"to the cloud"

For those of you who are not aware, Windows 7 has supposedly created an "easy Photoshop type application" as part of the "Cloud" platform - although the terms "easy" and "Photoshop" usually don't go together for the novice or unexperienced user. As a result, the phrase "to the cloud" was born - as evidenced by the commercial below:

I found this commercial humorous to begin with. However, after seeing the attempts at a Loss family photo this Christmas, "to the cloud" takes on a whole new meaning and is now personal (see below). My apologies to my sister-in-law Kelly - we really didn't give you a lot to work with (and trust me, I know you only shared the "good" ones).

Now that I view these photos, I don't even think "the cloud" could help us....

*sigh*

cki disconnect: pop culture style

If you read this blog, you know I'm no longer CKI Administrator. And I'm finally ok with that. Regardless of circumstance, I would not be serving in that capacity today.

But for fun, let's take a look at why I would not fit in as the current CKI Administrator, pop culture style:

Glee obsession.

I fail to see why people are obsessed with this show. The concept : geeks join together and forge a bond and thus create their own clique. Wow...this is a novel concept...let's run with it! Not. It can be found in any sitcom or drama about and/or relating to high school students. Plus, for me high school was not a fun and joyous time nor the best years of my life. Why the hell would I want to live them vicariously through a TV show? Add to it that I'm not a fan of musicals in general - sans Rocky Horror Picture Show and a couple others.

Which begs the questions:

why would anyone attempt to destroy a wonderful cult classic?

what high school would actually allow the theatre department to perform RHPS?

Harry Potter fanatics.

You can tell me the books are well written. You can also tell me green beans are good for me. But if I have no interest in it or don't like them, it's just not happening. Period. I enjoy some sci-fi...Star Wars anyone? I can even go for the Matrix. When it crosses the line into fantasy, you've lost me. I have no interest at all. And with a HP themed fall trainer, everyone's fantasy would have been my hell.

However, I will give Harry Potter props for one thing: getting kids & teens to read. Beyond that, Harry should just graduate or (gasp) die. I am sick of you.

Disney.

I went to Disney World twice - at age 7 and 17. In my second trip, I called Dale of Chip & Dale Rescue Rangers Chip. Dale then proceeded to whap me on the nose. I was assaulted by a giant chipmunk. I really wasn't a huge Disney fan growing up, but this event certainly didn't help.

But these CKIers love Disney - about as much as Glee and Harry Potter. And it's not just the movies; it's the music too.

Now, I will admit I like two recent Disney movies: The Lion King and The Three Musketeers. The only explanation I can give for the former is that I'm a Leo and Jeremy Irons is the voice of Scar. I love Jeremy Iron's voice. The latter is actually one of my favorite literary classics. Plus, it's not a musical. And Oliver Platt is freakin' hysterical as Porthos.

Music.

There's a lot of pop music to be listened to. While I know who Justin Beiber is, I have no idea what he actually sings. And as a whole, I think most of the American Idol finalists sucked, and most pop music as crap. There is also a lot of 80s music to be listened to. As a point of reference, the average college student is 18-22 years old, thus being born 1988-1992. These college kids weren't even around to remember the 80s, let alone the music. It's almost frightening that they know all the words to Rick Springfield's "Jessie's Girl" yet barely any words to Guns 'n Roses "Welcome to the Jungle".

While I do listen to the 80s on occasion (read: when my iPod plays it) and admittedly still know the words to far to many "one hit wonders" - my preferred decades are the 1990s through today, alternative genre. I've always been an alternative music girl, so I'll chalk up the difference in music tastes to that.

And in closing, I leave you with a telltale example of the CKI pop culture disconnect:

On one board CD, a number of folks chose a song from the 1980s or an American Idol contestant. I chose Rage Against the Machine's "Renegades of Funk".

Enough said.

facebook folly?

Just out of curiousity, I checked out the We're not Crazy, We're just Catholics facebook groups as one of my friends had recently joined AND I was raised Catholic. Yes, I chuckled at some of the statements.

Then I looked at the advert on the page; a Give A Gift of a gay pride button. Um, last I checked the Catholic Church was not one of the most gay-friendly religions. Yes, I chuckled again.

Apparently these adverts are indeed random.

another reason to proofread...

If you are going to permanently deface property, at least have the common sense to spell the graffiti correctly.

Anarky? Really, even Sid Vicious got that one right....

proofreading is important

I may not have voted for Reagan in our mock-elections at school.

I am not happy that my hometown airport is named after him.

However, as a past President of the United States, he deserves respect.

That includes having his last name spelled correctly on a roadsign.

arty...

It begs the question:

What is an "arty" sub?

It could be a sub overdone with garnish.

Or a sub with cool mustard designs.

Or a mouthwatering creation with the edible layers stacked just so.

Wait, aren't the "sandwich artists" at that other sub place?