Let Me Apologize In Advance

So, there are a few things I need to get out of my system. Some of you may take offense, honestly I don't give a shit. Some of you may recognize yourselves, what can I say. Hopefully we can all move on once I've said what I feel like saying.

Oh yes, she's in a mood.

Social Media. I know I've vented about Facebook on Facebook. But that was then, and while some issues that were relevant back then have disappeared (read: unfriended), there are still a few things I cannot understand why people do on social media.

First, On Twitter, I don't care how many new followers you have or how many people stopped following you. When the app you have that tells you who's coming and who's going asks you if you want to tweet that vital information... just hit NO. It serves no purpose to me other than add volume to my timeline. And honestly, it kinda pisses me off.

On Facebook, parents, I truly do not give a shit whether your child has indeed taken one today or four. Chances are I don't even know your kids, and I really don't need to know if they are having a shit-a-thon, or a puke-a-thon. You all do realize that nothing is ever really gone from the internet, don't you? Do you really want your child having their bowel movements going viral when some kid in their class finds it a few years from now? Or you people fresh out of surgery. Do we really need to see the scars from that hip replacement so fresh and oozing? Just stop.

And photos. You guys post way too many pictures of your kids. Not because I don't want to see them, but because I can see ones I shouldn't be able to. And that means every perv out there can too. If I choose, I can see photos of friends of friends of friends. That's way too far down the line to be safe.

And then there are all the posts about where you are, when you will be there, and who will be with you, and who won't. Way, way too much information. People can learn your house is empty, your kids are at a sleepover, your husband is away. Seriously, time to be smarter than that. Post in generalities, tell the story after you are back, not every detail before you leave. When I post about road trips, I try not to say who's going or who's left behind... until after it's over.

Let's not forget the share this post crap. Share if you have a loved one with cancer... are you kidding? Who doesn't? How the hell does sharing a photo of a sappy saying, help anyone with cancer. It doesn't, so why not save that energy and send a message of encouragement over to the person you know who has cancer. Maybe if we all posted just a little less crap asking people to share, we would get more of the posts that FB deems unimportant and blocks from our timelines.

Well, I feel a little better, sorry if you don't. For me, social media is a necessary evil, but make no mistake about it, there is a lot of evil out there. Not every part of your life needs to be documented online for eternity. Take a breath and think before you hit post.

As a wise woman always tells me, "Less is Best."
Indeed.

The New York City Marathon: Facts Over Fiction

As Mayor Bloomberg continues to pout over the cancellation of the New York City Marathon, there seems to be a revisionist history of sorts concerning the actual reasons why it was called off.

In a letter addressed to all 47,000 entrants into the race, the New York Road Runners Club, headed by their president and CEO Mary Wittenberg, stated her position as to the cancellation.

"It became increasingly apparent that the people of our area were still struggling to recover"

That much is true.

"That struggle, fueled by the resulting extensive and growing media coverage antagonistic to the marathon and its participants, created conditions that raised concerns for the safety of both those working to produce the event and its participants."

Well, liar,liar pants on fire...and all that.

Basically she is saying it was all the media's fault, and if they ran the race, the residents of NYC would attack the runners and race officials right there out in the street. Give me a damn break.

As someone who watched with fascination, as the growing rumble on Twitter became a roar...it wasn't the media that shut down the race. It was the people. The idea of busing 47K people to the starting point in Staten Island was the initial problem. A mile or so away from where they are still doing a house-to-house search for the missing, (never mind that there are areas where houses no longer exist) they planned to bring in all the supplies needed to kick off the race. Port-o-Sans, food, water, first aid stations, police, etc. Precisely all the things people on the other side of town desperately need...and still do not have.

Then there was the media tent in Central Park. Powered by generators large enough to each fire up over 100 homes, there they sat, ready to keep the media warm and charged. Although I personally would have loved to have seen the overhead shot as the TV helicopter panned from the celebration at the starting point to the utter devastation which would have been in camera view, it was idiocy to think running the race was anything other than a bad idea.

As for the safety of the runners and the crews...absurd. New Yorkers have a whole lot more on their minds. The idea of residents seeking vengeance is not only absurd, but insulting to all who live there. Mary Wittenberg should know better and be ashamed of herself.

In the end, it was cancelled because it should not have been run. Period. Thankfully, the transparent motive of lots of cash, was finally trumped by human decency.

Because when you listen to what the people are saying, that's what you get.

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Going To Hell Along With The Rest Of You

"tonight the sweet devil, the sweet devil's got my soul."

Indeed, he has.
The temptation began a few months ago. Seriously got back into writing, and as I have been told by most everyone I know...I have a big mouth...so I began to tweet. And almost 1400 tweets later, I have been sucked in by the other social networking vacuum... Facebook.

You cannot imagine the total disdain I have for it, yet the apparently weak woman that I am, now has a FB page. Why you ask? The devil made me do it.

Everyone I know has one, did I want to keep up with them...no. But there are certain things that have become a giant pain in the ass if you don't have one. Like seeing friends photos, or when you also have a music blog...following news on musical groups you are interested in, or are researching. So, I made the pact with the Prince of Darkness..and we're not talkin' Ozzie.

I am now everywhere...for all the world to see. It's funny, because what I do love about tweeting is that it is kind of anonymous. Sure you have a name, but unless you are famous, does anyone really pay attention to who you are? No, because it doesn't matter who you are... just what you say. But facebook is all about who you are. Who you like, what you do and when you do it. Trust me, it ain't that interesting.

Now I am new to this FB crap, so the page is a definite work in progress. Don't be expecting to see family vacation pictures there, it's mainly a vehicle for the Kat's Theory brand. Though knowing how I can be tempted so easily, at some point there may be revelations not usually expected. But will anyone really care? God I hope not.

So today, if you have nothing better to do..check out the Kat's Theory page. And like it (what the hell does that even mean?) if you want. You know my attitude.

I personally don't give a...

Have a nice day.

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The Trip To Danville: Almost Showtime

For the first two parts of the story of the road trip to Danville, check out:
On The Road Again: The Trip To Danville along with
And So It Began...The Trip To Danville

Timeline Saturday March 17, around 2 pm. Danville PA

Checked into the hotel, looking like we were staying for a week instead of overnight. Two cooler bags filled with supplies, a bag with wine glasses (plastic cups..I don't think so. We bring champagne and crystal glasses when we tailgate at Springsteen concerts at the Meadowlands), and a small electric espresso maker (doesn't everyone?). Add some clothes and toiletries...well jersey girls don't travel light; we travel prepared.

After having a quick beer, out the door to check out the venue and grab some lunch. At the club, ran into Bob Richardson from the band Hybrid Ice, whom I had interviewed last month. Spent some time talking with him about what to expect for the show later that night. Those details only made us anticipate the evening even more.

Running a little later than we were expecting, we decided to grab a bite at one of the chains near the hotel. Please tell me how you have a new bartender working alone on a St. Patty's Day? The servers were lined up like rush hour traffic going into the Lincoln Tunnel.

Back to the hotel, relax a bit and get ready for the show. Finally get to meet the first of my two tweetville friends, this one drove in from Ohio...did I say crazy lady? Yes, indeed...but a girl after my own heart. If there's good music, don't stand in our way.

So, you always know when you stick out like a sore thumb. Walking up to the venue, we kinda got the "they're not from around here" look from the crowd waiting for the doors to open. Yes, north jersey ain't exactly nearby. It's really just the attitude...actually we are pretty harmless...unless provoked. At that point, we found our other friend from Twitterland and walked in (with a little help from the band) to claim our spots for the night.

With plenty of time before the show, it was fun to actually talk with the people I have been tweeting with for months. Nothing earthshaking, I think we pretty much knew what to expect from each other. Amazing what you can learn about each other in 140 characters. Also, with two of us writing blogs, there's not much in our lives that isn't addressed in public.

The people of Danville could not have been nicer; enjoyed talking to them and enjoyed the $2 price tag on the beers. You ain't getting that in jersey.


Lights go down...
The Music in Danville: First Up, Hybrid Ice followed by The Music in Danville: Jimi Jamison Rocks Hard

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Moving Into Tweetville

So, if you've been reading my blogs you might remember that I've just started tweeting.  Now I get it. It can be very addictive, especially to someone who works from home and sits in front of a computer screen all day.  Following people you didn't know before and making new friends along the way. And people who actually know me can tell you, I am not the most people person.

So far, a shared interest in music and sports are what's making my life in tweetville entertaining. Finding people with shared life experiences who live in other states and countries is really a kick. Right now there's a few of us looking forward to the summer concert circuit...who, what and where.   I think it's gonna be great!  Being in touch with the bands and waiting on every detail of the music and tour dates. And while I won't be able to make all the shows I'd like to, I'm sure one of my twitter friends will give me a full blow-by-blow playback of what I missed. Not quite like being there, but a good enough fix, to be sure.

And just now I've realized the baseball season will have a new rivalry.  Who says girls can't talk trash? As a woman who lives and breathes derek-jeter-in-a-baseball-uniform, I can't wait for the boys to get back on the field.

All this and it's only been two weeks.  Looking forward to what other directions this tweet thing sends me.
All in 140 characters. Amazing.

IPhone...I Fun

Got an IPhone yesterday.  Never in my life have I delighted so much in a piece of technology.  Finally there is something useful AND fun.

Back in December, I got an email from my friend, the drum-mamma.  In the fall she sent away for tickets to the Anderson Cooper daytime talk show, forgot about it, then received an email from the show with tickets for a specific date.  Wanna go?  A day in the city with a veteran partner-in-crime...hell yeah.

As it turned out, the taping was for the Christmas show and there were gifts. Yay.  After sitting through a feel-good show, kind of boring...and an audience bell-ringing exercise (sorry I don't do class participation...blame it on the attitude thing) they brought out the gifts.  Quite nice, from candy and cupcakes to coffee makers...the damn bell,  and the piece de resistance...a Blackberry Bold.  Very nice, but only for AT&T.  With Verizon the only carrier that makes it out to the boonies (AKA the weekend house), had to sell it and buy my new phone of choice.

Coming home from the store yesterday with the new phone, I was mildly excited.  After playing with it, setting up all my email accounts and the twitter thing...well, it's not better than sex...but definitely better than white bread.  And, I haven't even started downloading apps yet.

Now, on a daily basis I don't lead the most exciting life...although it does have its moments.  But I do try to find enjoyment wherever I can.  Right now, it's a little piece of metal and plastic...it even has some bitch named Siri inside that seems to know everything.

I've officially joined the cult. Lead me to the App store.

To Tweet Or Not To Tweet

There's a part of me that totally detests social networking, there's another part of me that is fascinated by it.  I was dragged kicking & screaming into the blogosphere by the need for someone to write a couple of company blogs.  Somehow writing a lot of technical stuff on a regular basis caused my creative side to scream out "write something fun."   So it started...slowly at first, but more steadily as the mind became more disciplined.

I have now reached the edge of Twitter.  Those who know me personally can attest to my having a voice, although more often it's described as a big mouth.  Whatever, there are so many times I need to vent and 140 characters seems about right.  And, while spewing random thoughts is a constitutional right, there is also the business side of tweeting that is apparently, necessary.  Getting something published online is one thing...getting it out to the masses is another.

As I research how to be a good twit? No, that can't be right...twitterer, tweeter...who the hell knows, I am well aware that jumping into the twitter pool is inevitable.  Get ready for the splash.