Monday 11 January 2010

I Will Say, Two-Thousand And Ten

A commenter on my video told me that some grammar association says that twenty-ten is correct, but that just feels weird to me, so incorrectly I will say, two-thousand and ten, it just doesn't make sense to me to go back to 20th century style pronunciations of years.

One:
Welcome back to another year of my thoughts, plans and dreams. I always appreciate your comments and reply every now and then by posting my own comments with an @ in front of your username, so check back if you ever have a question... I may not see any comments on old posts for a long time though.

Two: I have been posting daily to Tumblr as my last blog post (November 25th, oh my!) but have not managed to update my daily doings all the time. This is a working process. I do not intend for those days to be left blankly, and now that I have a very nice work station set up (my MacBook Pro and iMac sitting side by side, and an office that I always have access to post and be active with the "internets), I'm sure they wont remain blank for long.

The main problem with Tumblr is finding who to link to for the video. I uploaded a bunch of images and then deleted them off my computer and Tumblr eventually hides the file name of posts in their queues, so I don't have the right "props" for my latest posts. Most were found from Desire To Inspire, which has become one of my favourite blogs, which is nice to have a regularly visited blog.

Three: I've been posting videos fairly regularly and I feel fairly positive (more positive than before) that these videos will eventually turn into my plan for the long lost Response Videos of Yore. I'm enjoying the people who are watching and the comments and would be very happy if I was to keep that amount of people fairly happy from video to video.

Four: As for an update from the 25th, I sold a lot of my stuff on Craigslist (oh Seb, I can send you that stuff now - I'll DM you later) and Molly was very helpful with narrowing down my possessions and my whole office helped me move my stuff into my office while I stay with a friend.

I've been staying there for a month now (its nobody on YouTube) and its lovely. They treat me right and I must be sure to help out more, but I don't think I make a nuisance of myself, other than using electricity and water and using the occasional plate or their cutlery. I try to be clean and quiet and stay out of their way and its also made me spend more time and the office, which is good because I feel like lots of progress has been made and I'm just feeling more positive in general about the whole thing.

I worked throughout the holidays, except for Christmas Day, spending it with the people I am staying with and another special person.

On New Years Eve, I was alone and didn't feel particularly sociable, so I saw The Road and Nine and snacked on goodies from Tuckshop on St Marks.

New Years Day was spent stressing over work and crying, and then I took the train up to 81st and walked around the park and then to the New York Historical Society, where the lady gave me a student ticket even after I said Adult, "You meant, student, right?" "Wha..no..oh...yes, oh... thanks!!"

I will forever love that place now, even if I have to pay adult next time. I read all the information provided over the exhibit mentioned on TONY and it felt good to completely see something that may one day go back in storage.

They have some brilliant landscape pictures up at the moment of the most epic imagery imaginable, and I must go back before this week ends. Let's see that I do, okay?

After the brief adventure, and a quick bite alone at La Pain Quotidien, I returned to work and then to home and reheated some food even though it smelt mildly bad after it was heated, I really don't know why, its like I felt compelled to eat it. Very strange.

Watched Jurassic Park, fell asleep with the lights on, woke up feeling just awful, threw up, threw up again, and then again. Then I just wretched a couple of times until my friend helped me with things to settle my stomach and the magical Cola Syrup.

Worked some more and then felt like watching What A Girl Wants, so I rented it off iTunes, and remembered when Emily and I had purchased tickets to see it, because I loved Amanda Bynes and Emily loved Colin Firth. It made me miss her dearly.

Since then, I recovered from the cold I had previously and the stomach flu or food poisoning or whatever it was and worked tirelessly on my latest obsession, Youth In Revolt.

I've decided that I don't like the pressure of press or press photography and I don't like going to after-parties that are completely crowded and impossible to socialize in.

I've always had a problem talking about people when they are right there, it's not a big deal and everyone does it, but I personally feel very uncomfortable. Maybe it had something to do with ballet lessons, whenever someone would try to talk to me during auditions, I saw it as a big no-no, you want to have your full concentration and almost felt like this person was trying to ruin that for me - weird right? And paranoid too for such a young person. I guess that must have rubbed off into my twenties in any situation that I just don't feel comfortable in. I'm very much a, just smile and keep your mouth shut, which is fairly lame and uninteresting, but hey, that's me.

Anyway, so I knew it was going to be stressful, so no expectations were shattered, I just wish I could have been more relaxed. I just wanted everything to go right for Michael Buckley and it didn't, but he was so lovely anyway.

It was nice to see Michael Buckley do his thing and interview Michael Cera though, who I think is a fine young actor and like how he plays the crowd. There's a level of intelligence he possesses and he appears self-aware but confident, but still polite. It's admirable.

Speaking of intelligence, really want to go over that last sentence and re-work it, but I just don't have the time.

Editing a video at the moment... I've been posting thoughts into my blog but have not published them, so there is a lot going up into this but not enough is finished to be posted.

Oh, also, Five: Are there any articles about future technology resistant parents? I know that as important as basic computer skills are, I want my kids to grow up with wooden blocks and dirt rather than the ability to navigate an iPhone at 4-years-old. It only teaches impatience.

If I have children, and technology hasn't advanced so much to the point that we need high-tech instancy in our lives to ensure that we can even live them, I hope that my children don't need cell phones until they are 13 (pushing it, I know since very young people already have phones - but I didn't get a cell phone until I was 15 and didn't need one before then), a blu-ray television (with basic cable), xbox 360 (because I play more xbox games than playstation and it has the better Netflix system), nintendo DS, video cameras, cameras, and a powerful computer.

I already know that to function properly, my computers have to locked away in my office late at night, so that I leave before they switch the lights off on my floor AND so that I actually have to get out of the house to do basic editing or internet things, but I have my iPhone for movie times and search and anything that would require work away from home and I like that. I hope we have an office for a while now, never thought I'd say that, but its far healthful for me - though I do need to do more dancing to balance out all the times I'm sitting and I need a more healthful chair.

This is all comes from the article I was reading, The Children of Cyberspace... and have noticed similar articles like this in the past and don't know why there aren't more articles about parents resisting letting their kids be taught how to be impatient and expect instancy in every aspect of life. I also don't know why more people that I talk to seem so enthused about a child knowing how to use an iPhone at such an early age. I know some people are even excited by it, and that's fine, each to their own, obviously its all in the soul and the influence they have growing up, because plenty of children who played with dirt ended up as horrible human beings, I just... I don't know, I often wish I had not chosen a life of bright screens and bad eyesight and sore bottoms, and a life of travel and fresh air... and I would hope my children would chose to explore the world instead of the world wide web.

How do you want your children to grow up? Technology-capable, technology savants or completely unaware of technology at all?

Seem's like a phony question, but I'm interested in whether I'm not seeing the possibilities of technologically advanced infants. ; )

-Caitlin

Edit: Reasoning for products:

Blu-ray television - for the high-def films that I want the special features for that iTunes have not yet fully implemented into their services.

The television is for the news, and the television shows that I'd want to find my parents watching if I was a child today (The Office, 30 Rock, The Daily Show, Mad Men, etc...

Nintendo DS/PSP: This would mainly be for me, I don't want to not be playing a nintendo game or a brain game every now and then.

xbox 360: "family fun time" yo. Plus, I'd hate to be a member of Blockbuster instead of Netflix.

Video Cameras and Cameras, to capture the kids and for the kids to make films on, not vlogs. I'll never even show my children vlogs. If my child learnt any software, it'd be final cut pro haha... That's pretentious, isn't it? :P

Basic computer: because I need one and they aren't evil. I just will try to not let my kids see me sitting on one all the time not because its bad, just because I don't even want to sit at one all the time.

Polaroids, watches and record players first.

19 comments:

Oly said...

i say it as two thousand ten.

amanda bynes has ruined my childhood because she recently posed for maxim and it was really awkward. haha

jimmbboe said...

I totally agree with your point #5

Here's hoping 2 thousand 10 treats you well as I have always found you to be charming and lovely :)

emilyw said...

I'm with you on that kids don't need cell phone when they are young. I didn't get one until I started driving. Learning to use a computer is one thing, they can do that is school, but knowing how to efficiently use an iPhone at 6 is retarded.
I even tell kids who are 13 that, 'I don't have a cell phone so get over it if you don't get one.'(yes, I'm cell deprived right now haha)

I think it stipends young children's imaginations in being able to just go outside and pretend and play like we did when we were younger. Instead they need something visual from a phone or game.

So moderation is the key, I say. Know what is it but you don't need it to have fun. or what I would really be saying, 'Get out of my hair and go play outside.' that will probably be what I say to my kid(s) a lot haha :P

So I'm kinda on the tech capable but not necessary avenue I guess..

Greg Masters said...

I can imagine a future where children get implanted with some type of digital device... maybe accompanied by a nice ceremony. Terrifying.

MntlWard said...

I think people are enthused about early computer skills, because the jobs of tomorrow are going to involve increasingly-advanced computer skills. If kids learn the basics that young, then the foundation will have been set for when they need to learn advanced skills and help ensure their employment future.

MntlWard said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Unknown said...

My future kids will hopefully play in the dirt as I did when I was a kid. I spent my childhood mostly in the outdoors and that has led me to love being outside, that is why I am a geologist. I've never been technologically savvy, I got my first cell phone at 19 (I'm 22 now). Most of my friends got one around 16, I seem to always be behind in new technologies that come out. I do think a cell phone is an important thing to have these days and it is very convenient. I would give my kids a cell at 13 but I would regulate the use haha.

I will slowly wean technology into their lives... if that is possible in this day and age lol.

Chris in the Studio said...

Its funny this topic came up in your blog, because I was just thinking about it a lot today.

Today I spent with my 7 year old.

As I don't live with him I like to make the most out of my time with him. We spent 2 hours playing video games and 3 hours outside playing nerf guns, throwing a football throwing a baseball. Honestly, there was absolutely no comparison between the smiles on his face and the quality of our interaction. the outdoor experience was so much better and always is. His personality was so anti social after two hours of playing video games I just got up and shut it down. We went out and had a blast. Video games have to be regulated as well as tv. If you really pay attention to your kids and see what it does to them, and have the energy to keep them busy doing other things, you will know its the right thing to do. Its very tempting for parents who get lazy or tired to use t.v. or video games as a babysitter. I suppose my limited time with my own son makes me more aware of that when I see other parents do it.
Until now Owen has not taken any interest in the computer.
Farm ville has changed that. I don't play but my x wife plays it with him as a joint activity. When I watch them its like watching people on crack. I think I'll keep him supervised as far as internet for at least another year.
Every kid is will react differently to abuse or use of tech, but every parent who grew up playing in the dirt will know what is best for there children. :)

Simon said...

I think kids are most effected by their parents and other people they interact with more than what material items they have access too.

I also think one of the greatest gifts you can give children is travel - this broadens their perspective and fosters curiosity about living.

OzBro said...

We all know, you included Caitlin, that children will mimic the parent that was most close with, during their growing stage. If the parent uses a cell-phone; the child will grab a pack of gum and pretend to talk, just like Mommy or Daddy.

Who knows what today's technology will be like tomorrow? I remember, as a child, digging trenches in my next-door neighbour's sandbox, so that my Tonka dump-truck would have a spill and allow the imaginary workers to have the rest of the afternoon, to party at a pub or go home and hang with the family. =)

Brent said...

Just to let you know that the previous comment by OzBro was me and I was too indifferent to find the proper sign-in for Blogger - I was on a tear and I didn't feel like cutting & pasting at the moment.

EarleWidrich said...

It's a bit of a tough question when it comes to technology and children. I think it's important for them to know their way around a computer at an early age, for obvious reasons. As for the other things, like cell phones and video games, I would be pretty strict about that kind of stuff. I myself was pretty resistant about getting a cell phone and only got one well after most of my friends did. I was just never that interested in the latest gadget and how it can make my life 0.0001% "easier".

When I was a kid, my favorite toy was probably that exact same Tonka dump-truck that you had, Brent. I loved that thing. Just moving dirt from one area to another was some pretty sweet fun. I even bought one for my 5 year-old nephew a little while back since I really want him to play with something other than toys with lights and sound and all that. I'm not really sure how much he plays with it, though. Kids today definitely have a different expectation when it comes to toys.

So basically, I think as a parent, it's important to limit exposure to that type of technology (TV, video games, etc.), especially since it's so prevalent in our society anyhow. So perhaps it's a bit of a losing battle, but one that needs to be fought, I believe.

For the record, I say two-thousand and ten as well.

Keep warm! : )

-Earle

Anonymous said...

I want my children to grow up tech savvy, but also appreciate the outdoors, IRL friends and traveling. I didn't get a phone until my last year of college/uni. I only own a phone for 4 years now. Honestly, I don't think kids need that much technology at a young age. However, I do believe they need to be educated. The problem is that we need to balance our children's time with technology. However, the only way to do that is to find balance with ourselves first.

The future for our children is going to be interesting.

Anonymous said...

"I often wish I had not chosen a life of bright screens and bad eyesight and sore bottoms, and a life of travel and fresh air"

Caitlin! What are you, 21? Go travel then!

Though I´ve got to say, moving to New York sounds exciting to me.

As long as we're alive I guees there's time to do what we want, right?

And by the way... What excactly is it you do for work? I sounds like you have long office hours?

Oh, and I'm terrified of what technology might do to my children. I will force feed them with books and not tell them what a computer is till the hear other kids talking about them.


- Sidsel (20, DK)

Ps. It's so nice youøre uploading vlogs and blogs again.

david1082 said...

@Caitlin - "This is a working process"

I'm half-wondering if you mean "work in progress" here, but you probably don't. Blogging while drunk? ;-)

sdddlt said...

Few years ago my neighbors asked me if I had an old computer for their kid to learn on. He was about 4 or 5. I told them he wouldn't want play with it yet. They didn't believe me and bought him one of those educational laptops. All he did was draw with crayons all over the device.

However, once kids get older they should be able to explore the internet and the wonders of web 2.0. They also should have some guidance with that. I visited relatives during the holidays and their 8yo kid was looking for some online edutainment. I recommended watching some english videos on YouTube to improve on his pronunciation. He really enjoyed it but got a bit confused in the end, asking "do people really say 'norrr'?!" Luckily I was there to explain! ;)

Anyway, I'm especially thrilled about #3 and #4 on your list :)

Cheers!

funkwurm said...

I think it's important that my kids realize that technology doesn't replace real life. Actually I think a lot of grown ups should realize that.

Technology should only add stuff to our lives, not take away parts and try to replace it. As long as my kids see that, they can use computers and iPhones all they want. I was never limited in my usage of the computers we've had around the house and it made me learn English really fricking good, read books for fun (actual real printed books, I never did before) and travel the world.

I will say tweeduizend tien :)

Anonymous said...

1: Im sorry you cried on new years. I have been visiting my grandmother in the hospital since then. She died this afternoon. I have a lot of regrets and sadness about that... Life has taught me a lot.

2: I stayed in the office all the time when I was young. Even during weekends. Enjoy your life and do those things that YOU want and need to do. When you are finally able to.... avoid the office and do the things that fulfill your life instead.

3: I work in IT as a software tester and know how program. So my world has been surrounded by computers and technology for 20 years. When my contract ended I cancelled my cell, internet, closed facebook...everything. It was wonderful. When I grew up in the 80's life was good and there was no internet. All the really technical programmers and professionals I know today dont know how to use the latest gadgets and dont have facebook accounts so people who know how to use gadgets are lieing to themselves and their children if they think that it gives them an advantage. (ie I know how to program web pages, php, java, I am a database expert.....but I never use web pages like facebook, blogster...even though I know how to program them. So teaching your kids how to USE technology just like every other person on this 8 billion person planet fosters a false sense of 'advantage')

4: People havent seen the research that has happened in the last 10 years....in the future, monitors will wrap around our hands and will be in our glasses and we'll finally utilize quantum effects to make tiny computing devices that can think like biological organisms and accompany us wherever we go. I had a cell when i was 25, you had one when you were a teenager...kids in the future will NEVER be without a computer. And they will pick up the tech lingo just like a homeless person learns english without ever going to school...so dont worry about that.

5. When I was a kid in the 80's i played tennis all day and went skiing...I even used to raves and dance all night. I really liked dancing. I think Im healthier than most of my computer colleagues because I didnt spend all my time at the computer. So being a computer geek does have its disadvantages.

6. Most of all do what you want and need to do, what you think is right. No one is perfect, you will make mistakes and experience problems and regrets....but that is all part of life..and learning... I personally think you are a good person and think you will do well in life, so keep perservering...no matter what...

man...sorry for the long comment =P

Best wishes for the new year =)

Siobhan said...

I have a one year old and she loves tapping away on my mobile phone, tho she has no idea what its for! She has had a camera on her every day since the day she was born and she understands who the baby is in the mirror. I only let her watch certain shows on tv, there are only a few good childrens programs and def not anything with violence or death in it. She recognises songs and characters she's heard or seen before. I would be happy for her to use a computer when she's a little older as that is the way of the future. However! I always make it a thing to every day go out in the garden, go for a walk, spend time in nature. As a result she loves gardens and water. She's still discovering her world and she has so much to learn, and in the end its what she chooses. Of course, I'm aware the future is the growth of technology and she needs to be able to keep up too, as much as she needs to know about how beautiful the world is. Every new generation seems to have the mental capacity to learn whats out there.
Good point about how you say 2010! I'm lazy and say twenty-ten.

Totals