Thoughts on Social Media

For me personally, I have a lot of social media. I use Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok, and Pinterest. I stay off Twitter because I think that the new CEO is a little interesting, and I don’t use Facebook because I am under the age of thirty-five. However, I like other social media – to an extent. I think there are many positives to using them, such as staying in touch with friends and family, keeping up on current events, and using them as an outlet for creativity or simply unwinding from your day. The problems arise, however, when phone addiction starts becoming prevalent. Also, there can be issues with the spread of false information, cyberbullying, and overall too much time spent on these apps. So, like everything, there are pros and cons. Personally, I try to limit my interaction with these negatives by one, limiting my screen time; two, not trusting everything I see on TikTok, for example, and doing my own research, and three, blocking accounts and people who only spread negativity. I set a limit of only 30 minutes allowed on TikTok, Instagram, or Pinterest and 40 on Snapchat. I also try to only go on social media during specific times of the day as to not distract myself from staying in the present moment. Why do all this and not just delete the apps off of my phone? I actually really enjoy using Snapchat and Instagram to keep in contact with my friends – both current and old – and see what they are up to. Although social media is obviously not reality, it is nice to see a slice of what and how people I know are doing. For TikTok and Pinterest, I actually really look forward to relaxing on these apps to take away the stress of my busy school life. The information on these apps is not always the most positive, educational, or worthwhile, but I still enjoy unwinding by watching some videos or scrolling through my feed. This is why I set limits for myself because, before I did, I would find myself on these apps for hours a day, wasting my time and my brain power on things that aren’t even a real part of my life. But, when consumed in smaller doses, using social media, for me, comes with a bunch of positives that no adult can convince me to otherwise take out of my life.

Social Media: how to use it safely - NCSC.GOV.UK

PC: https://www.ncsc.gov.uk/images/social-icons.jpg

My crippling addiction

A little over a year ago, I was introduced to something that would come to change my life, probably for the worse. At first, I thought it was something innocent and fun, however, it turned sour and harmful very fast. You might be wondering now what this addiction could possibly be. Is it alcohol? Is it vaping? Is it hard drugs? No. It’s Stardew Valley. Now Stardew Valley is a simple 2D game that is a fun and chill game to play where you can farm, forge, mine, fish, befriend villagers, and other calm and relaxing activities, but Progen, how could this chill and relaxing game ruin your life? I HAVE NO IDEA WHY. for some god-forsaken reason, I can not stop playing that stupid game no matter how hard I try it’s physically impossible i am just addicted to the small dopamine I get for completing the quest or when doing another task in the game. I really need to stop because my grades are slipping because of that game along with my mental health. 

Missing Piece

Ever feel like you’ve lost something that you simply can’t ever replace or recover?

Not something really, someone. Losing someone that close that knew so much and wanted a better human being instead of a monster.

One who rather be feared and respected than loved. What kind of animal is this? This maniac never evolved fully. A heart and soul were left undeveloped from the vessel that wreaks havoc on all those who care. Pushing away, more interested in achieving his desired power than achieving relationships with those that wanted to be there.

Denial was never the answer for him. Hiding in the shadows, he tried to hide himself from everyone because he couldn’t stand causing the hurt anymore. The pain he forced upon himself and the world around him was unorthodox. Everything and everyone that he thought he loved was all a lie. He wasn’t capable of love or allowing people to love him. He wanted to learn, but didn’t know how. His power was declining.

Is there more than just raw power? Is there emotion in this cold life he lives? Is there any way to achieve happiness?

What an outrageous concept. He so greatly craves love. But he can’t feel it. He had it.

But she was always his missing piece. She never saw what he did. She was incredible to him and he loved her. But when the missing piece fell to the floor, she dragged his heart with her, never allowing love again.

As much as he wants to hate her, he can’t. He still loves his missing piece.

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One More Time

This is a pretty emotional blog for me to write being as I’m unsure on my future. This weekend may or may not be the last football game of my career. It’s been an amazing road since I first strapped on the pads. Before I get too sentimental, I would like to point out that there is still a strong chance that I will be eligible to play next year for OVS.

I have been thinking to myself a lot lately about what obstacles and challenges I was forced to face to get where I am today. I wasn’t always a great player. In fact, in my early days, I was down right AWFUL!

I remember my first year of competitive football. We only had one game that season and everyone got a chance to play. It wasn’t really competitive, but it was organized. That season was supposed to introduce the youth of Summit, New Jersey.

That’s exactly what it did. The Summit Hilltoppers had a long tradition of competing for championships annually. My second year of football was a reflection of that tradition. However, none of our success had anything to do with me. Enter Jamie White.

Jamie was a friend of mine. He was a monster of an athlete and he still is to this day. One particular play comes to mind about my youth football days with Jamie White. We were pinned down on our own 5 yard line. We needed 10 yards for the first down but we needed to get away from our end zone. Most teams wouldn’t call a halfback draw right up the middle. That play is usually a short yardage play.

Not for Jamie.

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TUMBLR!

I have had a Tumblr quite a while now. At first, it was a website that I would go on only if I had absolutely nothing else to do and I was just in bed, feeling lazy. Now, it has become a daily part of my life that I am getting more and more addicted to.

Tumblr is a social networking and blogging site. Like Facebook, each member has their own page where they post and share things. Following someone means that all of their posts will show up on your dashboard, which is kind of like a personalized home page different from every other members, because it has a different collection of things.

People write stories and post videos, but Tumblr is mostly filled with a plethora of photos. It is filled with photos of EVERY THING IMAGINABLE. And a lot of GIFs which are a cross between a little video and photo; it’s like a moving picture that has about 5 to 10 frames, generally speaking.

Now, Tumblr is not just somewhere to mindlessly and aimlessly look at photos of cool stuff and read funny little remarks. It’s a place to discover new things. I follow all different kind of blogs, including fan pages to my favorite shows, health blogs, self-improvement blogs, blogs for fashion, blogs for beauty, blogs for cute guys, blogs for bands/artists or music in general, blogs that post photos of animals. I even follow a blog dedicated to cats. But a blog can also just be a compilation of everything that interests the poster. I see a lot of things that I have never seen before and learn cool facts that I had not known about my favorite celebrities, bands, or shows.

One thing I really like about Tumblr is that for me, at least, it is reserved mostly for people that I don’t know. This way, I don’t have to be afraid of posting something people will criticize or annoy me about. Tumblr is sort of like special insight into my mind, and sometimes I would rather the people close to me stay a bit distanced from that.

It is just one of those awesome websites that I can’t live without… No, really, I like it that much. It’s an awesome way to pass the time and find out about cool, new things. If you don’t have one, I really suggest you get one! That is, if you’re not worried about falling into the Tumblr trap like I did and fall in love with it!

Netflix, Tetris Battle, and Online Shopping

These 3 things will be the death of me.

I am suffering from lack of sleep every day, or at least it seems that way.

I know I only have myself to blame, but seriously, there are WAY too many distractions around these days, especially on the internet.

I recently got a Netflix account, and there are so many good movies and shows that I have wanted to watch, but never have time. So, when is it that I can find time? When I should really be sleeping, of course. And TV shows always have such suspenseful endings, I can hardly quit once I have started.

Tetris battle has been making me crazy. Each game is only 2 minutes, so I always thing to myself, “What’s the harm in one more game? It’s only 2 minutes.” But that keeps escalating, and I play way more than I should. It is the most addicting game in history. Can’t live with it, can’t live without it.

Online shopping is extremely luring because there is no way for me to go out and shop, so online is the only way I can get my fix. I have some extra money at the moment, and I guess I’m just dying to spend it. Shoes are my main obsession… There is no way I could go a day without at least shoe shopping for 10 minutes.

I really need to figure out how to help myself break the curse these things have put me under; there is no way around procrastination. I need a day where I can just sleep for hours and watch Netflix, play tetris battle, and online shop for as long as I want to get it all out of my system.

My Best Friend and My Worst Enemy

FACEBOOK.

I love it too much.

It keeps me busy when I’m bored or want to know something, yet it distracts me whenever I have more crucial and important things to be doing.

As much as I hate to admit it, it’s true: Facebook does more harm than good sometimes, ESPECIALLY during final exam week.

That is why my friend and I have decided to change each other’s passwords, allowing only a small amount of time to each other each day to check their Newsfeed and respond to messages.

I already miss it, and it’s only been 2 hours since I have been logged on. But, it’s definitely for the best. It will help me study A LOT, and I mean a lot. Being on Facebook means Tetris Battle will always be a lurking temptation, and once I start that I wouldn’t be able to stop.

Also, not having a Facebook for a while will help me focus on other things in my free time and slowly break my addiction (hopefully).

So bye bye for now, Facebook! You’ve got nothing on me for a while.

Technology

I have come to the realization that I have a terrible addiction. And that addiction is technology.

I am slightly ashamed to admit this, to be honest.

I am probably not helping myself much as I sit here in front of my computer screen and type this blog, simultaneously on Facebook in another window. There is an unfortunate dependence I have seemed to build for the use of technology, and as much as others may not want to admit it, I have noticed it in them as well.

The internet is out of commission around campus, and it has been for about a week. At first, everyone was bugging out because they have no access to Youtube and Facebook.

WHAT?!?!?! OH MY GOD WHAT AM I GONNA DO?!!

I freaked out for a second, but then I realized something.

I have become way to dependent on these things. When was the last time I sent a letter by mail? Or researched from a source other than the internet? When was the last time I spent a day without texting my friends constantly? It has been a long time since these things have happened. I have forgotten the value of things unrelated to technology.

A break from the internet is a good thing for us OVS students here on campus. I feel like it has given me a chance to enjoy other activities that I like but usually neglect, like playing guitar, reading a book, or even just enjoying the outdoors.

So bye for now, technology. I’m taking a break from you.

The Legendary Golfer Contributes to the Medical Field

The Legendary golfer, Tiger Woods, has indeed failed his career due to his scandalous behavior.

The media successfully took an advantage of his affairs with a nightclub manager and several other mistresses, sabotaging his reputation mercilessly.

Since then, Tiger Woods has been taking a break from his career.

During his free time, he joined Pine Grove Behavioral Health and Addiction Services with a hope of treating his sex addiction.

Of course, his program was not free, at all.

On the bright side, his celebrity status succeeded to add popularity to this program, exponentially encouraging people to voice their symptoms of sex addiction.

Apparently, this “illness” can be “diagnosed.”

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