First Facebook, now this? You've GOT to be kidding me. This is just getting ridiculous.
Skype is a voice over Internet protocol (VoIP) client that we use on a daily basis at my job. It's not that we need it. It just makes our job easier because with Skype we can message anyone about anything we are doing without having to worry about emails (since hardly anyone actually checks their emails here), or having to get up and go bug them about it. It's a simple communication tool that makes it so we can communicate without having to disrupt what someone else is doing, or having to wait until they get back to their desks if they're away for a moment. Not to mention just getting up and walking around takes our focus off what we are working on.
I have plenty I can be working on. Believe me on that one. However, there are a lot of things I need to communicate with other people about to get them done. I can't do that if Skype is down. I can, but that turns a 10 minute task into a 30 minute to an hour task. It's a pain in the butt, to say the least.
Skype was just starting to hit it big with big corporations, however, if I were running a big corporation and I found that our communication tool went down, even once for a few minutes, I would be looking for something else to use.
Skype has yet to send any information about the outage, and they haven't even bothered to mention it other than a small Twitter message: “Some of you may have problems signing in to Skype – we’re investigating, and we’re sorry for the disruption to your conversations.” No, I do not use Twitter (nor do I EVER intend to). I got this information from another online source. This is all that has been said about it. There are several blogs and articles online, but nothing from Skype themselves. If they can't even keep their users informed when there is a problem, is this really a service you can trust? According to one article, "The number of users online has continued to drop, as just over 10 million users are on the service now." That's an insane number of people. I can't believe such a trusted service has gone down like this, and my hope is that Skype either picks up again, or they at least release a statement about what is happening.
In all this hubbub, I am faced with the question of how many services out there really are trusted? Or rather, really should be trusted. What's next, Twitter? Can you imagine the millions of users staring at their computer screens unsure of who they're going to tell about that crazy bowel movement they had this morning? It's pure insanity.
Mark my words, this is the beginning of the technological apocalypse!
Wednesday, December 22, 2010
Thursday, December 16, 2010
Facebook Goes Down
Well, it happened. I expected it, but I have yet to see it. Until today. I went to log into Facebook while I was eating what little bit I had for lunch, and there was nothing. A void. That's right Ladies and Gents, a blank screen. I went to my phone thinking maybe my work had finally blocked it. My FB app kicked me out completely. I tried going to the page on the web browser on my phone. All to no avail.
So what happened? Did their servers crash? Did Facebook finally get shut down? Will it ever be back? Chillax. Just breathe. It's not the end of the world. Or is it? I know for some out there, it really is. It makes me laugh. In the midst of using my "google-fu", I found that the site has gone down due to rolling out the new brand pages. I don't think this is the new profile. I think they're actually rebranding. Much like MySpace did. Or should I say My_____. So stupid.
Anyways. This post was completely pointless. I just thought it was funny. And I'm curious to see how many hits I get on this post from people thinking I'm going to give them even an inkling of what is happening to their precious.
So mote it be! ^_~
So what happened? Did their servers crash? Did Facebook finally get shut down? Will it ever be back? Chillax. Just breathe. It's not the end of the world. Or is it? I know for some out there, it really is. It makes me laugh. In the midst of using my "google-fu", I found that the site has gone down due to rolling out the new brand pages. I don't think this is the new profile. I think they're actually rebranding. Much like MySpace did. Or should I say My_____. So stupid.
Anyways. This post was completely pointless. I just thought it was funny. And I'm curious to see how many hits I get on this post from people thinking I'm going to give them even an inkling of what is happening to their precious.
So mote it be! ^_~
Thursday, December 2, 2010
These are a few of my favourite things
Okay, I stumbled on the blog of my sister-in-law Brooke, and it made me want to share a few things. This has nothing to do with local politics, or random whining about staying home too much. This is going to tell you about the things I love in my life.
My wonderful husband. Oh my god. Where would I be without this man? He is my best friend, my confidant, my companion, my soul mate, and the love of my life. I can't imagine even living my life now without him. I can't even tell you how I did it before I met him. He brightens every day. He makes me laugh. He makes me feel better about myself than I have in I don't know how long. He makes me feel like together we are capable of anything and everything. Derek, I love you more than words can say. I cannot express how much you mean to me. Hold on to me forever and never let me go. Remember, we're going to die at the same time, in our sleep, in each others arms after we've both gone old and senile. ^_~ I love you so much!!
My family. My dad, my mom, my niece Kristine, Jareth, Derek, my sister Laura, my nephew Lucas, and my brother-in-law Josh. Family is everything and my family has been by me through thick and thin. I love you all with all my heart.
My new family. Brooke and Scott my new sister-in-law and brother-in-law, with boys Payton and Bracken. Cynthia, my new mother-in-law. Lindsay my new sister-in-law. Clint my new brother-in-law (Facebooking at this moment, I imagine) and his daughter Sydney. Thank you all for being so welcoming to me. You have all been so amazing and I can't imagine marrying into a better family.
My pets. Seems silly, I know. But I love them. Cheese, my cat. What a goof ball. This little ball of fur chases me around and grabs my legs when I'm not expecting it. Then he'll attack me when I'm watching TV for no good reason. I love it. And he acts like a dog which makes me laugh. He fetches. It's so funny! Then of course my frogs, A Boy Named Sue and Margaret. Derek won these little guys at Draper Days this year and I love them. They're cute. They don't do much and I don't have to do much to take care of them, and as goofy as it sounds, I think they're cute.
As weird as it sounds coming from me, Christmas. I get to spend time with my family and exchange presents. I love getting people gifts. Especially good ones. It brightens my life in a way that nothing else could.
And sunsets. Oh man. When there's a beautiful sunset like this one, it helps remind me even in my darkest hours that there really is beauty in this world. I can't help but stare and smile when there's a good sunset. It's one of the best feelings.
Okay. I think I'm done for now. I just wanted to share some of my favourite things with you today. I will probably write more later. And Brooke, thank you for inspiring me. I know you didn't do anything in particular, but just seeing your blog with all your pictures made me decide to do this. You're awesome. Thank you.
My son. First and foremost. These are really old pictures, but I love them, none-the-less. Shows how much of a goofball my little boy really is. He came along accidentally, but most certainly not a mistake. I got pregnant at a young age and ended up in a bad relationship because of it. However, I wouldn't change any part of it. I love my little boy more than words can express and I wouldn't be who I am today without him in my life. He has saved me in more ways than he will ever know. I love you so much, Jareth! I can't wait to see the man you will grow up to become!
Okay. I think I'm done for now. I just wanted to share some of my favourite things with you today. I will probably write more later. And Brooke, thank you for inspiring me. I know you didn't do anything in particular, but just seeing your blog with all your pictures made me decide to do this. You're awesome. Thank you.
Friday, October 8, 2010
Pro-Gay Protest Downtown SLC Oct 7th, 2010
Okay... I have to find where to start.
I've been hearing SO many things that have offended me today that I'm about to lose my mind. I cannot believe how close-minded people can be.
Before I go on, I must point out that I have not read Boyd K. Packer's speech from the LDS Fall 2010 General Conference in its entirety. I have, however, read excerpts from it. If anyone that reads this knows where I can get the entire speech, I would be much appreciative.
From what I have heard of the talk, Boyd K. Packer stated that being gay is “impure and unnatural”. There have been several examples of homosexual behavior in the wild. Let me list a few locations I have found information just by doing a simple search in Google:
Should I go on?
If homosexual behavior can be found so commonly in the wild, how then, can it possibly be “impure and unnatural”?
Now, let’s move on to another point.
“There are those today who not only tolerate but advocate voting to change laws that would legalize immorality, as if a vote would somehow alter the designs of God’s laws and nature,” Boyd K. Packer, president of the church’s Quorum of Twelve Apostles, said in a strongly worded sermon about the dangers of pornography and same-sex marriage. “A law against nature would be impossible to enforce. Do you think a vote to repeal the law of gravity would do any good?” Some argue that “they were pre-set and cannot overcome what they feel are inborn tendencies toward the impure and unnatural,” he said. “Not so! Why would our Heavenly Father do that to anyone? Remember he is our father.”
-Salt Lake Tribune
I cannot say as a matter of fact if sexual orientation is decided or inborn as there have not been any conclusive studies that I can find to site, however, I can give my opinion.
There are people out there that decide which orientation they prefer. I also know that there are many people out there that cannot decide. They are hard-wired that way. The only reason I believe this with such certainty is the amount of criticism homosexual and bisexual people face. Who would choose that? I know I wouldn’t. Would you? Why would someone choose to be ridiculed their entire lives if they had any other choice? There are people that hide it so as to not be tormented. These are the people that marry the opposite sex and later tell their spouse that they are unhappy because they cannot be attracted to them. Or the young LDS boys that go on missions only to come home early because they know they are living a lie. These young men often leave the church completely or end their lives rather than live a lie.
Who are we to tell these young men and women they are evil and unnatural for what they are naturally drawn to? Why can they not be happy? What right do we have to take that away from them?
There are multitudes of people that have tried to change their behavior and tried to not be attracted to the same sex. This almost always fails. Can you imagine why? If this was something that one COULD change, why would this fail?
Let’s look at this from another angle.
It has been said that human beings are hard wired to be attracted to the most suitable partner. The same thing happens in the wild. If this were not the case, can you explain to me why one woman or man is attractive to you and another is not? Or why one woman or man is attractive or not attractive to you, but is the opposite for someone else?
My point is, we cannot help who we are attracted to in the heterosexual world, so why would it be any different with homosexuality? I am bisexual. I find men and women attractive. This is not to say that I see women and can appreciate them. Both men and women generate feelings of desire, just as to any heterosexual, one member of the opposite sex will generate feelings of desire, where another will not.
We do not pair up with someone that we do not have feelings of desire for. Otherwise, what would be the point?
I have so much I would like to say on this point, but I’m getting off topic. I originally started this particular installment of my blog to talk about the protest that happened last night (October 7th, 2010) and the comments I have been hearing or reading today in response to that protest.
“Gay rights activists staged a silent protest Thursday evening outside the headquarters of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Salt Lake City in response to a Church leader's remarks that homosexuality is an immoral condition that can and should be overcome.”
-KSL
I am not going to quote any specific comments I have heard or read today. I am only speaking generally about this.
No one was there to start a fight. No one was violent. They were there to make a point.
That point was simple. Millions of people commit suicide or are hurt in one way or another by anti-gay activists preaching intolerance. Boyd K. Packer may not have meant to hurt anyone directly. However, in saying what he said during his speech, he may be misinterpreted and some listeners may lash out towards those that are different.
I do not blame the protesters. I would have been there if I were in different circumstances. I have been to a protest against something the LDS religion has done or said in the past and I very much enjoyed it. No, the church will never change their views. We don’t expect them to. All pro-gay activists want is acceptance. Tolerance. Most gays and lesbians do not force their views on others (there are some radicals out there, but they do not – despite what some might think – make up the majority). Why do others feel it necessary to force their views on them?
Who are they hurting? I keep reading, seeing, hearing people say that to give homosexuals the right to marry, they are threatening traditional marriage. How is that? I have never heard a single soul utter the words “We want the right to marry and we want your rights stripped!” Have you?
All the gay community wants is the same rights as anyone else. African-Americans received those rights, although they were thought for so long to not deserve those rights. Women received the right to vote, although they were perceived for a long time to not deserve that right. Where is it written in stone that homosexuals should never be allowed the same rights as heterosexuals?
I have so much more I want to say, but that will have to wait.
In closing, I simply ask that you open your mind and heart to those different from you. Don’t turn them away, criticize, or hurt those people. No one chooses to be different. Love thy neighbor, right? Try to be more tolerant of people in general. Especially anyone different from what you may see as “normal”.
Thank you for reading my blog today. If you like what you’ve read, become a follower. I guarantee I will have more entries like this. And please, leave me a comment. Let me know what you really thought of what I had to say.
Thank you.
I've been hearing SO many things that have offended me today that I'm about to lose my mind. I cannot believe how close-minded people can be.
Before I go on, I must point out that I have not read Boyd K. Packer's speech from the LDS Fall 2010 General Conference in its entirety. I have, however, read excerpts from it. If anyone that reads this knows where I can get the entire speech, I would be much appreciative.
From what I have heard of the talk, Boyd K. Packer stated that being gay is “impure and unnatural”. There have been several examples of homosexual behavior in the wild. Let me list a few locations I have found information just by doing a simple search in Google:
If homosexual behavior can be found so commonly in the wild, how then, can it possibly be “impure and unnatural”?
Now, let’s move on to another point.
“There are those today who not only tolerate but advocate voting to change laws that would legalize immorality, as if a vote would somehow alter the designs of God’s laws and nature,” Boyd K. Packer, president of the church’s Quorum of Twelve Apostles, said in a strongly worded sermon about the dangers of pornography and same-sex marriage. “A law against nature would be impossible to enforce. Do you think a vote to repeal the law of gravity would do any good?” Some argue that “they were pre-set and cannot overcome what they feel are inborn tendencies toward the impure and unnatural,” he said. “Not so! Why would our Heavenly Father do that to anyone? Remember he is our father.”
-Salt Lake Tribune
I cannot say as a matter of fact if sexual orientation is decided or inborn as there have not been any conclusive studies that I can find to site, however, I can give my opinion.
There are people out there that decide which orientation they prefer. I also know that there are many people out there that cannot decide. They are hard-wired that way. The only reason I believe this with such certainty is the amount of criticism homosexual and bisexual people face. Who would choose that? I know I wouldn’t. Would you? Why would someone choose to be ridiculed their entire lives if they had any other choice? There are people that hide it so as to not be tormented. These are the people that marry the opposite sex and later tell their spouse that they are unhappy because they cannot be attracted to them. Or the young LDS boys that go on missions only to come home early because they know they are living a lie. These young men often leave the church completely or end their lives rather than live a lie.
Who are we to tell these young men and women they are evil and unnatural for what they are naturally drawn to? Why can they not be happy? What right do we have to take that away from them?
There are multitudes of people that have tried to change their behavior and tried to not be attracted to the same sex. This almost always fails. Can you imagine why? If this was something that one COULD change, why would this fail?
Let’s look at this from another angle.
It has been said that human beings are hard wired to be attracted to the most suitable partner. The same thing happens in the wild. If this were not the case, can you explain to me why one woman or man is attractive to you and another is not? Or why one woman or man is attractive or not attractive to you, but is the opposite for someone else?
My point is, we cannot help who we are attracted to in the heterosexual world, so why would it be any different with homosexuality? I am bisexual. I find men and women attractive. This is not to say that I see women and can appreciate them. Both men and women generate feelings of desire, just as to any heterosexual, one member of the opposite sex will generate feelings of desire, where another will not.
We do not pair up with someone that we do not have feelings of desire for. Otherwise, what would be the point?
I have so much I would like to say on this point, but I’m getting off topic. I originally started this particular installment of my blog to talk about the protest that happened last night (October 7th, 2010) and the comments I have been hearing or reading today in response to that protest.
“Gay rights activists staged a silent protest Thursday evening outside the headquarters of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Salt Lake City in response to a Church leader's remarks that homosexuality is an immoral condition that can and should be overcome.”
-KSL
I am not going to quote any specific comments I have heard or read today. I am only speaking generally about this.
No one was there to start a fight. No one was violent. They were there to make a point.
That point was simple. Millions of people commit suicide or are hurt in one way or another by anti-gay activists preaching intolerance. Boyd K. Packer may not have meant to hurt anyone directly. However, in saying what he said during his speech, he may be misinterpreted and some listeners may lash out towards those that are different.
I do not blame the protesters. I would have been there if I were in different circumstances. I have been to a protest against something the LDS religion has done or said in the past and I very much enjoyed it. No, the church will never change their views. We don’t expect them to. All pro-gay activists want is acceptance. Tolerance. Most gays and lesbians do not force their views on others (there are some radicals out there, but they do not – despite what some might think – make up the majority). Why do others feel it necessary to force their views on them?
Who are they hurting? I keep reading, seeing, hearing people say that to give homosexuals the right to marry, they are threatening traditional marriage. How is that? I have never heard a single soul utter the words “We want the right to marry and we want your rights stripped!” Have you?
All the gay community wants is the same rights as anyone else. African-Americans received those rights, although they were thought for so long to not deserve those rights. Women received the right to vote, although they were perceived for a long time to not deserve that right. Where is it written in stone that homosexuals should never be allowed the same rights as heterosexuals?
I have so much more I want to say, but that will have to wait.
In closing, I simply ask that you open your mind and heart to those different from you. Don’t turn them away, criticize, or hurt those people. No one chooses to be different. Love thy neighbor, right? Try to be more tolerant of people in general. Especially anyone different from what you may see as “normal”.
Thank you for reading my blog today. If you like what you’ve read, become a follower. I guarantee I will have more entries like this. And please, leave me a comment. Let me know what you really thought of what I had to say.
Thank you.
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
Need to Get Some Stuff Out
I was really hoping my first entry would not be about me. I think it's going to end up that way anyhow.
I just have a lot on my mind at the moment and I need to vent. Anyone that actually wants to read this, be my guest. lol. But personally, I don't think it will be of any interest to anyone but myself. I didn't want this blog to be about anything personal, but as this is my first entry, I figure it's fair for me to talk a bit about myself. Maybe let people get to know me a little.
There has been a lot going on in the world lately. To be honest, I couldn't tell you what any of it was. My life has been so hectic lately, I have found it difficult to think about anything outside of my home, my job, and my family.
I got a new position at work. It's been intriguing, but at the moment, there's not a lot for me to do. I've been working diligently on whatever I can, but after a while, I end up recycling my tasks and doing them again to make sure the first time they worked it wasn't just a fluke.
I guess I should explain a bit about what I do for a living. I used to be working in the technical support department of an engineering company. Taking phone calls from our clients and working through the issues or logging bugs. Recently, I have been moved to the system test team. Now I do testing on all of our bug fixes. Unfortunately, we have a roll out going out tomorrow, so any testing that needed to be done is already done, and nothing else is ready to be tested at the moment. So "here I lie with words to swear, there's something more than the world out there".
I fear I have become what I most dreaded. A "homebody". We rarely go out. The last time my husband and I did anything as just the two of us was our honeymoon. We've now been married just over 2 months. We have our 8 year old son with us at all times, so we really can't get any one-on-one time. I'd love to go out to a party; to karaoke; to a bar; dancing; etc. The truth of the matter is that we just can't afford the time away from home. It's not cheap to go out on the town. We make enough, but with paying what we do for rent, not to mention all of our bills, there's just not a lot left.
We've been talking about going out on date nights again. I really hope we can do it soon. I miss it. All we do now is rent movies and stay at home. Don't get me wrong, the time with my husband is great. I just wish we could get out every once in a while too.
And then of course, last but certainly not least, is the matter of friends. I don't know if it's that I got into a relationship and got married, or what it is. But it seems that most of my old friends have all but disappeared. This has happened before and it's really frustrating. I love having friends. I love doing things with my friends. Lately, it's been almost like pulling teeth just to get anyone to hang out at any point. Not everyone has been like this, mind you. And to those few, I really appreciate it. You know who you are (mostly because you know you have hung out with me recently... lol) I had a Lia Sophia party this last weekend. Only 6 out of the 50 people I invited actually showed up. My sister was one and she was conducting the party. Then there was my mom. Thank you to Laura, Mom, Chrissa, Stacey, Val, and Ashley for coming that night. I really appreciate it. There were several things that frustrated me about that party, but I don't think this is the proper place to vent. Let's just say that I feel like I'm expendable. If anything else comes up last minute, so long! Just my feelings. And the fact that this isn't the first time this has happened is what upsets me the most. I'd say maybe I'd do that to those that have done it to me just so they know how I feel when it happens, but number one, I like to think I'm a better person than that, and number two, I don't get invited out and about very often anyway.
*Phew* Now that THAT rant is over. I think that's all I need to get off my chest. I'm just frustrated with a few things and I feel like I'm losing a part of myself because of things that have happened lately.
At any rate. If anyone has actually read this all the way through, thank you. And I promise, my next entry won't all be about me. ^_~
I just have a lot on my mind at the moment and I need to vent. Anyone that actually wants to read this, be my guest. lol. But personally, I don't think it will be of any interest to anyone but myself. I didn't want this blog to be about anything personal, but as this is my first entry, I figure it's fair for me to talk a bit about myself. Maybe let people get to know me a little.
There has been a lot going on in the world lately. To be honest, I couldn't tell you what any of it was. My life has been so hectic lately, I have found it difficult to think about anything outside of my home, my job, and my family.
I got a new position at work. It's been intriguing, but at the moment, there's not a lot for me to do. I've been working diligently on whatever I can, but after a while, I end up recycling my tasks and doing them again to make sure the first time they worked it wasn't just a fluke.
I guess I should explain a bit about what I do for a living. I used to be working in the technical support department of an engineering company. Taking phone calls from our clients and working through the issues or logging bugs. Recently, I have been moved to the system test team. Now I do testing on all of our bug fixes. Unfortunately, we have a roll out going out tomorrow, so any testing that needed to be done is already done, and nothing else is ready to be tested at the moment. So "here I lie with words to swear, there's something more than the world out there".
I fear I have become what I most dreaded. A "homebody". We rarely go out. The last time my husband and I did anything as just the two of us was our honeymoon. We've now been married just over 2 months. We have our 8 year old son with us at all times, so we really can't get any one-on-one time. I'd love to go out to a party; to karaoke; to a bar; dancing; etc. The truth of the matter is that we just can't afford the time away from home. It's not cheap to go out on the town. We make enough, but with paying what we do for rent, not to mention all of our bills, there's just not a lot left.
We've been talking about going out on date nights again. I really hope we can do it soon. I miss it. All we do now is rent movies and stay at home. Don't get me wrong, the time with my husband is great. I just wish we could get out every once in a while too.
And then of course, last but certainly not least, is the matter of friends. I don't know if it's that I got into a relationship and got married, or what it is. But it seems that most of my old friends have all but disappeared. This has happened before and it's really frustrating. I love having friends. I love doing things with my friends. Lately, it's been almost like pulling teeth just to get anyone to hang out at any point. Not everyone has been like this, mind you. And to those few, I really appreciate it. You know who you are (mostly because you know you have hung out with me recently... lol) I had a Lia Sophia party this last weekend. Only 6 out of the 50 people I invited actually showed up. My sister was one and she was conducting the party. Then there was my mom. Thank you to Laura, Mom, Chrissa, Stacey, Val, and Ashley for coming that night. I really appreciate it. There were several things that frustrated me about that party, but I don't think this is the proper place to vent. Let's just say that I feel like I'm expendable. If anything else comes up last minute, so long! Just my feelings. And the fact that this isn't the first time this has happened is what upsets me the most. I'd say maybe I'd do that to those that have done it to me just so they know how I feel when it happens, but number one, I like to think I'm a better person than that, and number two, I don't get invited out and about very often anyway.
*Phew* Now that THAT rant is over. I think that's all I need to get off my chest. I'm just frustrated with a few things and I feel like I'm losing a part of myself because of things that have happened lately.
At any rate. If anyone has actually read this all the way through, thank you. And I promise, my next entry won't all be about me. ^_~
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