So Gone

I sit in a hotel room with my friend as we pre game for a night of debauchery at a Kendrick Lamar concert. -As I listen to his CD while writing this... Spin Music Magazine gave Good Kid, M.A.A.d City  >>>Top Hip-Hop album of the year 2012. 

I could upload the night to my Facebook and show the 500 or so people I have "friended" on the network. But I decided it was time to cut the cord. 

The next morning, after I signed an oath that pledged my commitment to my New Year resolution (more like a bet- makes it more interesting), I deleted my Facebook.

This was a choice to represent a new way of gaining another slice of personal freedom, a way to free myself of some self-created dependency. 

Since then almost a month has past since I have been "deactivated" and I love it. I feel so much more focused on the tasks in front of me. It really feels like giving up an addiction. I spend more time on homework, cleaning, working out and enjoying the conversations with my family and friends. Of course in those conversations the statement has come up, you deleted your Facebook?

Some say its cultural suicide to get rid of your online social networks. A couple guys I served at work one night both shared that it is a great way to keep in touch with friend and a great channel when meeting new people. They say this as I interrupt them from their relationship with their phones. I seen this multiple times as a server, friends at a public place living in their private worlds as they constantly check their Facebook and Instagram for updates. To be honest, I hate when people are on their phones when I am trying to hang out with them. 

"BITCH DON'T KILL MY VIBE" - KENDRICK LAMAR

 Videos and Pictures from K.L. concert 12.31.12...Coming Soon

The End or Just the Beginning

The day the World was going to end for the second time in my life. The first time was the eve of January 1, 2000. 

I can still remember that night I was nine years old at my friends house cupping a brown paper bag over my mouth while my eyes glued to the TV guide channel. Why that channel? It was the only channel with an "accurate" countdown clock. Her parents probably were like, look at these little freaks!

Predictions lead me to imagine the TV and computer in front of me were going to simultaneously combust at the crack of 12 am. I realize that I would have gone on with life untouched by the effect for at least another five years.
The thought of that same digital explosion NOW would have a greater affect on me, for sure. Myspace, Facebook, Instagram, and countless other online social media I participate in all gone in an instant.  Not including the dependency that the countless institutions I am associated with depend on the Internet (Grammar check: made me capitalize Internet, I guess that means it a special person, place or thing).

A connection to the web has become a necessity for the lifestyle and career I seek to acquire as well as for the majority of Americans. 

I will not lie to you, I was afraid a little when I heard that 12/21/12 was going to intercept and crush my goals. Some non-being could ruin these expectations and standards I have set for myself. The big screen we look up to for directions was about to turn off.

Photo from Tumblr

Then my good friend Johnny stopped me and shared that this dreaded date was for the good actually it was a date of enlightenment. Interesting, I found his perspective. One that emphasized reducing your dependency on this technology we so look to fulfill some social need inside of us all.

Photo from Tumblr

What path would I end up taking? The digital highway or the path less traveled?