Social Media

People pass by the Darulaman Palace in Kabul, Afghanistan, Sunday, Nov. 29, 2009. (AP Photo/Alexandre Meneghini)

Said like Seinfield, "What is ... the deal ... with Social ... Media?" Why are we all so addicted to websites like Facebook and Twitter? It may just be in my geography of people, but almost everyone I know has 3-10 social media sites! And we use them daily, if not dozens of times daily. Why? Why do we feel the need to post any message to the world? Why am I writing this blog? What does one accomplish by posting thoughts, photos and videos to the world wide web?

My english teachers will cringe at the progression of this post, as it follows no coherent guidelines for a proper written piece, but I think at least one of my english teachers from high school follows me on Facebook, so take that. I use Facebook and Twitter. Hi, my name is Marc and I'm addicted to Facebook and Twitter. Not really, I've toned it down in the past few weeks, have you noticed? Didn't think so. I use the Book of the Face and Tweeter for business, but only Blackwell Photography business. I don't promote my little side website business and/or painting excursion on them, but that's a whole nother post. I try to entertain the thousands of viewers watching our photography business thrive. They are hungry for cool images and I find FB and Twitter to be an outlet to generate creative content on. I get that purpose, or say you're a writer, comedian, or run another small business - it's great for reaching new, existing and past customers. You almsot don't need e-mail!

But what about personal ... indulgences of social media for ... whatever purpose? Is it boredom? loneliness, craziness, depression or entertainment ... all these things? I stutter, thinking I started another blog with a question I don't have the answer too. I'm as guilty as those I criticize. I post pictures of my daughter. I don't know who the hell follows me, some like 1700 on Facebook alone call me their friend. I ask political questions to rile people up and share links to friend's cool life and all that fun stuff. But why?

I guess my point is, I barely have enough time to work, survive, give proper attentive attention to my daughter, my wife, and my fetus baby - why would I take time out of my day to share something personal with people I don't even know? Or why would I scroll down and down and down and read what people had for lunch? I do it all the time. I'm doing it right now? Everyone uses it. Some people abuse it.

I think it's a great business tool. When you have something to promote, like a movie or an album coming out, having a large social media database is a wonderful and effective tool. One must learn the ways of the common buyer/website user, and accommodate to their user ship and what not ... (again, another separate post) ... that's all fine. When one starts to post pictures of your hamburger and fries (guilty) and posting that you just took an amazing poo, it goes a little too far. I'm trying to come back to reality, and enjoy more time with my family and friends. What do you think?

Will Social Media fizzle out in time? If so, how soon? How often are you on a blog, or Twitter like site? How do you think Social Media has affected you and your friends around you? I'd love to hear your thoughts!

Cheers,
-marc

Zoe is 9 Months Old!

Holy cow!  Zoe has been around for 9 months!  Crazy, huh?  And for half of that time, she was in my care!  My mom would be so proud.  Not only have I kept myself alive and healthy for the last 9 months, I've also kept another human alive and healthy!  :)  Of course, I had a little help ... like, from Z's mom, and our friends, BUT I DID MOST OF IT!! ;) Haha, just joking.  I do understand what it means when they say "It takes a village to raise a child".  Our village of friends have saved our butts several times over, and we appreciate each and every single one of you who helps and supports our little family. 

Today we're taking ZB to the Doctor, which she hasn't been since her 6 month checkup.  Convenient that her 9 month is on her actual birthday! 

Here's a little video of videos from June!  Hope you guys enjoy.



Stay tuned here and Facebook/Twitter for exciting news coming from our family in August!  This is the first place to mention any such idea ... so feel special!  You'll know a lot more later.

Peace,
-marc

We Kept Her Alive For 6 Months!

Happy 6 Month Birth Day Zoe Marcia Blackwell! 

I keep waiting for someone, anyone, like a guy in a Tuxedo with a big million dollar check and a camera crew to knock on our door and yell "Congratulations!  You've kept your daughter alive for 6 months!"  But so far ... no knock.

The above picture is Zoe today, celebrating her 6 month birth day by getting an ice blended cherry mocha latte from Starbucks.  Mmmm buddy, did she like it!  The picture below is Zoe Toes in her crib, which is now lowered because someone was found standing up in it.  And she likes her new little low prison.  It's perfect for individual play time because we know she's safe.  Today I found her like this, just chillin. 

And how would this blog post be complete without an approved image of Mama and Baby!  When Zoe got her coffee drink this afternoon we went to Mom's work to see her.  This kid, Zoe, stops people in their steps.  Random strangers will tell us how beautiful she is... and she smiles and coos her thanks.

And a fun video from the Mac Store today when Zoe and our friends went to get eye brows threaded.  That video coming soon.  ;) 

Alright!  Have a good one!

Peace,

-marc

Celebrating Stay-At-Home Fatherood!

Quick!  Zoe is going to sleep.  That means I have 45 minutes to an hour and a half to do whatever what I want!  Hmm...should I work?  Play XBox before the wife gets home?  Write a blog?

I'll write a blog!

Welcome to Wednesday!  Hump day.  And what a hump day it is.  Tomorrow is Zoe Toe's 5th Birthmonth!  You know those posts include a lot of pictures and videos.  :)  We've got some great ones you haven't seen yet. 

Ok...so far this blog is a flop.

Yesterday's blog, however, was apparently a hit.  I don't wanna go all high school on everyone, but when you say the word "friend" people start thinking "oh, is he talking about me? or so and so?"  Who cares?  Friends come and friends go.  My door is always open to anyone I've ever called a friend and I will always consider YOU a friend no matter how much time lapses between our visits. 

That being said, a friend of mine sent an article my way that I found interesting.  An interesting quote: "I think they [Dads] should also be encouraged to stay home with the kids. In fact, we should celebrate it. In the grand sweep of American lifestyle choices, stay-at-home fatherhood is possibly the only one that doesn’t get eulogized in our popular culture. I want to see the Bachelorette questioning her suitors on how many years they’d be willing to set aside for full-time childraising. I want a movie in which Matt Damon stays home while Beyoncé goes out to work. He can capture an escaped terrorist during the hours when the kids are in preschool."

And another: "But I’m seeing a long road ahead in which women are more and more likely to be the primary wage-earner in a family. Already, nearly a quarter of wives make more money than their husbands. And husbands are certainly taking more responsibility for chores and childcare than they did back in the day. But men who are the primary caregivers — out of choice or because they’re unemployed — are often looked upon as losers.
It would seem to me that a country that spent so many generations celebrating the stay-at-home housewife could work up a little enthusiasm for the full-time dad. Just saying."

I definitely don't consider myself a loser.  The exact opposite, I think I'm awesome!  And I'm not unemployed.  But I get the point that a lot of working class, older men do look at stay at home dads as "losers".  I've felt that from men in suits walking past me as I push a stroller in sweats.  It's just judgmental a-holes who I'm glad I don't work for (or look like) anyway!  Who cares what they think?

 You can read the entire article/conversation here.  Thanks for the lead, David!

I think this blog came out alright in the end.  Copying and pasting a couple paragraphs in the middle certainly did help a little! 

Have a good one!
-marc

p.s. the picture has absolutely nothing to do with the post ... but it's such a cool picture, don'tchya think?

Baby! OH NO!

A lot changes when you have a baby.  Good, and ... well, tough.  One of the things my wife and I have noticed is that our phones ring a lot less. 

I suspect that a lot of our friends just don't know how to handle the fact that we have a baby.  It almost scares them, I think.  Like, if they come over or hang out they'll be forced to change a diaper or something.  I know that's not it, but I'm really interested in why this happens. 

We're the first in our slowly shrinking circle of friends to have a babe - and it's been a really hard adjustment on us, so I  can kind of imagine what's it like for my friends.  My assumption is that their assumptions have led them the idea that we can't hang out anymore, for whatever reason.  Maybe they think we're tied down every single second of the day, or that we never want to leave the house for safety reasons, or that having a child prevents us from doing anything but children things. So not true!!

Maybe getting married has something to do with it too, as we are the first in our friend group to tie the knot.  Love scares some people.

I dunno, maybe our "friends" just suck.

Just because someone has a baby does not mean they've lost the ability to have fun.  Or be normal.  Or even go out!  Stacey and I are still Stacey and Marc.  We're still the same fun loving, spontaneous crazy persons we've always been.  We just have a mini-me hangin' out all the time.  And you think, true friends would be really excited to have another mini version of yourself around, right?

A lot of our friends have been great, awesome, and more than we could ever ask for.  The love that they show towards Zoe and us is astounding and beautiful.  It's fun to watch our friends interact with our daughter, and they love watching her grow up!  Some have offered to babysit at the drop of a hat, others will invite us to "family friendly" events, and more than most remind us on a daily basis that they are here for us. 

I guess, like so often in life I'm learning, you weed out certain people at certain times.  And it's sad, because it's ignorance that leads to these specific falling outs.  But it's also a good thing.  Survival of the fittest...friend edition.

I barely get to see my wife these days ... a few hours after work and on the weekends.  I hardly have time for the ones I love.  I'm not going to waste time on those who aren't cool with the FACT that my WIFE and I have a BABY. 

Peace,
-marc

p.s. I know friendship is a two way street.  There is a natural progression to these kind of closures on relationships.  I'm busy - they're busy - we're all busy.  But the true friends have stuck around.