Two People, One Family, One Facebook Page?

Among the many things I found interesting about Sword Art Online, I found the marriage concept interesting. Players who got married in the game gained access to their spouses weaponry; they shared useful items in the game.

Anti-climactic, I know. How is that any different than couples sharing assets in real life? That's what I found interesting! The game was surprisingly realistic in that way. The idea of people joining together not only in real life but in their virtual lives is interesting.

I recently came across a Mashable article about people combining their virtual worlds - not through online games - through social media. It's apparently a growing trend for couples to blog together, have joint Instagram accounts, etc. However, some people are not so open to that concept.

No one wants to be Scumbag Steve and Stacy...

Personally, I have mixed feelings about this. 

On the one hand, it's kind of sweet that couples want to share a typically private part of their lives with each other. (I mean, they do that in every other form of life, right?) Also, as a friend of newlyweds, a joint social network is a great way of watching a real-life love story unfold.

On the other hand, it is a little creepy. Perhaps it's unsettling because it is so uncommon, but the idea of a joint social network sounds like a couple smothering each other. It's a subtle sign that these two individuals no long exist; there is only "the couple". It's disconcerting to friends who were there before "the couple" existed.

How much do you want to bet DJ Jazzy Jeff doesn't hang around as much anymore?

What's the proper etiquette for this? Is it too soon to join accounts if you're not married? If the relationship doesn't work out, what happens then? Is it something to put in a prenup? This is far too complicated for me.

Social media is an extension of yourself, of sorts. It often represents the way you want others to see you. (Whether accurate or not.) I suppose sharing an online medium with a romantic partner is a way of publicizing the way you want others to perceive your relationship... No different than being in a public space in the real world...

What do you think? Should couples share social networks?

Share your thoughts on Facebook.  

The Online Fashionista

Random: I've decided I want to be more active on Polyvore. Polyvore, "the web's largest fashion community", is a great way to express your fashion/beauty creativity online.

First, I feel I should have more of an online presence. For a person with a degree in Social Computing Informatics, I'm not exactly making anyone's Top 10 List of Pinners to Follow, etc...

Second, I need a creative outlet to keep me from going insane from everyday monotony. In high school, I spent hours watching E! or The Style Network. I developed a great sense of style; the only problem is...

Of course, you can look good for less, but it's not as fun!

I got the idea to take a stab at becoming notable on Polyvore. Making sets and collections is fun anyway, and I could put a little effort into it.

So far, I have participated in a couple of contests:

And joined a group:

I've read a little on the subject, and it seems popularity really relies on participation. So I suppose it's time I get started!

For more of my insights on random things (on & offline),

Like Very Geeky Girl on Facebook

(Oh! And check out my sets & collections on Polyvore!!!)

The Budget-Conscious Shopaholic

When you've had a rough day, nothing feels better than shopping! Hard day at work? A pair of new shoes will take care of that! Love sick? Dr. Alexander McQueen and Nurse Chanel have just the thing for you! A new wardrobe can instantly make you feel better.

See how happy they look? Better than Xanex.

One problem: It is insanely expensive!!!

Shopping addiction is an expensive affliction! A few bad days can put you in serious debt if you're not careful. But I have a solution!!!

For those unfamiliar, Pinterest is a pin-board style photo-sharing website that links to blogs and websites. (A good amount of useful information is shared there, too.)

My Pinterest account currently has 22 boards and over 3,300 pins. One of the boards is called: "OMG! Shoes." Yes, I created a separate blog solely (get it?) for shoes. It's merely one of the blogs I use to dream of a better tomorrow where I actually own or have visited the things and places I've pinned.

I'm no shopaholic, but it makes a bad day a little better to nice (expensive) things. Of course it would be infinitely better to own these things, but until I become a billionaire I'll work with what I have.

P.S. Pinning clothes and outfits is a great way to discover your sense of style.

Whoever said money can't buy happiness simply didn't know where to go shopping. -- Bo Derek

Don't You Agree? Share your thoughts on Facebook & Feel free to follow me on Pinterest!!! 

Social Media Anxiety Disorder & You

Snow is on the ground. The trees are bare. The wind chills to the bone. There is no laughing and playing in the summer sun; there is only a heated blanket, Netflix, and your many social networks. You feel depressed.

Is it S.A.D. (Seasonal Affective Disorder)? Or is it S.M.A.D.???

As you may recall from a previous post the business magazine, Forbes, has recently begun focusing on social media. (As well they should now that it is a booming industry.) Well, I came across this startling article on New Year's Day: 3 Reasons to Quit Social Media in 2013

The last two reasons came as no surprise, but the first one struck me. It spoke of a mood condition affecting many social media users these days - Social Media Anxiety Disorder.

Social Media Anxiety Disorder & You!

The Fall term has finally ended, and Jimmy finished his first semester of college with a nice 3.45 G.P.A. Quite the achievement! He decides to leave campus and get some much needed R&R with his parents in Mitchell, South Dakota (his hometown). While he catches up on the past season of The Walking Dead and Breaking Bad, he has Facebook up in another tab.

On Facebook, he discovers his dorm roommate is in Guatemala doing charity work. His ex-girlfriend has her big time internship on LinkedIn. Tons of his old friends and classmates are posting pics of their tropical vacation tans on Instagram. Meanwhile, Jimmy tweets: "Dexter is crazy!!!"

He suddenly feels like an unremarkable, lazy, worthless college brat who is wasting his life.

I'm sure everyone has felt like Jimmy at one point or another. You've accomplished some great things, but they've all been overshadowed by the accomplishments of your Facebook friends. Leaving you to feel like your accomplishments are minuscule in comparison and the effort you put in to achieve what you have isn't good enough.

It's a concept in Psychology known as social comparison. In many ways, our self esteem is built from the esteem we have for others. If you're the only kid in class with an 'A', you feel great! Likewise, if you're the only kid in class without an 'A', you feel like an idiot.

Social media plays a huge part because of the number of people you're constantly comparing yourself to on a daily basis. Childhood chums, high school friends, your current co-workers all posting about major happenings in their lives makes you wonder what has been happening in yours. And, unless you've had some major accomplishment recently, (which, let's face it, isn't extremely often for normal people) you feel bad.

Congrats, Patrice! You know what I did today? I made a grilled cheese sandwich. Take that!!!

Yeah, it sucks! But is it a reason to quit social media this year?

What do you think?

Share your thoughts at www.facebook.com/VeryGeekyGirl 

   

Don't Lie On Your Resume

A few months ago, one lucky lady landed my dream job! She got hired as a Social Media Director of The University of Michigan; a $100,000/year job to direct the social media (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, etc.) of a major university! With all the stuff going on in Ann Arbor on a daily basis, the material writes itself and you can't beat the salary!

How could anyone do anything to screw this up???

Well, it was over before it began. Ms. Jordan Miller - aka the luckiest girl in the world - lied about her education on her resume. After some investigation, it was pointed out that one must graduate from the Journalism degree program at Colombia College Chicago to have received a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism from Colombia College Chicago.

The selection process for this job was apparently intense. How intense? The runner-up had a Facebook campaign to get this job! And she obviously still didn't get it. It's such a shame Miller lied on her resume. Amid the scandal, she has resigned from the best job ever.

(My theory is that she "jumped before she was pushed".)

Situations like this, reinforce the iron-clad rule: Don't Lie On Your Resume!

They always find out. Sooner or later, you're gonna get called into the bosses office and know exactly why they're firing you. Whether you work for several months or several decades, someone will found out and you will likely be axed for it.