The Importance of the Online Profile

In this day and age, when so many of our perceptions and judgments are based on ones' viral activity, a large part of our identities are created through our presence online. People judge us based on our online activity, employers do or do not hire us based on our online activity and our online activity can make or break a potential relationship based on that initial acceptance of friendship and the lurking that ensues shortly afterward. What does my online presence say about me?
What does this blog say about me?
I realize that I created it and am following through on it for selfish reasons, to track my progression and hopefully force myself into a forward momentum as far as my career is concerned; Nonetheless, I'm writing it for the masses. The point is to stand out and have a voice among every other 24 yr old blogger trying to find their way. The few followers that I have and the few that happen upon my blog gain insight into my life in these short snippets - same goes for the farce that is my facebook page and my newly created linkedin page. (I realize that in the short amount of time that I've had this blog, others' perceptions of me have been a topic on two occasions, but I care about what people think of me and I'm not ashamed of that. Human interactions are what life's all about and therefore, I contemplate this stuff).
I want people to perceive me for what I am. It's so easy for people to create preconceived notions of you. In fact, it's human nature, but I want to shape those perceptions to the best of my ability. Can we really depict who we are through a viral medium? Maybe that's what this day's communication is all about.
I'm hoping that someone out there - some random who's destined to enter into my life - will stumble upon one of my online profiles and think, "I understand this girl, I get this girl, she's real and I want to give her an opportunity". I know it sounds ridiculous; However, with so much of our lives online and so much effort put into creating these accurate online depictions/snapshots of who we are fundamentally, isn't our goal to have someone connect with us and "feel" us and to inevitably gain from that connection? Don't we all want someone to say, "I think you're great and I want to help you on you career path." Okay, maybe not all of us want that... But, I do! Over here, world!! Look at me, surf my pages, see my potential!

People watching and the mental travels that ensue

People watching. I could not get more lost in, or be more gratified by, people watching. I could spend hours soaking up the emotions, outfits, swaggers, hairstyles, sourpuss faces. I spend (as does everybody) so much time completely absorbed by myself and the happenings around me. It blows my mind to sit and watch people and attempt to fathom the size of the universe that is their life. They walk by me and for a split second, I am a part of it all... and, they are gone. However, I'm left with their sense, their being - maybe their aura. I often feel haunted by my people watching stints - not in a horror-movie sort of way, but in a "touched-by-their-presence" sort of way. I feel inspired either by peoples' individualities or by their lack there of. I want to soak up the uniqueness and creativity that goes into putting oneself together - creating the package that is seen as "you" by the other passerbys. I feel inspired to be more of myself and to be less like the norm. I feel inspired by the longing to stand out and leave my presence behind when walking by a fellow people watcher. What impression do I leave with them? What impression do I want to leave?

In essence, the people watching, allows me a brief delve into a universe unlike my own, infact completely different from my own. I take from that universe what I can during our rapid encounter, based on my perceptions and judgments and mood and I submerge back into my universe, slightly altered - with my mind and eyes more open and my awareness of self more acute.

Lulls and Explosions

It’s such a strange feeling to itch for pending adventure and freedom while moving at a snail’s pace through my daily work-related affairs.

It seems as though bits of this year will be in fast-forward while the days, weeks or months leading up to those next bits seem so tedious and laborious.

As I’m just getting into the year, my pre-conceived notions of it seem to narrow down events to lulls and explosions. In reality, it will all zoom by and it will all be crucial.

However, certain elements are definitely taking precedence: school and art related elements are always in the forefront of my mind.

I’m finding it incredibly difficult to remain dedicated to work (a job I’ve been at for almost 3 years now). I always thought of this job as temporary and as a side-gig to my bachelors degree. Now, the time has come to make a decision about my next career move. Stay with my present job until I leave for Vancouver? Or risk it and get something new (more stimulating, invigorating, motivating, more career oriented) for only 6-7 months before moving across the country? A lull or an explosion?

Is my apprehension about leaving my job caused by rational thinking (it makes sense to stay here since I’ll be leaving shortly) or fear of something new (putting myself and my design skills out there for the world to see and judge)? I’m hoping the latter will be proven false. I never fancied myself a pussy; but then again, I never fancied myself a very rational thinker.