Those Ads Are Watching You

It's just one of those things we read or hear about that really makes it seem like we are stepping into the future. Do you notice when you're searching online or are using GMail and ads show up on the side that are related to what you're looking for or are emailing about? Convenient, helpful and quite a bit scary.

Well this is where the virtual online world meets real life. Video ads in malls and what not can now have cameras hidden in them that are watching you. We have security cameras everywhere, big deal right? Well not only are they watching you, they are gathering information about you. This so-called "primitive" technology can determine your gender accurately 85-90% of the time, approximate age range and in some cases, your ethnicity. That means that companies can not only learn about who is passing their ad stations, but they can also show ads that are relevant to your demographic. As custom-fitted for you as their ads may seem, that just means that they have that much more information about you. The movie "Minority Report" shows a more advanced technology, eye-scanning cameras determine who you are and flash even more custom-fitted ads. That is in 2054 though, it's only 2009.

News Voices

Have you ever paid attention to how news reporters on TV sound? It is very dramatic, almost cinematic with its pauses, and it engages the viewers by keeping them in some sort of suspense wondering what's next or what happened. I'm not sure if it's overdone because some news is quite dramatic in itself, but some stories don't warrant that type of effect. I wonder if that says anything about our culture, one that is extremely interested in other peoples' lives and tragedies? I've always thought that clips and soundbites from long ago were strange in the way people spoke in the media, I'm quite sure those of tomorrow will feel the same about ours.

President Barack Obama

The Presidential Inauguration was yesterday and I was lucky enough to catch the main part of it before tuning in to the CNN/Facebook feed for the rest of the day. It was quite nerve-wrecking to be honest, especially when he chose to walk during the Inaugural Parade. For many reasons, being a fellow Punahou alum being one, it was a very prideful day. I followed this election closer than any before, and I think it's incredible that I have witnessed history in the making...and in a way that people haven't before. As my grandma oddly put it, "It was just...awesome," a word I don't think I've ever heard her use.

2009

It's crazy to me that we are already entering the last of the years with "00" in the middle, next year will be '10. It's not like nothing has happened since the Y2K scare, but it's amazing how time flies. I don't notice this on a day-to-day basis, but I do notice it when I travel home to Hawaii for the holidays. New Year's is a date we all take the time to think about the past and future, and I hope the future will be bright.

Election '08

So today will be the second Presidential election where I am eligible to vote and that campaign I have paid attention to. I have found this one to be far more interesting, possibly due to a mix of the type of candidates that have run and because of the times. I am admittedly biased due to the fact that I have graduated from the same high school as Barack Obama, but even from the most objective standpoint I can come from, I find him to be inspirational and quite different from prior candidates. After traveling overseas and seeing how many view the US, I have come to understand the importance of not only what Americans think but what the world thinks. It is a global society after all. The entire process has been too long, but I think the Obama group has run quite a good campaign. I do feel that the country needs change, and not just as a slogan, but a different and more modern and accepting approach to the way we go about things. I don't, however, think that everything Obama has said he wants to do can be done quickly. I also think that there will be a lot to live up to should he win the Presidency. Hopefully the younger group will turn out and vote. Being a part of that group, I see many filled with excuses, lack of interest, or laziness. This is such a historic election at such a crucial time, I want to be proud to say that I was there and I voted in that election. Hopefully Obama will win and hopefully he will be the right one for the job.

Energy Drinks: Pushing Ridiculous?

I've been a fan of energy drinks ever since I was introduced to Red Bull about seven years ago. Since then, virtually everyone has entered the realm. After the 8 oz. market was saturated, in came the 16+'s with Rockstar, Monster and such. Then came the 5 Hour Energy Shots, followed by many more in a variety of different packages and tubes. I recently came across another trend which made me redraw the "WTF" line on the issue. It came in the form of a 32 oz. can which I find rather insane. Sure, Big Gulps are massive but at least they allow ice. Who can finish a 32 oz. energy drink while it's still chilled? By the time I finish that, I'll probably be way too bloated to do any of the activites I was drinking it for.


You really have to see it to understand. Keep in mind that the smaller Rockstar is about 16.9 fl. oz.

Get Cozi

In a time where social networking sites and communities are flourishing (literally, there's a LOT!) from friends to travel to art to letting the world know where you are and what you're doing at the exact moment, there's one small group of people that have been overlooked: family. In a time where everyone is everywhere doing their own thing, it's hard to keep even the closest people to you organized and on the same page. I was amazed to stumble upon this site, Cozi, a site that connects your family members. You can create a family homepage equipped with a calendar full of everyone's schedules, grocery/shopping/to do lists, a family journal and a photo screensaver. If this was around when I was still living back home, we'd use this for sure!

Kina Grannis

Since my friend labeled her as the next Michelle Branch or Avril Lavigne back in 2004 or so, I've been loosely following and paying attention to Kina Grannis. She happened to be his neighbor at his USC apartment in Troy Hall. It was to my surprise when I heard she was up for a Dorito's Crash the Superbowl contest in which she won, leading her to get her music video played during a commerical and an Interscope Records deal. This isn't new news or anything, but I figure I should put something up on here and she's talented.



My Time With You ft. David Choi


Stay Just A Little While ft. Emi Grannis


These Magnet Hearts

The Questions and Questions of Life

Questions of fate, faith, destiny, choice, solemate, timing, and the meaning of life are among the ones that I never seem to be able to answer. How much of life is predetermined? What is my purpose? To be honest, I think these issues may simply be self-made in order to create a belief that life is something more than the basic animalistic birth-reproduction-death cycle. We need to feel that we live somewhere in between God and the wildlife but yet I can't help but keep wondering. I have a problem thinking that I had no part in the happiness in my life that I now have and that I can't do anything about my unhappiness. Of course, we cannot be in complete control of everything, but that's why we have God. By communicating with the higher power, we can at least have that power to maybe help influence the outcome. Even with these thoughts, however, I still feel the need to accomplish something through the choices I make. As to how, I'm not sure, I keep getting caught up in the questioning. I have a hard time believing that there is a map of our life layed out somewhere, and that map cannot be adjusted, adapted, or changed whatsoever.

Fight in Flight: Fight or Flight?

The desire or need to travel on an airplane must be stronger than it ever was. I'd be preaching to the choir if I am to express my dislike with taking it to the air these days. My flying experience has been both good and bad, but after both flights on my most recent roundtrip got me worshiping every bit of free space around me, I began to wonder just how much our little bit of temporary real estate was worth. I may be coming off harsh, but should someone who is, say 6'2", 230lbs be able to purchase the same ticket for the same price as a petite woman whose eye level lies an inch above her steering wheel after filling up on half an extra value meal? I know it'd be more than offensive if ticket prices were related to a person's size, but as I sat there with my poorly cushioned ass in pain with a foreign leg and arm over my armrest and nowhere to move, I began wishing that each square centimeter had a price tag attached to it. Perhaps some who go too far, literally, should be required to pay an extra fee - heck, overweight luggage requires an extra fee because of safety so why not passengers? I know most times they can't help it, but since when was invasion justified and not an act of war? If I have to cross my arms and plaster myself against the wall as best as I can for five hours, aren't I not getting what I paid for? If I can't have my own arm spend time near my armrestville border without hitting enemy forces, then maybe I should get a discount or something. Even with the occasional beverage cart rounds, I still have to mentally focus myself to stay calm during the turmoil at the border. Is this a fight worth sticking out or should I do my best to either avoid the right turn into Coach upon entrance or even steer clear of the jetway entirely? First Class gets what they pay for but I was hoping Economy would still be above steerage. When we're only armed with a pillow and blanket in the fight for territory, it sure is hard to fly the friendly skies.