March 2010 Archives

When Google announces a new product, I'm always eager to give it a test run, regardless of what it's supposed to do. I have yet to find a usefulness for Google Wave, and Google Buzz...oh, Buzz. Buzz has only added more unwelcomed factors into my life. I'm not talking about the buzz (heh) about privacy issues. I mean one simple little issue: My oldest is on Google Buzz. We "follow" each other. My twitter feed pours into Buzz, making a formerly private section of my life prominently on display for him. Even worse, I've become painfully tuned into the drama of a middle school aged child.
I'm sure many parents would balk at that last statement, and let me clarify: it's not that I don't know what my son is up to, etc. It's that now I'm faced with those so-called growing pains that we all did in the privacy of our peers and frankly, it's awkward. And I'm sure some parents would love to have this doorway into their kids thoughts and conversations with friends, but it feels intrusive to me. If a friend and him are arguing (which they do over Buzz..whaaa?), there it is, in my feed for me to see. I'll talk with him (off the computer of course) and ask if everything is okay, but it makes me feel like I gained the information by spying. And then there's the other dilemma - to respond via post or not. I don't want to be "oh, that 's my mom" on his feed. How embarrassing would that be?

As I've mentioned in a few other posts, my maternal instinct to protect my kids is strong. Grizzly bear mama strong. It takes a great deal of discipline and restraint on my part to let him "fight his own fights". There is a definitely a line where good intentions can step over if not kept in check. If someone was bullying my kids, there is no line. But little arguments and pre-adolescent drama? A definite line.

The latest involves some girl I don't know. My son doesn't even know her. I'm pretty sure his friends don't know her either. One of his friends started following her on Buzz, and she started calling him a stalker. Okay, a little dramatic, yes. Then my son makes a comment in his own feed how she is ticking him off. The girl, who is not being followed by my son or following him, has been commenting on the post daily. Calling them stalkers. Which I find kind of amusing and definitely ironic. The drama is making my head spin, watching them go back and forth at each other. Quite a few times, I've wanted to step in and say something...but then what? What would I solve by making the little twat cry? And really, she's what, a pre-teen? How awesome of me for being able to decimate the feelings of someone half my age. (That is sarcasm.) It's as if the mommy-mode kicks in and that's all I think about- protecting mah youngins. So thank you, Google Buzz, for making my life slightly more difficult.

This review will most likely be brief, cause there's not a whole lot to say.
"Gamer" reminds me of just about every other dystopian futuristic movie where a bunch of convicts are forced to play a game in which they either die or survive to play x amount of rounds for freedom. But, of course, freedom is just jokes. Oooh, didn't see that plot twist coming, did I?
The difference here is that the "avatars" of the game are actually people, like in the SOYLENT GREEN IS PEOPLE! sort of sense. Controlled by rich assholes. There's also a less violent game which is kinda like the Sims meets Second Life, but with people and fat assholes controlling them. See the theme? The moral to this movie is clearly "Remember how people warned you that you're either getting your ass kicked by a kid or that hot chick is actually a fat dude whacking off? Yeah, IT'S TRUE!"
So not a whole lot about this movie hasn't been done before, and in many cases, a hell of a lot better.

But you know where this movie kicked all sorts of ass? Random dance scene!! That's right! Why not? A bad movie needs an awesome dance number to confuse viewers into thinking it could have been good. Not just a dance number, but a dance number with killings!
(so, you know...kinda violent.)

Watch Gamer (2009) - Dance Scene in Entertainment

So there. I just saved you two hours and gave you the best part.

The following is an email exchange that occurred this afternoon.

Tom Wopat*: Can you change kids to children? Sounds more professional!
Me: You mean to tell me, we're not auctioning off kids??
Tom Wopat: I cannot send to corporate email what I am thinking!
Me: It's good to go.
Tom Wopat: Thank you! I found that rather demeaning.

Now here is where I'm at a loss. I have NO idea what was demeaning. The use of the word "kids" to refer to children? If that were the case, wouldn't that be something demeaning to kids and not an adult? Or was it my crack about auctioning off kids? Maybe it's a poor joke, but I fail to see how that could be contrived as demeaning to anyone. It's a valid question. Maybe I was hoping to get some kids at a discount price and my dreams were just crushed**. Now, I have had some serious filter issues today. I was told by a pharmacist that I was signing a statement to not use my son's allergy medicine to make crystal meth, which I answered with "Oh, MAN!!" But see, the pharmacist chuckled. He didn't claim to be demeaned.

I just refuse to apologize in this situation. I don't see how I could possibly be in the wrong here. Well...maybe..but no!

*Names have been changed to protect the identity of those involved.
** Another inappropriate joke, of course.