Grieving Online

From the last post you'll see I went off on another direction, but the main thing I have been thinking about as a result of the campus killings in the US is the role these social networking sites play today.
Sites like Facebook, and Myspace among others (those are the only two to which I belong) are often viewed as a place for pedophiles to troll for little girls. I know there is a lot of that, and I know there are a lot of young girls talking about things they likely should not talk about on the internet where everyone can see, but there is a role for these sites. And the killings showed that first hand.
Every news story I read had clearly gone onto these sites to see moving tributes. One of the guys killed apparently had 1000 + friends on Facebook and while the whole situation was unfolding, people were posting thoughtful messages, and meeting on his site to talk about what was taking place.
Within a few hours, and even days, thousands of "groups" were formed for people to leave their thoughts. I think it helps people deal with this stuff. After all, if this is where everyone goes when they turn on their computer, why not meet there and "talk" it out?
From legitimate heart-wrenching notes, to ones that attacked all Asians, or all Koreans came up within hours of the shootings.
It really is a powerful tool, and one that people need to accept. These social networking sites aren't going away, so it's time people realize it's more than just a place to go look at really young people without many clothes on.

How strange

I have had all sorts of thoughts about the online world over the last couple of days. I wanted to write it all down in separate ideas, and I still may do that, but I have to give my sister a shot first. I went to her blog, and out of curiosity I tried to click the link on her page that would take me my own blog. Well it turns out that we have to go read about some dude named Luke whose blog is attached to both links. Oh well, I think he's a DJ or something, so he must be fun.
So fix it so people can read your fascinating blog, and if they get bored they can come over and see how life in St. Albert is. Although many of them (myself included) are likely more interested in eating fried caterpillars than looking at my terrible moustache.
Anyway, I have been thinking about Facebook, Myspace and the internet in general. I have a video camera on my cell phone so if I happened to be near a crazed gunman, or a big fire I could yank the phone out, and with a few clicks of a mouse I could have my video playing on the evening news.
All the major networks had as the Virginia Tech story was breaking, was this grainy footage from people who were filming with their cell phones. So that's what the CNN's and CBC's have to do to keep up with the internet. I may biased a little, but the fact of the matter is, radio is the only other medium that can deliver the goods immediately. And I am guessing most people ran straight to their computer. It is easier than running to your radio and trying to figure out how to switch it back to the AM function and find newstalk radio.
Frankly though, I don't need to feel like I am watching the Blair Witch Project when I am watching the news. None, I mean absolutely NONE of the cell phone video captured my attention or showed me anything particularily interesting.
Now, I must admit that I went straight to the 24 hour news staions like CNN and CBC Newsworld to find out. First I saw 2 killed, including gunman: AP Report - then I switched back and saw 31 dead etc. It was a time when the journalist in me woke up and I wanted to reach for a phone and dial until I had someone on the phone who could give me the deal.
There was one time in Saskatchewan when there was a dozen miners or so trapped in an Esterhazy, SK mine and it was a Sunday afternoon. I was one of the only ones working, and we were just getting the story in bits and pieces. One of the guys in the newsroom was from Esterhazy and he started calling, and I helped and we eventually got the Regina reporters on the way there and spent two days covering the story non-stop. It was fascinating stuff really.
Earlier this week was one of those exciting times to be working in the news biz. I know while I was at the gym running on the treadmilll watching the news, most of the Lulu Lemon wearing moms in the joint were tuned into those same news channels.

Facebook

I went on this site called Facebook after reading about it in Maclean's magazine. Someone invited me, I clicked a few buttons and all of a sudden dozens of emails started flooding into my email from all over the place. People from Sheridan during j-school, and people who've moved away and I haven't thought of in years. The name of my junior high school even popped up. Remarkable, but kind of creep at the same time.
I guess it's hard to get away and hide nowadays. I feel like an old man as I try to catch up with what the kids are doing these days. Ahhh, the things a person can do on here.
But the blog is my favourite by far. I might have to post the link to this blog on my facebook thing and see if anyone actually reads it. Then again, it would be better to read if it were more interesting.
And that means getting away from the computer. What a vicious circle. What am I ever going to do?

Still going strong!

Man, the gym is so so so much fun. I think about it all the time.... when can I go next? What am I going to do today? How long will I be able to last?
I love it. There was badminton nets up yesterday so I kicked Dev's ass there. Twice. And tonight I am going to aquasize.
The only reason I want to do that is so that I can go into the steam room and hot tub afterwards. I was honestly quite sore after we went last week too. I laugh because, as a man, I am certainly in the minority and most of the ladies are 20 years older than me. I am sure they are cheating by putting their feet on the ground. Yup!
I have been pretty good only missing one day at the gym since I got the pass, and I don't see any reason to stop going. I take a couple hours out of my day and go burn off some energy. Beats the hell out of sitting in the pub.
I am going to resume the job hunt, just thought I should write something on here. Mainly because I have a minute, not because I have anything much to say.
Later.

Tom's going to the gym!

hahaha, Yeah I know.....
But it's true. There is this crazy new leisure centre in St. Albert and I went to have a look yesterday and it is amazing! There is a huge pool (mainly for kids I think) and two hockey rinks, a huge gym, and we also get access to the other pools and arenas in town.
For $40/month, I know I could do something else, but I signed up, and think it's not all that bad. Those of you reading this elsewhere, where things aren't the same (Sarah) might think it's dumb, but this place is lots of fun.
I could go outside and walk or run, and I could likely lift weights somewhere else, but this is what I did, and only have one day under my belt, but it was sure fun. I am going to bring swim trunks today and go into the steam room. Ahhhh that will be nice because it is snowing today!!! I couldn't believe my eyes when I woke up.
So I started out with one month, and I will give it a go and see how it works.
The two people I know are likely to see this blog, will hopefully see a change come folk fest in August so I can drink extra beer and not worry about the belly. But that is a long ways away. We'll wait and see. Either way I will be drinking beer with you guys.