my life that had been missing. I woke up one day and decided to go to Waco to see some friends and do some dancing, and just did it. I went to Austin, alone, another day. Another couple days I just went wherever the wind blew me (in a very short radius) No, it wasn't as it was before, most likely will never be, but it was freedom. And from that point on I decided incorporating more of this is my life will keep my soul happy.

With myself and my old running buddies now having responsibilities like jobs and children life gets more complicated. That doesn't mean we can't all create opportunities to do what brings us joy.

Whadda say, Tintin, "Heads Carolina, Tails California?"