2 Cents on Speed Dating

I think it’s no secret that my sister and I have similar facial features.  In most lighting, we tend to look alike, but there is no lighting that would help us pass for twins (at least, we think).  And because we are sisters, we do things together.  One activity that we tried very recently was speed dating.  VanillaBean and I were wishfully thinking it would be right from the Sex and the City script; however this particular installment happened somewhere on the spectrum between the investigative NCIS episode (“Singled Out”) and the sophisticated-dramatic Hitch scene. (Think more like the awkward Monk moment in “Mr. Monk Goes to the Theatre.”)

4 Cents on The Bromance

I have always tended to have more male friends and to associate with male cliques rather than female. I never gave this much thought, but if I had to explain it, I would say the reason is male friendships are (stereotypically) easier. I don’t have to worry about pettiness and drama, being misunderstood or judged, as when a part of majority female groups. But as I have gotten older (or because I too have enjoyed watching the mindless Judd Apatow movies), I have become more aware that guys need “guy time.” Several weeks ago my friends (“the Boys”) were planning an event and I was invited to attend. I declined so they could have “boy bonding” as I call it. They all proceeded to make fun of me because I always decline these invites to allow for boy bonding. Their argument was that they bond enough (because they are boys and don’t need as much time to bond as females—my interpretation; not theirs), they enjoy my company (who doesn’t), and they can bond with each other with me being present (seems true enough too). My argument was the Boys censor themselves around me even if it’s subconscious. They immediately denied it, reassured me that I would not be intruding, and attempted to not censor themselves. I know some of their over-the-top behavior and remarks were an exaggeration to prove their point, and they don’t habitually talk/act in that manner when not under female observation (at least, they say they don’t. I tend to believe them). Regardless, after a few days they went back to censoring themselves and I was happier.

Six Cents on Citizen Journalism

In undergrad it was always interesting which professors were pro and anti-Wikipedia. Some professors were certain that Wikipedia would lead to the end of academia. Some professors felt confident that the website was always one hundred percent factual and ended any debate. More commonly, professors would advise the use of Wikipedia only for “light reference” or brainstorming. These were my favorite professors: the ones who when asked a question, “How many times was Henry Clay Speaker of the House?” would answer with, “I don’t remember—look it up on Wikipedia.” They were my favorite because they were not naive enough to think we spent hours and hours looking for obscure sources in the library, but they also realized to ban Wikipedia from the classroom would also make us use it more.