Archive for the 'Rants and Raves' Category

Facebook gets “Twitterized”

Published on Sunday March 15, 2009 in Rants and Raves, Software, Technology and Thoughts. 1 Comment Tags: , , , , .

So late last week, Facebook released yet another design change to its ever-popular website. As with every change to date, the users unleashed a slew of backlash towards the latest update. Most peoples’ displeasure came in the form of angry status updates (“I hate FB…WTF!!!!” etc.) and the always effective petition groups (How to get the old Facebook Back). Personally, I welcomed most of the changes as improvements; it puzzled me why people opposed everything Facebook did to the site.

Continue reading ‘Facebook gets “Twitterized”’

Smartphone Lust

Published on Saturday March 14, 2009 in Hardware, Rants and Raves, Software, Technology, Thoughts and Trendspotting. 1 Comment Tags: , , , , , , , , , .

In the recent wake of smartphone-related news, I’ve never been more unhappy to be locked in to a Verizon contract for another six months. For me, the iPhone is a no-brainer, the sleek Apple design and the versatility it gains from the App Store really leaves much to be desired of my current Samsung SCH-U740.

The iPhone isn’t the only contender to be my most desired smartphone. While the Google G1 and the Android platform looked promising, it’s first iteration didn’t really live up to it’s full potential or hype in my opinion. The second generation Android phone doesn’t change much. With my general dislike of BlackBerry or Windows Mobile based devices, I was thrilled with what the Palm Pre has to offer. Reading about it really doesn’t do it justice; you need to watch the demo of the new WebOS to really get a sense of why it’s so cool and how Palm has positioned itself to be the most legitimate iPhone competitor. Continue reading ‘Smartphone Lust’

Pro sports rejects find hope in USARPSL

Published on Saturday June 21, 2008 in Rants and Raves and Thoughts. 2 Comments Tags: , , .

While surfing the interweb the other day, I stumbled across a little something that epitomizes our country’s incredible capacity to create new markets for the public to indulge their inner consumer whore. Uncrate featured a trip to Vegas’ Mandalay Bay Casino and Resort for the USA Rock Paper Scissors Championship:

Looking for an excuse to get away this weekend? Then book your tickets for Vegas and head over to the Mandalay Bay Hotel & Casino for the 2008 USA Rock Paper Scissors League Championship. Sponsored by Bud Light, the event will run all weekend, with the champ being crowned on Sunday, June 22. The champ will receive a $50,000 prize and a ticket to compete in Beijing, China during the Summer Olympics. Not in the Olympics, mind you, but instead in the inaugural International Rock Paper Scissors Federation Championship, where they will compete against the champions from Canada, Guam, Hong Kong, Ireland and Malaysia to see who is the world’s best Rock Paper Scissors player. 1, 2, 3… go!

Is it even possible to be “good” at rock, paper, scissors? If it is, someone please enlighten me because as far as I’m concerned, I’m not convinced this is something that requires a league, $50,000 prizes, and trips to Beijing. It’s incredible that such endeavors are able to be profitable; but I suppose we’re in the one country that would do it. Knowing people buy into stuff like this makes my own consumer whorish tendencies pale in comparison.

No More Teachers, No More Books…

Published on Sunday May 18, 2008 in Rants and Raves, School and Thoughts. 0 Comments Tags: , .

Unfortunately for me, dirty looks from teachers is my major. I made I made it though a tough year characterized by many many oopsidesnts I attribute to a severe case of fresmanitis. While track wasn’t the greatest either, it showed signs of promise. I tried telling myself that after first semester, but I’m still waiting for it to happen. Anyways to put things in perspective (for myself at least) The average student at Northwestern University as more tests in one day than I do all year at Cornell. Throw in the fact that NU has a whole extra month (or two) of school compared to well, just about everyone. That’s a lot of tests; you do the math.

A few things to note before I go:

  • Moving out is infinitely more painful than moving in
  • Especially when your parents don’t come to pick you up
  • Especially when you pack like a girl who overpacks
  • Especially when you’re only allowed one checked bag on an airplane and have to take the train with 5

That is all. Congrats to the DCDS track team on their Regionals win. Now back to being bored.

“Am I cool yet?”

Published on Sunday March 4, 2007 in Rants and Raves and Thoughts. 8 Comments

Disclaimer: This post will probably upset some people, however I feel it covers an important topic that deserves to be addressed now more than ever. If you have anything to say, please feel free to leave a comment. Continue reading ‘“Am I cool yet?”’

The End of the Beginning (Pt. I)

Published on Thursday January 18, 2007 in Rants and Raves and Thoughts. 2 Comments

It’s the 18th already :?: :!: It looks like I’m a bit late but after a long hiatus, I feel obliged to reflect upon this past year, and the year ahead. I’ll do my best to not sound cliché (no guarantees though).

I suppose a logical place to start would be at the same time last year. I was doing roughly the same thing I’m doing now: neglecting/enjoying the fact that I only have one exam left. Being a second semester junior doesn’t have quite the same ring as second semester senior does it? Come to think of it, “second semester senor” doesn’t really carry the same effect on me as it appears to have over every other member of the class of 2007. Why? Probably because I made it a habit to neglect school early on. I never really applied myself, even during elementary school when math consisted nothing more than questions like of 2×8=? I have no recollection whatsoever of my academic performance prior to middle school. Despite my parents’ stern lectures, the message wasn’t getting home. I attribute this to starting out my school career with less than stellar marks, at which point I decided that I couldn’t ever be “smart”. By the time I came to this realization, my chance to do anything had long passed me by. “Junior year is the most important year of high school” friends, teachers and parents always warned but with half if it gone already, I was stuck with the fruits of my own mediocrity. Continue reading ‘The End of the Beginning (Pt. I)’

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