Ain't that tweet?

I was not a twitter fan. I can barely stand facebook. I don't see the need to post one's entire life onto a public domain for the world to see. I do have a facebook, it is a necessary evil these days. I guess the thing that bothers me the most is that people think it can take the place of face to face communication. If i want to talk to someone, I will call them for dinner or coffee or just to hang out. My feelings towards can be summed up by the link below.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PVA047JAQsk

Given my experience with facebook, I assumed twitter be worst. I viewed twitter as facebook, except with the good parts taken out. Facebook with just the status updates? Sounds terrible.

After two weeks of twittering, my worst fears were confirmed. I learned nothing useful in my two weeks. All i recieved was mostly useless banter. I'll list the three worst experiencs.

First off, within an hour of joining, I had five people following me, none of whom I knew. To make it worse, four of these five were people attempting to convince me to join....uh....adult....websites. This trend of random strangers and groups deciding to follow me continued throughout the two weeks. I do not want these vultures following me, I do not want to be associated with these groups. The fact that every time i logged on there was some new annoyance to block was just disgraceful.

Secondly, the information shared by those I chose to follow was usually pointless. I don't care that it is raining outside. Or you are having a good day :). I don't follow status updates on facebook, so a program that only contains status updates is not for me. I will admit that there were some interesting articles posted by my classmates. Also, following the New York Times supplied me with some extra current events. I was dissapointed by some of the groups that I followed such as The Economist, their posts were limited.

Finally, the various functions of twitter are confusing! I would often end up posting my status twice because I would mess up on the tag at the end. Direct messages also gave me trouble. I'm pretty sure I accidentally messaged some very confused strangers because of my inability to master the various functions of twitter. However, I will admit that if I spent some more time on twitter I would have gotten used to it.

So call me a luddite, call me old fashioned. But after this two week trial, twitter and I will be ending our relationship.

What Writing Means to Me

My mind tends to work in definitions. When I take notes, I basically write down a vocabulary list. I make things into definitions that most people would never think to. So I guess I'll start with the literal definition of writing. Dictionary.com defines writing as "the act of illustrating characters to express thought." I guess that is a pretty solid summary. Whenever I write, I am trying to translate thought into ink. A task that is not usually not easy. I am much better at expressing myself with the spoken word rather than written word. You would think that written would be easier because you have time to plan it out. Maybe that's why it's harder. Because you have time to prepare, people expect more. Or I expect more.

When I was younger, I always viewed myself as a creative writer. I used to write short stories, I dabbled in poetry, I even attempted writing a screenplay. None of them were very good in terms of writing quality, but I did it anyway. My only strength was in my characters, I would create heroic, villainous, ordinary, extraordinary people but then make them have adventures fraught with mediocre writing. Now, I find myself in the communications field. Not in something creative like advertising. But something fact based. Basically, I abandoned my strength to pursue a career in my weakness. The way I see it though, one must be strong in both areas to succeed in either creative or factual writing. Hopefully I find a way to channel creativity into this fact based career.

About Me

What’s your full name? Ryan David Jackson Were you named after anyone? The biblical King David Do you have a nickname? If yes, what is it? Snowball (long story) What’s your astrological sign? Aries Are you a morning person or a night owl? Definite night owl Do you wish on stars? When I really need something Do you untie your shoes when you take them off? No Do you have tattoos ? No but by then end of this semester I will What do you do most often when you are bored? Mario Kart 64 Donkey or Elephant or Neither? Donkey What makes you angry? Hypocrites What did you do last night? I was on duty What frightens you? Being alone How many keys are on your key ring? Seven What do you do to relax? Bike to the burbs Do you believe in superstitions? No but I adhere to them just in case Have you attended a church or religious event outside of your own? Yes several Name a foreign language that you know. Latin Name three things most people don’t know about you. I'm a closet Taylor Swift fan I have been to Italy I like sauerkraut and chicken pizza Family, Pets, & Friends

Do you have any siblings? Yes, a younger sister and brother Who is your best friend in high school? Will "Dr Bill" Newby Do/did you have any pets? Hamsters Cat person or dog person? Both, can't we all get along? Who is the last person you talked to on the phone? Christine Travel

What states have you been to?

32 of em What countries have you been to? USA, Canada, Mexico, Puerto Rico, Jamaica, Costa Rica, Germany, Italy, Greece In how many states have you lived? Three, Wisconsin, Washington, and Minnesota When is the last time did you take a train? Over the summer to Chicago Food

What do you like to eat for breakfast? Who has time for breakfast? What is your favorite food? Fried Chicken What foods do you dislike? Lima beans What ethnic food do you like and dislike? Love japanese, not too big on mexican What is your favorite chip flavor? Original (I know, I'm lame) What is your favorite sandwich? The wreck sandwich from potbellies What is your favorite drink? Coca-Cola What is your favorite ice cream flavor? Ben and Jerry's Phish Food What’s your favorite salad dressing? This strawberry dressing my grandma makes but won't give me the recipe to Plain, buttered or salted popcorn? Plain What’s your favorite pie? Pumpkin with cool whip What’s your favorite fast food place? Kopp's Media Which Harry Potter characters are you? Hagrid What was the last film you saw at the cinema? Inglorious Basterds (GREAT film) What is your favorite TV show? Castle Last book you read. I'm reading Guyland What picture is on your computer wallpaper? New York Skyline What is your ring tone? Vibrate only What are three favorite songs on your iPod? How I Go by Yellowcard, But Tonight We Dance by Rise Against, Hero by Skillet Do you have a Facebook page? Who doesn't? Do you have a Twitter account? Yes, MUryanjackson Do you have a blog? I'm pretty sure you are reading my blog right now... Wishes

Where would you retire to? Anywhere with family If you could go anywhere in the world on vacation, where would you go? Scotland Would you ever bungee jump? Skydive? Yes but it might take some convincing If you were a crayon, what color would you be? Platinum