I’ve decided to start a new monthly series on this blog, something a little bit more personal so you guys can get to know me a little bit better and for myself so I can look back on things that happened during the year, so I’m kind of using this like a scrap book. I don’t think I will have pictures this month but I may toss in some as the year goes on, don’t really know, kind of just winging this as of right now. So at the end of every month or the beginning of the next I will be posting things that happened during the month that were exciting and awesome! I think that’s all and I’m going to jump into this now.
Spending The New Year With My Boyfriend: I went to Virginia for three weeks and got to spend the New Year with my boyfriend and half of January was spent there.
I Got To See Snow For The First Time: I saw snow once when I was little, I was like three, so I don’t really count that time because I can’t remember it. I enjoyed it a lot more than I thought I was going to and I played in it way more than I want to admit, it was just really fun for me to see.
I Made A Decision To Move To Virginia: Yes, guys, I am moving and I am very excited about it. This has been something on my mind for quite a while but during my last few months but during this last visit we finally settled on a time an things are panning out really well when it comes to that.
I Started Rewatching Sailor Moon: Jake and I started watching Sailor Moon again and I really have been enjoying it a lot, I love that show so much.
We Also Started Watching Steven Universe: I have heard about this show so much and just finally started watching this too, a lot of our time was spent between Sailor Moon and Steven Universe which is really awesome and was very enjoyable.
My Best Friend Brought Me The Morphe 35O Palette. My best friend went to California this past month and she brought me back this palette because she is amazing and I am super excited about it and to get to try it out since everyone talks about it, I may be a little bit late on this one but I’m still excited about that.
I think that is all of the reasons why this month has been awesome, these are all really exciting events to have happened to me, some a little more exciting than others but nonetheless all are important and things that helped make this month really amazing.
I can’t believe that October is over, I feel like I blinked and there went October, it has been one of the quicker months this year. Also, Happy Halloween. I really debated doing a Halloween themed post today, but if I’m being honest, I’m not really the biggest Halloween fan and haven’t done anything up until this point, so I figured why do anything Halloween related now. Let’s talk about this month.
This month went by so quickly it seems, which I am surprised about just due to the fact that multiple times this month I have said that this was the longest day ever at work so you would think to have so many days like this the month would go by slowly, but it didn’t. I will say, not a whole lot of eventful things went down during the month of October, not until the last week-ish at least.
Work has been pretty boring, the weather has been very middle of the road, which in an A/C place means not a whole lot going on this month, I’m sure that’s about to change as the weather changes and starts getting cooler.
Something else I did this month was trying to sell to thredup, it seemed really fun, easy and like I didn’t have to leave my house so I was up for giving it a shot. I did not like it, was not happy with my personal experience with it and if I’m being honest wouldn’t really recommend it, especially since if you want cash you have to wait two weeks for payout which seems like a bit much to me. Maybe I’m just grumpy but it was not a good time if you ask me.
Another thing that happened this month was that I was on the Stitchfix review blog thing, which I personally think was super exciting and I was really happy.
And now, of course, the obvious thing if you read my blog post on Saturday, I got married! Which is pretty cool and was fun, but I’m kind of glad it’s over. I’ll probably post a post with a bunch of photos and things in it once I get the photos back, or at least some of them if you guys would be interested in it as well. Really, I’m probably going to do it, either way, I’m just curious if you guys are interested.
And now to talk about some goals, starting with the goals that I set for myself last month, starting with Driving More, which I did not do. I don’t think there is anything more to say about that other then I suck at that. Read Five Books, is something I didn’t do either but I got close, I read four books this month and as of this moment, I think I am on track. Lose Five Pounds, didn’t do this either, oh well? Getting Back To Working Out is something that I’ve done this month, not quite as much as I wanted to but I’m still counting it as a win. Not quite at six but probably at five, which is pretty good I think. Decluttering was something that I worked on and did a pretty good job at, I decluttered so much but I also still feel like I could keep going, we’ll see how it goes. No Buy, I didn’t do well at this but I knew I wouldn’t, it was more like a low buy and I’m okay with that as that was kind of what I was expecting to do. Relaxing, nope, didn’t do this one super well but maybe November will be the month for this?
Get Ahead Of My Reading Challenge – I would really love to not only keep up with my challenge but really get ahead a book or two in the month of November, it seems like a long shot but it’s something that I want to do.
Get Ready For Blogmas -Simple enough but something I really want to have the wheels in motion of writing posts by the second week of November, hopefully, we’ll see how that goes.
Working Out – Once again I would like to get back to going six days a week, especially since we are entering Holiday season and this is something that I would really love to get back to and keep up with.
Beat October Views – October has been my busiest month so far, I got over 1,000 views for the very first time and it’s mostly due to the stitch fix post I posted a little bit back, but either way so far this year I have beaten the previous months on views and I’m hoping to do the same in November.
I’m glad you had such a great October and congratulations on getting married! I’m also hoping to Blogmas…fingers crossed! xo
When you travel via train, everyone is on their smartphones. Everyone is connected and sedated by technology. You see it everywhere you go. Everyone is addicted to the internet.
At first, I thought this is would be a problem because people would be engrossed by what they see on the internet that they would ignore human interaction.
Over time, I have realized that the reason why so many people are investing their attention into the internet rather than in other people is simply because the internet is better than people.
Think about it. We have finite attention. We cannot look at everything, so we need to be selective about what we see. We all have different tastes and preferences. Because we have finite attention, we need to focus on what gives us the most happiness. Quite simply, the internet is better at giving us what we want compared to people. When I go to YouTube, I can bring up videos instantly that fit my interests, such as finance, dividend investing, veganism, and technology, but if I were to have coffee or dinner with a friend, they will probably have other interests.
Even if you do manage to find a friend who you can talk to who shares the same interest as you, the problem is that people can change. One minute you’re happy with them and then suddenly they become really negative people who complain about everything, and so then you need to spend less time with them because that negativity may adversely affect you. However, social situations are not as easy as the internet. On the internet, say, on the YouTube app, if there is a video you don’t like, there is a “not interested” button that you can press. YouTube then reconfigures the videos it recommends based on its best estimate of your interests.
If there is a video on the YouTube app you don’t like, select “not interested” and YouTube will show you fewer videos like these.
If there is someone on YouTube who makes videos that you don’t like, you can easily unsubscribe or block them. Doing something similar in a social situation is tricky, especially if these are work colleagues or family. The internet gives you what you want and it quickly adjusts if it makes a mistake. You have the power.
Socializing with people is also expensive. It differs everywhere you go, but lunch will cost you about A$15 (US$12) per person and dinner will cost you about A$25 (US$19) per person. The internet is much cheaper, practically free.
Basically, the internet, thanks mainly to innovate tech firms like Google (and even Facebook), know what you want better than your friends, and they are able to give you what you want or what you may need more efficiently than your friends can.
In this competitive capitalist world, there is a fight for our attention, and friends have competed with technology and they are starting to lose. Humans simply don’t know how to serve other humans as well as technology does.
Author Calvin HaguePosted on October 8, 2016 October 8, 2016 Categories Society, TechnologyTags commuting, disconnection, google, human interaction, isolation, sedation, YouTube2 Comments on Google vs Friends – Will Technology Destroy Human Interaction?	
Awe for little miss 2.5 came in the form of the lights section at the Christmas store. As we climbed the stairs I could see her face changing, eyes widening and mouth opening further and further until, met with the site of a 9 foot snow man she could simply squeal “it’s enoooooormous”. For the first time ever I was able to put her down in a store and not have to chase her as the flashing, strobing lights had her rooted to the spot. We spent the next 20 minutes fiddling with settings on every set of display lights, hugging inflatable, glowing reindeer and then (as we recovered from the strobing) touching everything.
We had a ball, left the store after trying on every Santa hat we could find and then went to the local shopping mall to find more decorations. While we were there we hi-fived and hugged a Santa and then went to David Jones to look at more decorations, over-sized headphones and 3d televisions (new definition of cute is watching your daughter going off with a pair of Beats headphones on). We finished the day with Christmas tree decorating, lights turning on, and then the repositioning of every tree decoration below 1 meter high.
What’s really great is that we are finally having fun at Christmas. For those wondering how my catchy title fits into the post I mean it quite literally, this year we are actually conscious. Our first Christmas was tough. Celebrations were wedged between the sleeps of a child that would barely make 20 minutes with her eyes shut and shared with a wife that was struggling with a lack of the aforementioned. The second year little miss 2.5 (who was 1.5 – will need better nicknames me thinks) had got a little better but to ensure we kept raising the bar we chucked in a plane trip to Brisbane, staying with family she barely knew, at a house she didn’t remember. Some of you may be reading this thinking “no big deal” but when your petrified of re-living the first 12 months of no sleep you tend to find relaxing a bit difficult when your off your home turf.
This year it’s different. Our once bundle-of-nerves-and-reflexes is now a little person who gets excited about the same things I do (says a lot about her Dad). This year we’re all awake, reasonably well rested and excited. This year I am getting to see Christmas through the eyes of my little girl who is seeing it, really seeing it, for the first time. This year there will be a trampoline and one of us is very excited that it takes up to 150kg.
So when was your first conscious Christmas or did it all work out for you a lot quicker? What’s the best Christmas memory that you’ve made this year (so far)?
I love Christmas. It just gets better and better as the younger boy grows up and now realise a bit more about what going on. I have 3 that are totally into it (brawls over lego advent calenders are quite normal here) and the 2 yr old thinks the lights and decorations are pretty cool.
Dora is almost two and knows that something fun is going on with all of the Christmas decorations up. Not sure she ‘gets it’ yet though.
I’m with Kaz & Ang – it has to be The Griswalds. Its a beautiful age that your little girl is at. I can remember when we took P1 to view Christmas lights for the first time. She nearly hyper ventilated with excitement. The good news is, Christmas just gets better. You can milk the Santa’s watching you line for all its worth. Wishing your family a very illiterate Christmas.
Absolutely Grizwalds! I think next year we’ll be turning the “Santa is watching you” screws”. A Fabulous christmas to you guys as well
ohhhh it must be SO exciting to share it with her now that she gets super excited and is aware of what is happening! love!
Oh I love it! Ava is 2 and 4 months and it’s all very exciting for her too! Actaully while I was opening posts this morning she was leaning over the iPad to see the pic I put of Santa on my blog. Was very cute.
Gorgeous!! You have pretty much described how our Christmas is shaping up this year – our just-turned-3 year old has also “got” it. She’s so excited. She’s just not that into Santa, though. In her words – “I don’t like Santa to talk to, but I like to watch him”. (Creepy or cute – not sure…?)
i look back on the photos of PJ’s first christmas and seriously – with a baby and a toddler hanging off me, i look more like a zombie than anything else
At my wedding, my uncle got up to make a speech. His words were: “I am so pleased you are getting married. We need children to bring Christmas back to life again.” Oh the pressure. But it’s true. Children make Christmas.
A trampoline? Very cool. I think trying to picture how Santa managed to fit it in his sleigh makes the gift even more magical.
This year I am excited because Miss 4 finally gets it all and there is a suprise and build up for her! I can’t wait! One of my favourite times of the year!
Christmas gets better every year as they grow and you develop traditions. I love this time of the year!
I’ve always loved Xmas. The fact that JT (3) shares my love is a big bonus! You will have so much fun with it from here on. Welcome to the conscious!
G was 2 last Christmas so while she recognised Santa and Christmas trees she wasn’t as excited about as she is this year! We have her b’day this weekend so we’re holding off on the Tree and decorations until that’s out the way. Your little one sounds delightful! xx
Miss Z is nearly 2.5 and kind of gets it. She screamed on the weekend when we tried to get Santa photos, so she missed out, but as hubby lead her away from the “Fat Man”, she pointed to Santa and said “present”. So I think she has a small idea. Maybe next year! Master 1 is only 1 and has no idea, he will be happy to play with wrapping paper! 🙂
Insanely jealous. Our trampoline only holds 80kg. Which means it’s always up to me to get on with the kids and take one for the team while #1Hubby sits back and smirks. Clearly we need to upgrade.
So bloody jealous. Our trampoline only holds 80kg. Which means it’s always me who has to get on with the kids and take one for the team while #1Hubby sits back smirking. Clearly it’s time for us to upgrade.
So much fun when they are little. My older ones who no longer believe in Santa, love playing with the two little ones almost 3 and 17 months – It has brought the magic back, Enjoy, coming from IBOT
It’s our first conscious Christmas too!!! It’s so exciting when you get to experience Christmas through your children’s perspective.
I’m really interested to see what Mia thinks of Christmas this year. Last year she was 4 weeks old so to say she had zero interest is in understatement! This year she will be 13 months, and I know she will enjoy ripping apart wrapping paper, if her birthday was anything to go by, but beyond that, I don’t know how much she will really care. She likes to touch the ornaments on my Mum’s tree which means that after Dave’s birthday today I will be putting up a little fibre optic Christmas tree on the bar where curious little fingers can’t reach it or climb to it! I can’t wait till she understands it all though, it’s gonna be so fun!
Totally feeling you on the trip with family! My little guy is 13 months…has only just started to sleep better. What are we doing this Christmas? Going to the grandparents, where there is a total of 17 ADULTS staying and 7 CHILDREN. In a super hot, small house. I wanted to get accommodation. It was shot down. *sigh* dreading the no sleep thing…here’s hoping next year for us will be a bit like yours!
First Christmas J was only 6months old and had no idea. Second Christmas he was 18 months old, had no idea, and slept in for THE FIRST TIME EVER. Third Christmas, J was 2 1/2 and excited and totally into it, but H was only 9 months old and rarely slept and wouldn’t go to anyone else but Mummy so the excitement was lost. Fourth Christmas both of the boys were into it but I was heavily pregnant and over tired and even fell asleep putting up the Christmas tree. This year, the boys are so into the Christmas hype they’re practically vomiting tinsel, but babygirl just thinks those shiny decorations are more things she can eat. Moral of the story, when you’re a baby factory, Christmas is ALWAYS work. But fun. I do love it.
Last year she understood, but living in a Muslim country means Christmas is a little understated and we are far from family friends. But this year we are heading home to Australia, I can’t wait to envelope my little girl in everything Christmas!!!
The Scoutpack by YKRA is the perfect sized backpack for light trekking or city use. The bag is carefully crafted in Hungary out of heavy cotton canvas with woven cotton straps and a leather buckle. Inspired by 70’s mountaineering get up this bright red backpack is a real explorer bag with white leather straps and off white details. The triangular flap opens to reveal a canvas calico drawstring inner bag for extra protection of your belongings and inside there is an elasticated pocket section for a ipad or small laptop. The straps are adjustable with metal sliders and there is also a carry tab at the back.
LINCOLN CATHEDRAL, Lincolnshire. A misty view with Lincoln Cathedral in the distance taken from the Swanpool. The Cathedral dates back to 1092 with later additions and remodelling. Photograph taken January 1949
If you want to collect insurance you have to make it look like an accident and it helps if the body doesn't disappear; The insurance companies and cops say you'll always get caught; but we know they're not quite right becasue at least half a dozen people collected over a million dollars and remained free for years before getting caught!
Skeptics routinely claim "Extraordinary evidence should be required for extraordinary claims!"; Ancient megaliths over 700 tons have been moved hundreds of miles; experiments to replicate this feat with ancient technology started cheating when they got over 10 tons, & didn't even try anything above forty tons, providing extraordinary evidence of a major unsolved mystery!
I love Him more than life itself, and I'll unapologetically say it again. I love you Jesus. - Imgflip