I forgot to get a pic, since it was so rushed, but met with Karen in North Carolina. It's odd, Xanga is all but dead, and yet, I'm still meeting Xangans from here and there for the first time, crossing off my list of online friends.

I'm kind of wondering if I'm too old for web 2.0 now, though? I mean, at 34, it just doesn't fit as well anymore. Maybe it's time to let it go. Maybe I should have let it go at 30. Does one get too old for anything but Facebook and maybe Twitter? I kind of think one may. Hmm.

I'm going to Bay Area this July. Looking forward to it. Should be a good chance to see some friends again.

What are you thinking nowadays, friends?

Do you ever get overtly in love with your own blog or other social networking account? It's so embarrassing. "Look at all these cool things I say/write/photograph! I'm awesome!" gah.

I was invited to a local Greek family's home for Easter, so I stayed in New York. It was lovely. They invited some music and engineering students, and they had their relatives over as well. We enjoyed the dyed eggs, lamb, and plenty of original Greek delights. Greek music played in the background. After dinner, the music student played on the piano and the grandfather sang, it was a lovely combination.

Yet, when it was all over, I realized how badly I missed it all. I'm not as close to as many Greek people, being in NY now. I eat at a local Greek restaurant once a week, but I'm not as connected to the larger Greek community. And I miss that. It's funny how you can lose something and not realize how much you miss it until you reconnect with it. What or who have you lost that you realize you miss?

I am so excited for my friend Abby today because she's had a major, major breakthrough with some severe problems. I think she's too shy for me to link to her page, but Abby, I'm so excited! and I'm so happy! awww. Also I owe everyone better updates SOON!

1) When the dinosaurs went extinct, which one do you think survived the longest and why?
2) When is it ok to walk away from a friendship?
3) What would it take for you to believe that god/a higher power exists?
4) You are told that if you willingly offer yourself to be shot, X number of people will have their lives spared. How many does X have to be before you will do it?
5) How much money would I have to pay you for you to not leave this city for a year?

Feel free to answer any and all of them. Going to DC for the weekend, byeee

Going to Cleveland, Cincinnati, DC, and NYC over the next month. If you live there, let me know photos to follow.

Unfortunately, there is a stigma that thinking too much about dating is a bad thing. However, what I more often see is people making the same mistakes over and over. For those dating, here's a fun challenge for you. Come up with 5 areas you can improve in to help you be more successful in having the ones you like like you back. Here's my 5, with minimal explanation:

1. Confidence

2. Humor

3. (Don't) Interview your date

4. (Don't) Volunteer unnecessary or possibly troubling information

5. Enthuse/Entertain

What's your 5?

Need someone to help with the group? the team? the club? the church thing? I'm here, Mr. Volunteer. Just give me a moment, and I'll come out to that evening meeting, I'll drive everyone to that weekend place, I'll do that one thing at that one place.

Yes, Mr. Volunteer here, ready to be a team player. My own wants and needs? Bah. I just have to help the group! The group will fulfill my needs. All hail the collective!

I was a perfect candidate for team-based brainwashing. Religious? Oldest Son? Immigrant Parents from a Collectivist Culture? Athlete? Labor Union Environment? I check all the boxes to become a mindless drone for your organization.

I feel that I'm finally realizing to what extent this reliance on team has worn me out, and been unhealthy. Being a part of things is good, but there comes a time to quit before being used. There comes a time to stand up for yourself, or to realize that certain teams have outlived their usefulness. We come into this world alone, and we die alone; inbetween, we help each other as best we can, but we are never solely belonging to another. I'm still trying to find the right amount of individualism, but I'm getting there.

A few good blogs lately, because I know it's hard to find people now:

LaytexDuckie went to Beijing and Hong Kong, great photos:

Ed has a great post on Saying No

Crystalinne with a "Did You Know" post

Vi with some great photos of winter

Hope you all are doing well.

I was laughing the other day because a story about a woman accused of drug possession had the most high-looking photo of her possible. At times, news agencies look through your public FB/other sources to find a photo that matches the perception of the crime. So if you were accused of a crime (theft, murder, quirky crime), what photo of yours best fits the crime? I thought it would be funny to post pics that match. For example, if I were ever arrested for creeper crimes, you know this one would be posted:

Yours?