Balance Problems

I lose my balance hundreds of times per day while I stand.

First, my toes rise, then the balls of my feet as I start falling backward. Then I curl my toes and drive them into the floor while pulling my body forward using my back muscles to right myself. Yes, when I'm standing, this entire process happens probably about ten times per minute. It's exhausting. It overworks my body and gives me pain. It distracts me from everything. It's unnerving to constantly feel myself falling.

Wikipedia and Online PR

In protest of the proposed Stop Online Piracy Act (SOPA) and the Protect Intellectual Property Act (PIPA), US bills proposing to repress foreign websites that infringe on copyright (thus, Wikipedia and others believe, "infringes free expression"), Wikipedia has shut down for the day. Clicking a Wikipedia entry or searching for something on the home page will bring you to this message:

"Learn More" 

The purpose of this "blackout" is to inform the public about SOPA and PIPA and to galvanize the public to let the representatives of the bills know what they think.

If you click "Learn More," you will read about the huge discourse and awareness about the bills shared to the representatives, on social media, etc., (See: #SOPA on Twitter) and the impact the bills may have, if passed.

This inconveniences web users who in turn, learn about SOPA and PIPA and then, it seems, speak out against it, which is kind of cool. It's also a wise move for Wikipedia, I think, because they are proving that they understand the impact disabling information sharing can have. It's also a good PR move for the online encyclopedia because it is showing the public that it strongly values the freedom and openness of the internet.

Do you think the Wikipedia blackout and online pressure from the public will influence the United States House of Representatives and the Senate's decision on the bill?

Betty White's 90th Birthday

Betty White's 90th Birthday tonight on NBC celebrated her 60 years making people laugh on television. But did you know she is also a great dramatic actress?

In this scene, one of my favourites from Golden Girls, Betty White's character Rose speaks to her deceased husband Charlie on her first birthday without him. It's a very moving monologue.

What's your favourite Betty White scene?

My 200th Post!

I planned to write this a bunch of times, then each time realized that I had drafts Blogger was counting as posts. But this is the real deal. 200! I could cry, but I think I'll just write a retrospective post on my favourite posts so far. Why are these my favourites? I am particularly proud of my writing in these and enjoyed the rich discussion in comments.

So here they are, in chronological order from earliest to latest:

A Barbie with Cancer?

If I told you there was a mass-produced Barbie with cancer, what would you imagine it looks like?

There are campaigns online to encourage Barbie manufacturer Mattel to make this happen. I'm picturing a regular Barbie wearing a pink gown, not a bald Barbie with one breast. I'm picturing a Barbie "not letting cancer defeat me" by wearing lots of make up and high heels.

The Bachelor Cast and Producers -- My Messages for You

The new season of The Bachelor started tonight. I reluctantly watched part of with some people. Oh dear.

To all current, past and future Bachelors/Bachelorettes:

How difficult for you that you need this screening process to figure out which of these girls/guys you want to spend the rest of your life with. How convenient for you that she/he happens to be one of the contestants of your show.