Extraordinarily Ordinary

In my Composition II class, we're doing a project where we write a profile about a person. You can pick someone who is in the public eye often, or you can pick someone who is seemingly "normal." This project instantly made me thing of your average person. Everything about them seems normal or "ordinary" at first glance. However, if you really slow down and observe them, talk to their friends, or get to know them, they have so much more to offer to the world. They are extraordinary in their own way, they just don't flaunt it. I think I want to do my project over someone who is "extraordinarily ordinary."

I want to find someone who is humble, someone who doesn't realize how wonderful they are... A person who really and truly is focused on others rather than on themselves. It's truly inspiring to see someone like this. My best friend is like this, and I think it would be wonderful to meet more people like her. Have you ever met a person like this? Astonishing, isn't it?

Another ordinary blogger,
Shansie

cn u rd ths?

Chatspeak: Where do I even start? I could rant for pages and pages about this. It's unprofessional. It has it's place, but that place isn't in the public where it annoys the grammar-obsessed people of the world. I am proud to say that I am a member of this group of grammar-freaks.

I got my first cell phone for my 15th birthday. It was a Razr, and I was given a texting plan with it. I immediately texted my best friend and have been texting since. I personally don't see a problem with texting. Like anything else, it can be used or misused. I am not innocent of chatspeak. I admit that I often used chatspeak, and sometimes still use it, while texting. When you don't have a full keyboard, it can be a pain to type everything out. For example, if I wanted to ask my friend if she wanted to hang out tonight, I would say "hey, want to hang out tonite?" What did I change? It lacks capitalization and I changed "night" to "nite." Am I right in saying that it's fairly simple?

I was horrified by the awful disfigurement of the English language by those a few years younger than me, when I saw them using chatspeak on facebook, of all places. "hey wnt 2 hng out 2nt?" I can barely read it. Where are all the vowels? Apparently they are no longer important. Something else I see commonly? "ohemgee lyk ur crzy!!!1!!11!!! idk u!!1!" Once again, I have to read over these comments several times before I can decipher what it says.

People type out entire conversations like this. Sometimes, I even see this on discussion boards of a serious topic. You see well thought out comments with proper grammar and spelling, then you see a comment like "no way ur stupid" or "THAT'S WRONG." I don't even bother to read caps half the time, especially when they have these other issues.

What could be worse than caps or chatspeak? Sticky Caps. When someone types out "iKr ItS cRzY oHeMgEe!!11!" it simply drives me insane. That takes longer to type than simply typing "Oh my gosh, I know, right? It's crazy." The second option may not be proper grammar, but at least it looks semi-decent.

Don't take this wrong, younger generation; I'm not trying to be too condescending. I chatspeak too. I enjoy my unlimited texting, and I would rather text than talk on the phone. I probably spend too much time on facebook. However, you have two options: You can look educated, or you can look "kewl." Your choice.

ttfn,
Shansie

Thoughts on Blogging

Oftentimes, I've tried to start a blog. Years and years ago, it was out of pure boredom that I struck an interest in blogging. I was in the "above average" category in school and was rarely interested in the lower level subjects being taught in our schools. I viewed blogging as something to pass the time. It was something to take my mind off of the teasing I often endured as a "smart kid." The names were condescending and rarely that nice. However, I had found a few close friends who would often take up for me. I also found internet friends. These were people who could know my personality without a name; I never had to meet them or show my face. I could simply be me. I became known as "Shansie" on the sites I frequented, and felt like I liked the name better than my given name. I wasn't confident in the outside world, but the internet gave me a kind of escape.

My blogging dwindled with time. I simply didn't know what to write about. I didn't have enough real-world experience to write about my ventures, and I wasn't sure enough in myself to tell of my views on the world. For almost two years, I wrote nothing in any of my blogs.

Today, I deleted the vast majority of my old blogs. I wanted to erase the unsuccessful blogs and start fresh. This is my re-entrance to the blogging world. Take it as you will. Love it, hate it, or anywhere in-between. It is your choice. Keep in mind, you don't have to read it simply because it is here. That is your choice.

The "Spoon and Ladel" is a name derived from one of the sites I frequented when I was younger, and still do. One of the internet friends I found years ago is still one I find myself talking to often. She is wonderful and seems to cheer me up when I've had a rough day. Here's to you: The Ladel to my Spoon (Yes, I am aware of the misspelling of "Ladel." It was intentional.).

I dedicate this blog to anyone, in real life or on the internet, who has ever helped or encouraged me in any way. Specifically to my friends, parents, little brother, best friend, the parents of many of my friends, adopted uncles, Ladel & others, along with many more. You are all wonderful, and I don't know what I would have done without you in my life.

Sincerely,

Shansie