Brown Bag luncheon

The brown bag lunch is a popular tool I have come into contact with in college. They seem to be most useful to people on the go, those who need to receive information while still being able to multitask, in this case by eating lunch at the same time. I think brown bag lunches are great for lectures, presentations, and performances. Every semester the dance department at SMU puts on a Brown Bag dance series with student choreographed pieces, and we perform them for an entire school/work week in the lobby our the arts building. The shows are free and open to the public, and I think they are a great tool for community events. The shows are only an hour long during the lunch hour, making it easy for working people or busy people to get a break from their routine without taking too much time out of their day. We always have a unique audience of middle schoolers, stay at home moms with their kids, parents, students, faculty, and seniors. Most of the people know someone in the show, but there are a surprising number of people I have met who keep coming because they like to see the new dances each semester. Every show has a different feel depending on the type of choreography or music selections, but generally there is something that appeals to everyone. Although I have not yet choreographed a piece, I have danced in several pieces, including those shown below.

C. P. Snow

“The newest computer can merely compound, at speed, the oldest problem in the relations between human beings, and in the end the communicator will be confronted with the old problem, of what to say and how to say it.” This quote comes from the U.S. broadcast journalist Edward Murrow; in it, he seems to suggest that no matter how advanced technology or science becomes, people still have to figure out how to communicate with each another. I think this is a reasonable conclusion because at the root of all human interaction is the need to communicate and understand others, as the basis of most problem-solving involves an element of compromise or moderation between opposing forces. These days, we have a multitude of means for communication, which is why the means are not really the issue anymore-it's the end that's a problem. It's people. We are losing our ability to communicate with those who are different than us- either because we are constantly trying to be politically correct and avoid offending anyone, or because we think our stance, position, or way of doing things is better than anyone else's. I recently wrote a scholarship essay based on a little physicist/novelist by the name of C.P. Snow. He delivered a famous lecture about the “Two Cultures,” in which he argued society was divided between the scientific and literary communities, or the two cultures. He also argued that until each side could gain an understanding of the other, neither realm would advance. This is something which I still consider a problem in our society; however, I think it exists in much narrower communities as well. Snow claimed that “in our society we have lost even the pretence of a common culture. Persons educated with the greatest intensity […] can no longer communicate with each other on the plane of their major intellectual concern. It is making it difficult or impossible for us to take good action." This is still very true; for instance, when two departments of an ad agency (ie:the age-old creatives vs. the suits) are trying to come to an agreement, neither side will be willing to budge on their stance if they look past what the other is saying and don't see the benefit of a compromise. This attitude puts horse blinders on us, in that we only pay attention to exactly what affects us and ignore what happens in the world outside us.

I can't watch food network anymore!

My new obsession with the Food Network is becoming more of a problem than a pastime now. Every time I start watching any show on that channel, I get hungry for whatever the chefs are making. Usually I don't even know what half the ingredients are, but they look delicious and after watching it never fails that I'm inspired to cook something. I think genres of television shows have this sort of advertising effect on viewers, in that they can excite you to take an interest in whatever industry the show is centered around. The kinds of shows we create can have this same impact; it is like an unexpected place to advertise or promote certain occupations or vocations. For instance, you don't have to think too hard to name some popular shows about the medical field; I can think of E.R., Grey's Anatomy, House, Scrubs, Private Practice, Nip/Tuck, and Dr. 90210-just to name a few. In addition to medicine, we as a society seem to be obsessed with law and lawyers as well; there are now about twelve different versions of Law and Order. I have to wonder whether these shows inspire people to seek those same career paths because of what they see on TV. In one sense this could be a good thing because we need things like health care professionals, but on the other hand people might also be pursuing career options because of the glamorous and heroic triumphs of the shows they see. If this turned out to be true in some sense, that people are in fact influenced by the industries they see promoted on television, then maybe we could learn to use our advertising powers for good. Who knows, eventually there could be more shows like Extreme Home Makeover, that inspire people to do things like help others?!?Dare to dream!

stream of consciousness

candy, heart, valentine, red, blood, needle, shot, glass, sea, salt, pepper, spice, girl, bow, ribbon, satin, curtain, window, light, God, life, let go, heavy heart, trapped, cage, bunny, Easter, egg, pastel, greasy, pizza, pepperoni, salivate, dog, loyal, trust, fund, economy, yikes, apprehension, falling, gravity, John Mayer, future husband, engagement, ring, cake, stale, crusty, dusty, allergy, cat, whisker, whiskey, burn, bridge, carry, hope, have to.

I just wanted to see where my mind would take me with a little stream of consciousness/word association/divergent thinking activity. Looking back on the series of words I formulated, I can tell that my mood and the events I dealt with throughout my day certainly influenced where my mind went. It is difficult to objectively look at one word and determine what comes to mind without being biased toward a word that you relate strongly to. Perhaps even when you let your mind wander as freely as possible, it still flows in the best direction for you to let out your stress, fears, and anxiety. It is therapeutic because your mind allows you to get out whatever you have been keeping in.

water, water everywhere

So the world is 3/4 water. We need water to live; we drink it, clean with it, bathe in it. In fact, dirty water is the number one means of spreading disease in impoverished nations. Beyond the survival aspect of water, we love to swim in it, at least people who can swim or wear floaties usually love to swim. People flock to pools, lakes, and beaches to vacation. Still, our relationship with water is based predominantly on convenience; it is certainly not unconditional. We don't mind being soaking wet when it is on our terms, like if we have a bathing suit on and want to go swimming. However, if it is raining and we don't have an umbrella, then we don't really feel the desire to get wet. Kinda selfish. I mean it's a similar scenario, but we only like water when we want it. During a drought, we love it. During a flood, not so much. It is our life force, but it only takes one rainy day on a long awaited vacation to be on bad terms with water. The first picture above is from a past family vacation to Ft. Walton beach, where my family went religiously for about five summers. This was taken before a big storm one late afternoon, and as much as I love the feeling of sand right after it rains, I was pissed taking this picture from our hotel balcony. The second picture is from a vacation to Aruba I took last summer, which was-if you can believe it-my first time traveling outside of the country (not bad for a first trip right?!?) Anyway, this is just one of the postcard perfect beaches I got to romp around on; in this instance water was my source of tranquility and joy, at least for one week out of my year.

birthday cake

So, today I celebrated my 20th birthday. So now not only can I not buy my own drinks, but I am also no longer a young, vivacious teenager. Although I did not eat any birthday cake this year, I definitely ate... way too much. With the exception of this year, I have enjoyed a multitude of delicious, decorative, and calorically dense cakes each year for my birthday. This is a common celebratory practice on birthdays, at least in the US. Even babies get a little cake for their birthday, which I don't know if that is healthy or not, but I do know from my first birthday onward I had a face full of frosting and sprinkles each year. With the way the population is growing, it makes me think about the staggering amount of cake we produce and consume annually. The cake industry is one I don't tend to think about, or at least I try to keep from thinking about, until my own birthday or someone else's I know rolls around. Grocery stores and bakeries must bank on cake batter, icing, and those dingy candles. It doesn't cost a whole lot to make your own Betty Crocker delight, but those sales have to stack up with all the birthdays celebrated year-round. Furthermore, if you want a really nice cake from a specialty bakery, it doesn't run cheap. Birthdays, like doctors and funeral homes, are a constant fuel to the economy because people are always sick, will eventually die, and can not avoid a birthday-no matter how desperately you may try. Birthday cake is often despised at the work place because co-workers are always having birthdays, and you don't want to look like the prick who won't eat a piece of cake; at the same time, this is why dieting in America is so difficult! Everything we do to socialize and connect with people involves food! Anyway, back to cake: we spend a relatively large amount of money on birthday cake for our friends and family. According to partyworks.com, most bakers sell their cakes for three to four times as much as it costs to make. Still, it's a tradition that isn't going to cease because of its frivolous expense or contribution to obesity, and recently I have seen cake makers on Food Network that design some cakes that are serious works of art. The really intricate cakes they show involve creativity, artistry, and architectural skill. I found some pics of a few of my favorites.

I'm pooped

Every year, I think at least three different studies come out with breaking news about people being sleep deprived. This is clearly nothing new, so let's get back in the lab to find a cure for something, please. What I don't understand is why if everyone is so tired, we don't do something about it. I think Spain got it right, with that siesta thing every afternoon; these days, adults don't recognize the value of a little nappy nap in the middle of the day. Napping is something that is not so cool in kindergarten, but would be great if implemented in the work place. The reason nap time is unsuccessful for young children is because those cots absolutely suck, and no one can expect you to fall asleep with twenty other people right next to you watching you sleep. However, if there was a movement to bring back the nap for adults, I think it could be successful. All it would take are some bunk beds and designated napping schedules so that employees can sleep without being disturbed by non-nappers. By mid-afternoon, I know I'm wiped out and my productivity level starts to dwindle, but when I get the chance to nap, I wake refreshed and have enough energy to finish out the day. If adults had the freedom to do this, not only would they be able to round out the end of their work day with a good attitude, but they could also use that extra energy in their evening routine with kids and family responsibilities. Moms could run carpool and cook without being grouchy, and dads could come home from a long day at work with the stamina to do more than open a beer and watch TV. This idea sounds great in theory, but I have strong doubts that America would ever implement such a thing. Why? Because we are America, and we don't get ahead by taking naps...but maybe we could. Maybe instead of working ourselves to the bone, we could accomplish more with less time and energy. It's good economic principle; use the least amount of resources, to get the maximum results.



I love The Office and think this clip is hilarious simply because it is from The Office. However, towards the end, at about four-ish minutes, the value of a nap is discovered! Kelly chooses napping as the theme of her birthday party. While her options for birthday themes were not exactly top knotch, she still chooses napping, showing it has significant value for working adults.

Bacteria...eww

Bacteria has such a negative, nasty connotation. When I hear bacteria, I immediately think of germs, sneezing, green goo, and those high school biology videos you see that show a million little bacteria multiplying and swimming around under a microscope. I think of furry little gremlin-like germs hopping inside and having a party like on the Mucinex commercials; those commercials tend to make germs look more obese than disease-carrying. I think it is safe to say that the public perception of bacteria is not a positive one. I mean it does feel great to cloud the air with Lysol, or vigorously scrub some Scrubbing Bubbles into your bathtub, and even to douse yourself in Purell, because afterwards you feel pretty clean. It feels like a real accomplishment to have rid yourself of 99.9% of all that ungodly bacteria. In reality, though, sometimes bacteria helps us out. The drug penicillin was made out of mold, which is sort of bacteria, or close enough for the purpose of my blog. Even our own immune systems can't function or protect us properly without enough of certain bacteria in our bodies. Not to mention, the delicious food, yogurt, is made out of milk and two special bacteria. In case you are wondering exactly what those bacteria include, it is the streptococcus thermophilus and lactobacillus bulgaricus- compliments of "Wikianswers." So a little bacteria is actually good for us, but I would still Purell before every meal.

loyalty

When people find something that works in life, they tend to stick with it. This is especially true in brands. It's brand loyalty, and everyone is loyal to some extent. When a customer's preferred brand is more expensive than other similar brands of the same product, most shoppers still mindlessly pick up the brand they are used to. Oftentimes, people remain loyal for years because their parents used the same product while they were growing up, so there is something natural and homey about that particular brand. My first thought of being brand loyal is that the general public is just a sucker for advertising and the prestige of a brand name. However, on a more moral level, there is something noble about a person remaining loyal to a particular brand or product. The pressures of life don't always make it easy to stay dedicated to one person, thing, or idea. With the stress of building a career, let alone getting a job, we sometimes have to put ourselves first in order to climb the corporate ladder; the saying about stepping on the small people to get where you are didn't come out of nowhere. Politics and political views, especially in this generation, are becoming almost a trend, like it's cool to support a candidate-any candidate-just because everyone else seems to have such a strong opinion. However, our views often change of political figures, or any famous figure, based on their actions or opinions. We can hardly say we are loyal to certain celebrities or actors because as soon as an icon we used to like turns into a drugged out lesbian or keeps their bong next to their Olympic medals, we turn our back on them. It is exceptionally hard to remain loyal to people for a long time because people do things that hurt us or we disagree with, and our view of that person is altered. Of course there are certain people, usually family and close friends, that we stay loyal to because they reciprocate the same loyalty to us. In a world of changing loyalties, it is funny that we remain set on a brand of laundry detergent or cars, but it is because brands value our loyalty and never let us down. As long as we always get the same product we are used to, there is no disappointment, and therefore, no reason to find ourselves a new brand.

Minis!

As a culture, we tend to be drawn to things that are miniaturized. Once we become acquainted with the regular size of any certain item, we like it even better when it is released in a newer, much smaller form. Food is one huge genre of items we like to see shrunken down; it started with individual, "fun size" bags of candy, which progressed into the empire of M&M's Minis, tiny Ritz crackers, mini muffins, and the infamous 100 Calorie snack pack. The 100 Calorie pack has gone above and beyond making little bitty chips, pretzels, cookies, and crackers, and they are a hit. Let's not forget the Mini Cooper-a great automobile, compressed to take up only half a parking spot. Another thing we love to see minis of are pets; who doesn't love any dog breed that begins with "miniature...,"mini horses, or dwarf hamsters. Yet another area we miniaturize are toiletries; travellers love to buy baby sized toothpaste, shampoo, and shaving cream. I have even been given a set of mini office supplies once as a gift; it was from my grandparents, and next year I just asked for the fifteen dollar check. My set included a little stapler, bite sized highlighters, and a foldable ruler that must have been used by ants. The funny thing about mini products, is that usually they cost more than a normal sized version. Why does a dollop of toothpaste cost almost as much as the entire tube? Is it because you are paying for convenience? Or are we just paying for the appeal of a cuter, smaller product? Recently, Burger King re-launched its mini burgers, which they introduced first in 1987. The first commercial is more about the fun aspect of having multiple, little burgers, rather than the sheer cuteness of the food. However, the latest commercial (not yet available on YouTube) definitely focuses on the cuteness of the minis, as practically the whole commercial is a bunch of girls gawking over the little bitty burgers.

Intertextuality

This is a spot done by Wieden+Kennedy for Coca-Cola in 2008; the spot is called "Jinx" and first aired in February for the Superbowl. The premise of the ad is that two opposing forces, the Democratic and Republican parties, learn to put their differences aside and bond over a Coke. I think it is a clear example of vertical intertextuality because it connects the genre of advertising with the genre of politics. Both the characters in the ad are prominent political figures in the U.S., but without any knowledge or understanding of American politics, this ad would not make sense. Furthermore, the respective parties are identified by either a blue or red tie, which differentiates their political stances; this would not have any meaning to the viewer unless he or she was knowledgeable about characteristics of each party. I am not completely certain, but I am inclined to believe that the pop culture phrase "jinx" used in the beginning of the ad is also an example of tertiary intertextuality. Tertiary intertextuality comes from connections that are either personal or public commentary on cultural texts. I think "jinx" would be an example of this because it is, or at least was a few years ago, a well-known phrase used mostly by kids whenever another kid said the same thing at the same time; the first person to say "jinx," commonly followed by "pinch, poke, you owe me a Coke," is the winner, and the other person can't speak until they follow through with that Coke. Because this is a reference to pop culture in America, and is knowledge you become aware of from word of mouth in the general public, I believe it is a tertiary intertextual connection. Overall, I think this ad in rather endearing, and the company aired it at the perfect time during an election year when political tensions usually run high.

I first found the ad on Wieden+Kennedy's website but was unable to embed that video into the blog; for more info on this spot, go to http://www.wk.com/#/works/1095/.

Is a BFA worth it?

I draw the short straw every time;

circumstances change, but it resolves the same.

There’s always an excuse; politics aren’t only in the news.

I know life’s not fair, but for some it’s fairer;

I just wish I knew their secret.

Then the cards could stack in my favor,

and maybe a girl could catch a break.

Another day is just another dance

despite your heart, it’s disappointing.

It’s not effort, but attitude, that reaps reward;

and because every Meadow is not so open,

my back-up plan is my only plan now.

Macaroni Art

Pasta is a very under-rated food in regards to its artistic prospects. It comes in a wide variety of shapes and sizes; it is available in the typical angel hair, bow tie, and penne, but also in the many cartoon stylings of Kraft macaroni. Kraft has really capitalized on, and some might even say exploited, the dynamic shaping ability of pasta. Not only have they created macaroni noodles shaped like characters from Scooby-Doo, Spongebob Squarepants, and Spiderman, but they also created some of the most intricate and detailed noodle designs. Every themed box of macaroni has a holistic assortment of shapes or characters, so kids never get bored guessing what they are eating. For example, my brother went through about a three year period when he would only eat Kraft macaroni with the Scooby-Doo shapes, and in that box, you can find Scooby shapes, some dog tags, a mystery machine or two, and even little Scooby snacks. The shapes themselves are impressive, but what you can do with uncooked macaroni has opened up a world of possibility for kindergarten and elementary school teachers. I mean who has gone through the public school system and not made some macaroni art? For some reason, gluing on hard, dried noodles is much more entertaining than gluing on construction paper or googly eyes. Uncooked macaroni can also be used in noise makers (inside for functionality or outside for aesthetic purposes), as placeholders in BINGO (they are much more appealing than lima beans or plastic chips), or in jewelry making activities (they fit nicely on string of all widths). Way to go for pasta though, that's one food that really should be commended for all of its contributions to society, in and out of the kitchen. Pasta has crossed some boundaries, and it is no longer restricted to the boiling pot of water for plain spaghetti. Pasta offers people a choice, as many restaurants have adopted the popular "Create Your Own Pasta" option to their menus. Additionally, it has become a great tool of artistic leverage in the classroom. It is often ignored, but I think pasta has been sold a pretty amazing capacity. As long as there are cartoons and kindergarteners, I don't think pasta is going anywhere.

Special Skills

As a dancer or actress, you are always told to have some "special skills" on your resume; professionals in "the biz" make it clear that it doesn't matter what these skills are, but you should have at least three at the bottom of your resume. Special skills can be things like rollerblading, gymnastics, accents, basket weaving, stilt-walking, and so on. The purpose is really just to make you stand out when you go to an audition and let the casting people know that you can bring something unique to their production. However, special skills are becoming a more useful tool for any profession these days; you can make a career on some relatively useless skills. For example, there are people who get hired as "professional organizers," and their job is to organize...professionally...and someone pays them. Also, there is the much sought-after "personal shopper;" I mean I don't know anyone who is or knows of a personal shopper, so the field must be small but still exists. I have seen a professional dog masseuse on TV, along with professional magicians, and food artists (my neighbor was a food artist and did arrangements for Albertson's commercials; she cut up fruit into flower shapes and that kind of stuff). It's pretty amazing the things you can get paid to do in America, or rather, the things that people pay for. At first glance, it seems a tad superficial that someone could make a career out of professional shopping, organizing, or magic, but then again I guess they were able to find an untapped market. So, I'm not sure whether these people are brilliant for fulfilling a need, or just couldn't hack it at a more normal job. Regardless of what it is you do, I think it is commendable to see an opportunity and do something with your skill set. I would still like to know how to break into the personal shopping industry though.



Speaking of special skills...these Chines acrobats are incredible. I'm not sure just how marketable this skill is, but it is unique.

Weather We Like It or Not

Weather is the one factor in our lives that is truly unpredictable and impacts us beyond our control. Even though we have the most advanced technology we have ever experienced to help us predict the weather more accurately, we still end up wrong some of the time. Weather can provide the most nurturing sunny day that keeps your spirits up all day long, if for no other reason than "it's a beautiful day outside." However, it can also bring on some obscenely dreary days of cold, dark, and rain; not to mention the horrors of natural disaster. Extreme weather like hurricanes or blizzards does not discriminate against economic status, race, ethnicity, gender, or any other factor; those suckers tear up anything and everything that gets in their way. In a strange way, weather is the most pure and lasting impartiality in the world, and I kind of like that a tornado won't ever hop over a big ass mansion, or spare the life of a rich celebrity, on its way to my house. We haven't figured out how to cheat the weather yet, we only know where to live to avoid it- but even then, people live in California with earthquakes, Florida with hurricanes, and right here in Texas with tornadoes. It always seemed stupid to me when I was younger that someone would choose to live somewhere they knew something bad could happen in, and then I found out my parents decided to raise me in the middle of Tornado Alley. I didn't understand why they would take the risk of losing everything when we could just live somewhere "safe." There really is no safe place though, it just depends what kind of bad weather you would prefer-wind, rain, or fire, take your pick. I also never understood why people just jumped up and started rebuilding entire cities after a natural disaster destroyed them. It's not that I think we should prolong our pain or not move on with life; I didn't really understand why society would choose to spend so much time, money, and manpower to redo all the infrastructure that was just demolished, especially when disaster could strike again. Then, we would be right where we started, all over again. Still, history has shown us, when the weather knocks something down, we just build it right back up again. It is reassuring to see how the world really does come to the rescue when people have faced disaster; it lets you know if that were ever you, someone would help. So, I like having the uncertainty of weather in my life. It keeps us humble by reminding us just how small we are in comparison to the workings of the world; this, I think, is beneficial to us all because nobody is bigger than the weather.

This is a picture I took while driving (not the safest tactic) on my way to visit my boyfriend at Texas Tech. While driving six hours in west Texas is not the most exciting or scenic trip to take in your life, it has its moments. I actually don't mind making the drive because it gives me a sense of calm and rejuvenation from escaping my ordinary routine for a short while. Plus, it reminds me of how the simplest things in nature, like a sunset, can be the most impactful on your day if you take the time to let it.

Monday

The thought of a new beginning is usually refreshing; I like the feeling of having a new sheet of paper, a clean bathroom, or even a new semester I guess. No matter what the situation, a fresh start or a clean slate helps keep me optimistic for what is to come. I can leave behind the dirt and bad memories of the past, but I must also leave behind any accomplishments or triumphs as well. The hardest new start, for me, comes at the start of every new week. I know technically the beginning of the week comes on Sunday, but I always count Monday as the first day of my week because Sunday is just spent dwelling on the fact that fucking Monday is right around the corner. Mondays are generally the least favored day of the week, and I'm pretty sure that's because they suck. It is really stressful having to anticipate your upcoming responsibilities and work you don't want to do, not to mention people you don't want to see or spend that much time around. Why don't Mondays carry the same invigorating sense of renewal that an empty, new notebook or a fresh load of laundry does? They do provide the same prospect of success, but I feel like once that first roadblock gets in my way, I am defeated and the rest of the week seems grim and so endless. I try to go into each new week with a fairly positive attitude, but the days drag on so slowly from Monday to Friday, and then the weekend just blows by. I gage time by the number of weeks until our next break or end of the semester, which really doesn't keep me reaching for a goal so much as it keeps me miserable going through the motions of every week. It is hard to find little discoveries in your day or ways to keep life fresh, but I need to start doing more of that. It gets harder and harder to keep life fresh when you do the same damn thing everyday, but most of working America probably feels this way. I look at the way my parents live; they go to work week in and week out with only the glimmer of a week and a half vacation to look forward to, and I wonder how people do it. How is it that my mom can cheer me up when she has a constant To-Do list running through her head? You really do have to count your blessings everyday and celebrate the small things because there are always going to be fucking Mondays.



This clip is kinda heavy on the cheap bathroom humor, but I still like it. It captures the spirit of Monday.

ConTrast crEateS InteReSt

Most everything we do in life ironically requires a good amount of contrast and opposition in order to be balanced in the end. A balanced life has to be divided with time spent at work and at play; we must invest energy in our romantic relationships, relationships with friends, and with co-workers in order to succeed in all areas of life. Additionally, we must experience the lows to appreciate the highs, or eventually we will get bored with our routine-no matter how cushy it may be. I think this need for contrast holds our attention because we get exposed to a fuller range of experiences and emotions, which translates to a fuller life. On a much smaller scale, incorporating contrast into movement is essential for a dancer. When creating a piece of choreography, you strive to include a wide range of dynamics, timing, and spatial patterns into the actual movement you come up with. It is clearly much more interesting to see a mixture of fast and slow movements, or sharp and flowing movements interspersed with each other, rather than just much of the same. One of my favorite dance videos is a piece called Falling Angels from choreographer Jiri Kylian. What makes it so powerful to watch is not any sort of technical "step," but the precision with which the dancers execute every little quirky detail. The juxtaposition of geometric lighting in the background with curving, balletic shapes of the dancers' bodies is the most striking contrast to me. Also, the seamless transitions from sharp, accented movement to more suspended, floaty movement keeps your attention, or at least keeps you awake. I find this exciting because I am a dancer, but there are opposing forces everywhere. In most cases, we probably complain about whatever force is opposing us; some person, task, or circumstance (but most often it's some person). Despite our complaints, our lives would be a whole lot less interesting without differences thrown into the mix. I think people generally crave contrast in most if not all areas of their lives for that very reason that it keeps things interesting. Even if things are good, if they are good in the exact same way for too long, we get bored and unappreciative of what we have. We need the opposition sometimes to keep us optimistic, engaged, and at the very least awake in our lives.