Privacy? We don't need no stinkin' privacy!

Just finished reading an interesting book called
"The Future of Reputation: Gossip, Rumor, and Privacy on the Internet". I think this is a great book for anyone who has a blog. It really opened my eyes to what is protected, what should be protected, and where you can really get caught with your pants around your ankles!
Even if you don't have a blog, the "dog poop girl" story is well worth the cost of the book.
Daniel J. Solove explores the realm of privacy and how little we have left in the age of the internet. Solove is considered an "expert in privacy law" and it shows in his writing. There were so many things I hadn't thought about until he addressed them in this book. It's a quick but informative read, and one that all of us should remember the next time we're posting last Saturday's party pix online.
Enjoy!

Friend or Fossil?

One of the great things about going back to school is getting to see life through the fresh perspective of my "peers". One of the drawbacks is seeing myself through the same perspective.
I knew going into this that I was usually going to be one of, if not the, oldest student in the room. Typically I can blend in fairly well. I try not to dress like a soccer mom, but I also try not to dress like a teenager. I keep it simple. Of course, there's been a few awkward moments that have given me away. Ther's been a few times where a professor has asked "Does anyone remember..." and I've been the only person to raise my hand. There was the time I wore a t-shirt that was emblazoned with The Breakfast Club crew. When I was asked by several students if the group on my tee were friends of mine and did I meet them for breakfast before class, I tried not to cry in front of them. Then there was the time when I couldn't get in to see my hair dresser for two weeks. My roots looked like they'd been streaked with cream cheese frosting, and every kid I had to talk to in my classes only talked to my scalp as they tried to figure out what the hell I was doing with so much white hair.
But perhaps the most recent indcident is the one that has really damaged my chances of ever blending in again. While sitting in a class, discussing the ins and outs of privacy and the media, the subject of the internet came up. Everyone around me is 19-years-old and chatting about posting pix to their blank-space/book/itter pages and how they've handled privacy. Before I can stop my mouth to engage my brain I decide to pipe in my two cents about life and the internet. Acting cool as a cucumber (that phrase alone should keep me out of the club), I blurt out:
"Man, I'm so glad the internet wasn't around when I was in school!"
"Why?" one kid asks. "Did your school not have access to it or something?"
"No." I respond with a laugh. "The internet wasn't even available yet."
And yes, their reaction was as terrible as you might imagine.
They recoiled as if in horror, which actually surprised me. Then they all instantly looked at the roots on my head and saw the patches of gray. After that, no one was even looking me in the eye. I had revealed my secret - I'm A THIRTY-SOMETHING GROWN-UP!! GASP!!
I'm so glad that I have enough maturity to laugh about this - and that I can buy a house, rent a car, and still believe in Ferris.

The Preppies are coming! The Preppies are coming!!

I was hoping to get something all fancy and official up here...BUT I CAN'T WAIT!! Today is the day JEN LANCASTER'S new book "PRETTY IN PLAID" hits stores!! The time? 1980's. The crime? Jen in a college sorority. Lord help us all! Between the hair spray and the "preppy wear" this should be a non-stop-pee-in-your-pants laugh fest!
For those of you who've been under a rock for the last couple of years, she's a fantastic author who doesn't hold back. Her books are typically memior-style, and they'll have you snorting chardonay out your nose in no time (which is a good thing, trust me).
I haven't much time for more, but click on her name above and check it out for yourself, or click on the link to the left of this post ("Land of the Free, Home of the Bitter"). It'll be well worth the price of admission (or the book, anyway).