This month long vacation of mine is drawing to a close, regretfully...and equally regretful is the fact that I've succeeded in completely reversing my day-night cycle again. So here I am at 2 AM, again, updating my Xanga, again.  No random musings, though.  Just some (many) photos from my recent happenings.  Amongst them...interviews from coast to coast...friends...family...a wedding...It's been so great being reuinted with so many friends along the road, especially from "dear ol' AU."  It's been a good month!

Do people still read my Xanga?

What is it about public webspaces that makes us want to "blog"?  Why can't I just write in my little diary like I used to do as a child? Why is the prospect of an audience such a powerful motivator?  And even better, an anonymous audience?  Is it our own little way of becoming "almost famous"?  Is it that secret little ham inside all of us that craves fame, craves approval of people- never mind we would never divulge our thoughts so openly to random people face to face?

Of course psychologists have done extensive research on this phenomenon; I'm not the first.  But I think what it really boils down to, is vanity.  When all is said and done, we all want recognition.  We all want to be somebody.  We need to matter!

The irony is that technological progress and the internet has made society more impersonal and isolated than ever.  Less and less people know the names of their next door neighbors, forget talking to them for extended periods.  Less and less people are getting involved in their communities, in their churches and schools.  Who even knows where town meetings are held, let alone goes to them? 

So we've become a group of Me's, all the Me's wanting to be Somebody, all the Me's wanting to Belong.  But is it at the cost of Us?

Some would argue that, no, Us is stronger than ever.  Technology has bridged the gap and brought globalization, even.  You can make friends with fellow bloggers in Japan!  And what do you mean, no community?  There are communities galore!  Just join any one of a gazillion online communities. 

But I don't know.  I'm not convinced.  I think I can talk all I want within the safe confines of my study, behind the safe little screen on my laptop...and don't get me wrong- I love shooting the breeze like this, love getting comments and eprops from people who agree or disagree with me and why...But in the end, I don't think that's what makes me matter the most.  I think what matters the most is getting out of the safe comfort zone- physically going out there to visit my friend, or to speak to my neighbor face to face.  I think it's probably one of the reasons why robotic doctors and teleconferencing- while greatly helpful- will never replace the true healing value of the doctor's touch.   

I think the only way to really become Somebody is to be part of Us and We, not Me, me, me. 

And that's what I think.

Currently Listening Dreaming Out Loud By OneRepublic see related

OneRepublic is playing at the 9:30 Club in DC on Wednesday, Dec. 19, at 7:30 PM.  Tix are $15.  Anyone want to come with me? 

This past weekend, we hiked the Breakneck Ridge Trail in New York.  Voted #1 trail on trails.com, and for good reason...I would highly recommend this place to anyone! 

I love autumn colors in the northeast:

Lovely views of the Hudson River:

"Whatchu lookin' at?"

Mark, Bonnie, and Peter:

"Look, a bubbling brook!"

After six hours of hard work, we rewarded ourselves with some good ol' homemade country ice cream!

Ah, what a lovely weekend...God's handiwork is SO perfect, isn't it?

The interview trail:

November 12-13: Ann Arbor, MI

November 15-16:  Boston, MA

November 27-29: Denver, CO

November 29-December 3: Los Angeles, CA

December 3-4: Seattle, WA

December 11-13:  Chicago, IL

January 4-5:  Washington, DC

January 7: Chapel Hill, NC

January 11: Daytona Beach, FL

Please let me know if you will be in any of these areas and want to meet up with me, cuz I have a feeling I'll get lonely. :)