The Sunday Spin

In “The Shawshank Redemption,” one of my top three favorite movies of all time, Morgan Freeman states, “Get busy living, or get busy dying.” In the context of the movie, he was referring to the fact, that while he and his comrades were locked away, the world didn’t stop evolving or progressing: industrial advancements overwhelmed newly released convicts. Time stands still for nobody- that is a fact. Morgan Freeman’s (Red’s) insight does not only pertain to the characters in the movie, but rather everybody in any shape, form or creed. If we, as human beings are not adapting, progressing and striving, then we are “dying.”

Today is my birthday, so I feel entitled to talk about whatever I want (not like I don’t do that already). Anyway, today I look at my birthday as a day of self-reflection. In the past, my birthday was a day for me to get “as messed up as possible,” and have a fantastic excuse for myself and others. I look back at the past year of my life, and am astounded by how much has changed: especially my outlook. I’m not going to lie: it’s been a very rocky year. I’ve had the highest of highs (albeit artificial ones), and the lowest of lows-probably due to the artificial highs. I, my family, and my friends have been through a lot this year. And for that reason, I am so happy and grateful to be where I am today.

There are a few things that stick out in my mind as I look back on the past 365 days. I’ve learned that happiness is not something you arrive at, construct, or attain; happiness is available to each and every person on earth, right now! Close your eyes, let every worry, anxious thought and problem pass by- like a freight train blowing past your head. Take a few deep breaths and just listen to the sounds around you-listen intently. Right now I hear birds chirping, a wind chime clanging together, and the sound of leaves rustling. I am in the present moment. I’m not worried about what I’m going to do tonight, who may be calling my cell phone, or even if what I’m writing is a bunch of irrelevant bullshit that nobody will like. I am in the NOW, and when I am in the present moment I no longer fear, press or worry: for this reason, I try to stay grounded in the NOW as much as possible.

Another thing I really grasped this year, is the importance of love. Everybody needs love, and I am not exclusively talking about the sexual type of love (although I dig that too). I have a family that loves and supports me, and that love is mutual. I have a handful of friends that I can count on at any time, place, situation etc. Love is a reaffirmation of oneself in another: so choose wisely. Using this definition of love, there is one person that you must love ahead of everybody else: yourself. Self love is the most important thing in the world. If you don’t love yourself, how could you conceivably love another human being? I used to hate myself; I would let off the fasade of an arrogant, and confident young man. However, inside I was dying; I felt like a little boy trapped inside a man’s body. I was living a lie, living untrue to myself. Over the past year, I have come closer to finding Dan, and the closer I come the more I come to love him. The more I come to love myself, the more I am able to love and help others. If you have people in your life that are unsupportive, abusive, untrustworthy etc. GET RID OF THEM! Don’t let other people drag you down. Surround yourself with people that you know have your best interests in mind-that is the only way you can prosper and get closer to your true essence.

Finally, I have learned about the inner workings of my, and therefore, the human mind. I used to think that certain limitations were innately set upon me. I envisioned a net, or some type of boundary that would eventually stop me. On the outside I portrayed myself as “the man who could do anything.” But in my mind, I would always think to myself, “shit, you wouldn’t be able to do that,” or “you’ll never be able to accomplish that.” The human mind, body and spirit are incredibly intricate and fascinating mechanisms. I think that it’s in our nature for our minds to set limitations on what we believe we can do. The human will is “the faculty we use to make decisions and initiate actions.” However, I believe that most of us use our “will” completely wrong. Our will is supposed to propel us towards our next goal, not impede our progress. Of course rational thinking is important; you can’t just say, “hmm I want to be the next Brad Pitt and make that happen.” But, if you want to be an actor, then go after it. If that’s your dream, if you believe that to be your calling, don’t let anybody tell you differently (especially your own mind). The body will follow the mind-remember that. If you tell yourself that you are limited in some aspect or ability, then that belief will come to fruition. I beg of you to break down these barriers! Self-bondage is just that- you are “bound” by yourself; untangle yourself from negative thoughts, or notions of inferiority. If in your mind you believe that you can achieve something, or be something, then it is possible-the body and spirit will follow the mind. The second you tell yourself otherwise, it’s a wrap-a self-fulfilled prophecy of inevitable defeat/self sabotage will follow.

Love yourself, love others, stay in the moment, and erase any self doubt or limitations that you have set upon yourself. The possibilities are endless-don’t tell yourself you can’t do something or your aren’t smart enough, strong enough, good looking enough: that’s BULL SHIT. Go after it! Rise like a Phoenix from the ashes of self-bondage and find your truth, your inner self: I promise you’ll be happy when you do. Like Morgan Freeman said, “Get busy livin or get busy dyin.” Today, I choose life. Along with life comes love, peace, happiness and freedom. I hope everyone has a great Sunday and love to hear feedback, comments and of course hate mail. Until next time.

D. Spinelli

Will Widgets Replace Websites??

During the .com bubble people were buying up websites like they were pieces of real estate: and like the sub-prime mortgage security market, it inevitably imploded. Nowadays, websites are still teeming with activity – many of which cannot even be priced, because they are invaluable. However, these popular web pages are also cluttered with banner adds, pop-ups, etc. Plus, they’re just plainly annoying: a user has to navigate from page to page and constantly move back and forth between different links, and wait for them to load. For these reasons, I believe that widgets will soon replace websites as we have come to know them today. Widgets are constantly open and do not force a user to move back and forth between different pages. They are much easier to use, less time consuming and more aesthetically pleasing. Take Twitter, for example; When you log on to Twitter from a browser, you are forced to navigate the website and back and forth between followers and people following you. A Twitter widget would make life so much easier for the end user. It would stay securely open on your home screen and would save time and make life easier. Websites will die off, and widgets will become increasingly more useful. Thoughts?

-D. Spinelli

Tama – ‘botchi’

“I liked this when I first got it. It was fun and reminded me of being a kid again back when we all had tamagotchis. But ever since I loaded the newest update it’s been screwed up. It gives me notifications constantly! Telling me it’s hungry when I just fed it, or claiming its sad when it’s at 100% happiness. At this point it’s really just becoming a constant annoyance!”

– This is a review of the virtual pet Tamagotchi by Sonettic. I have also read a myriad of other reviews just like this one. Having a pet or buddy on your phone seems cool, right? I tried it out on my Android, and downloaded its version of the Tamagotchi (which has gotten over one million Downloads). The little pet was pretty cool for about three days, then, just like the comment above, it became nothing more than a nuisance. The thing is constantly hungry or not happy, and what am I supposed to do? I have to make this thing happy? I have my hands full with three dogs of my own. They are real, tangible and actually in need of food and water. I deleted the damn thing is less than three days, and do not have any regrets. What is it about this little weasel that people find appealing. I think it’s cool to have something living on your phone, but I think it’s even cooler if he’s just doing his own thing (i.e. feeding itself, and taking care of itself). To be perfectly candid, I don’t care about the well being of a Tamagotchi. My attitude is more laissez-faire. A creature living on my phone is cool as hell, but I don’t want to have to take care of him. I got a lot more important shit to worry about during the day, than cater to some virtual pest. I vividly remember the Tamagotchi craze back in the 90’s- everyone had those egg shaped critters on a key chain and loved them (at least kids did). However, I remember getting fed up with it after a few weeks. I threw the thing in the garbage and the fad soon fell off-predictable. Do users like taking care of a virtual pet? To users become nostalgic when they hear the word Ferby? What makes these pets entice downloads? Do users like taking care of them? Why do you think the original Tamagotchi’s and Ferbies fell off? Love to hear feedback.

Draw Something + Zynga: “Don’t Mix Like Two D**** and No B****, Find Yourself in Serious S***”

Although there may not have been any blood involved in the deal between Zynga and OMGPOP, there was surely a lot of money. Was it a prudent decision for Zynga to buy out a company with only one product? Even though Draw Something was a hit and had an enormous following, the game has turned out to be a total fad (I am tempted to break my Android whenever I see that pencil in the upper-left corner of my screen!!). Why did Zynga purchase the game for such an absurd amount of cash, and why didn’t they just copy the pictionary-esque game (like they usually do, i.e. ‘Tiny Tower’, which btw is much better than Dream Heights). It’s not like they lacked the resources to develop some kind of competitive product to Draw Something. Personally, I thought Draw Something was extremely cool (and definitely addicting), but then it just got downright annoying. In my mind it’s nothing more than a fad. This leads to the pivotal question of what apps, widgets etc. have staying power? Alternatively, which ones are fads that will simply fade away into cyber space. Was Zynga imprudent to purchase an a company that only had one application (for 200 million dollars)? Seems like a bad investment to me.

Please comment, thoughts/opinions always welcome. And remember to tune in for the ‘Rantarella Sunday Special’ at 8PM this Sunday. Happy Pressing!!