So, apparently, I'm a Smarty Pants...

Joshua and I went to Creegen's Irish Pub in NLR for date night (before we went to see WWE...my man knows that I love John Cena).  I tried a wine that was listed on their wine list.  Unusual for me because I hate wine.  If I wanted to drink rotten grape juice, I'd make it at home for cheap.  But, the way that this wine was described, it sounded pretty awesome.  So, I tried it...and it was awesome!!  I've never had wine and liked it, but I loved this one.  So, I decided to check out their website:  Middle Sister Wines

Each of their wines is a different personality...and, apparently, I'm a Smarty Pants.  Take the quiz and see which "Middle Sister" you are...

"Bosnia...they don't have roads, but they have Facebook."

I just recently (last night actually) saw the movie "The Social Network."  I was putting it off for a long time for 2 reasons:  1) I have a love/hate relationship with Facebook.  2) I loathe Brenda Song and dread watching her in anything.  Unfortunately, she will not have the same success as David Duchvony in breaking character stereotypes (David Duchvony is such an amazing actor that when you see him in other stuff, you see him as the character he is playing and not as "Fox Mulder."  Brenda Song will always be "London Tipton."  She will always be fake and annoying).

So, I watched it and I loved it.  I loved the story being told through the depositions of the lawsuits.  I loved that there were a lot of relatively unknown faces.  I was glad to see Jesse Eisenberg finally step out of his stereotypical role of sarcastic comedy into a sarcastic drama (obviously, sarcasm is his forte and what he's great at).  I was extremely impressed by Andrew Garfield.  In my opinion, he probably deserved an Oscar nod as much as Eisenberg (I haven't seen "The Kids Are All Right," but I can't imagine Mark Ruffalo doing a better job than Garfield). 

I was totally and completely unimpressed and annoyed by Justin Timberlake as Sean Parker, the founder of Napster.  I found it really ironic that JT played Sean Parker considering that Napster probably ripped JT off at one point or another (NSync or solo).  Basically, JT played himself...hence, not really acting, but just memorizing lines.  I wonder if it Garfield himself was actually annoyed with JT and not just Garfield's character...Fincher is such an amazing director, it was actually disappointing to see him cast JT.  But, if the real Sean Parker is that annoying, then maybe Fincher cast the right guy...

Now that my inner movie critic has had her say, I must say that watching this movie makes me want to fast from FB.  The circumstances surrounding it's founding are a little tragedic.  If Eisenberg played Zuckerberg accurately then he is the definition of a jerk (and other words that are unmentionable on a blog, at least for me)...and you don't want him to succeed at anything...so, you don't want to keep using Facebook.  He was a sad, pathetic, lonely, bitter, egotisitcal, pompous nerd.  And he used Facebook to make himself ridiculously rich and, relatively, powerful.  Somewhat thumbing his nose at all those jocks and popular kids that made fun of him his whole life.  You know what...that's usually what happens.  The nerds become the success stories.  But, the nerds usually get their revenge, learn their lesson, and then become happier, more productive, contributing members of society...realizing that they are now being the jerks that they hated their whole lives.  But, Zuckerberg is still a cocky, bitter, jerk (or at least the movie portrays him that way).  One line in the movie is, "You know, Mark, you're not an asshole, but you are trying really hard to be one." 

I think the more tragedic side of the "The Social Network" is the world-wide culture it has created.  Working with college students, I can defnitely say that this generation is a group of young people and students that have more than 500 friends on Facebook, but cannot have a face-to-face conversation with someone without appearing socially awkward or having a panic attack...or complaining that such conversation has to take place. 

Facebook has created a generation that would rather sit behind a computer and have a conversation with someone than to sit across a table to have a conversation with them.  Facebook has created a generation that cannot function without Facebook, using it as their primary means of communication with others (even over phone calls and emails).  The term "Facebook Me" has become part of our everyday conversations.  Young people and students play out their joys, fears, frustrations, and relationships with other people over their Facebook status.  Someone hurts your feelings and you're mad about it, just post a snide, sarcastic remark on Facebook...because that helps reconcile the situation (she says sarcastically!).  Though, it does say something to Facebook's credit that most employers now view their potential staff's Facebook pages to "see who they really are" before hiring them.  Kudos, Facebook...you have even the corporate world making you essential, no longer just "social" media.

My point:  I cannot change the pace at which the world evolves technologically.  I will still use Facebook (and Twitter) because of their place in our culture and society...and to work with college students is to work through Facebook.  I can only pray that I am a sufficient filter for my children that they learn that their Facebook page doesn't define who you are...what you choose to put on your Facebook page does.  Unfortunately, this is what people see when they look at you (not in whole, but in part).  I want to raise my children to be able to have a face-to-face conversation with people and enjoy the company of people.  I say this as somewhat a hypocrite as I do not, normally, enjoy the company of other people (what can I say, I'm a "loner").  But, it's not an excuse...God wants us to grow and change.  I can only be responsible for my little part of the world...and that is my family.  I can only pray that I can teach my children what their priorities in the world should be and how they should conduct themselves as productive members of this American society.