On Social Media

I joined Twitter this week. I guess I like it. However, the first thought that crossed my mind was "now I have too many things I need to update when something happens to me." I never signed up for Twitter before because I tend to update my Facebook page like one would a Twitter. Theoretically, I could update a Twitter more often, but no one reads it anyway, so why does it matter.

This got me thinking: "Do we use social media just to have another excuse to hear ourselves talk?"

Sure, Facebook can be used to keep in touch with people. Old classmates, distant relatives, long lost friends... I wonder how many people use Facebook solely for this purpose. I pretty much use it to get feedback on what is happening in my life, and to give feedback to others. "Liking" someone's post has replaced calling them up and congratulating them on getting a new job. To some, relationships don't mean anything anymore until you've told the Facebook world they exist. By looking at the pictures a "friend" is tagged in, judgments are made, possibly before people even meet. And if you're only going to use Facebook to add the people you truly know, then why bother? You probably speak to them regularly anyway.

Already, after a few days, I have 14 followers. These are 14 people that have agreed to see everything I "tweet" about. Recent tweets include announcing my participation in a tournament, commentary about the USAU College Nationals, and shouting out to friends (that I speak to daily). Why bother? I'm not really sure. I don't know why I made an account, but I did. I look forward to exploring the potential that Twitter has to actually impact my life. I know Twitter can be a good source of news, for those too lazy to scan the nets (really, it's a good source, and is really quick and easy). It also can be a good place for businesses or celebrities to tell the world about their lives. Beyond that, I'm unsure. If I want to start a real discussion with someone, I'll call them. Maybe I'll email them. Maybe I'll set up a time to grab coffee and have a face to face chat.

I am in no denial that I personally joined Twitter to fuel my own ego. Seeing friends post congrats for getting a new job or responding to questions posted is fantastic. And the best part is I can view it all from my comfy chair in my room. I hope that one day I find a real use for it, but for now, follow me: @EhmZiv

Just realized another use for Twitter: quickly sharing my blog posts.

On Things

I have come to the conclusion that I seriously dislike how dependent on objects I have become. We joke about checking our email all the time on our smartphones, but I'm not sure we can comfortably go without them. We are so dependent on watching our sports games on our TVs while recording that show with the TiVo box. Buying something new makes us feel better.

Last week, my car wouldn't start. I admit it, I freaked out. I was so overwhelmed by the thought of not being able to drive that the worries turned into a mini life crisis. I thought to myself, "Lucky me, I was going to drive up north with my boyfriend, and my coworkers can give me a ride to work. I also walk to campus, so I can still attend class." Now I can say that I wasn't lucky. There really are just ways to function without a car. My roommate takes the bus to work every day. Sure, he doesn't need to. He definitely has enough money to buy himself a car and pay for gas. But he doesn't have to. And he gets along just fine.

This whole experience just makes me want to truly disconnect. Note, I say want to. I don't think I actually will, but just because I'm not sure what the overall benefit will be, other than proving a point. I think the closest I will get will be to not have phone or internet access during my upcoming trip to Israel (but I will have a phone on me in case of emergencies, so maybe that's not truly disconnecting). Here's my thought: During that 10 day trip, what is REALLY going to happen that requires my immediate attention? Probably nothing. If something even does go wrong, I'm sure it will get worked out or can wait until I return.

I just feel sad that I think more people would rather plug into their iPods than listen to the birds chirp in the morning. They're so used to the convenience of driving that instead of walking that mile to the post office, movie theater, nearby restaurant, they will get in a car. That instead of meeting up with a friend for coffee they will just Skype. That entertainment revolves around video games and television instead of just going to a park with some friends.

Unfortunately, I have no solutions. I hope that one day we will all decide to disconnect and encourage our friends to do the same, but until then, I'm going to enjoy playing solitaire on my Droid during boring lectures. And celebrate my new battery (yes, that's all it took) by taking a trip to San Diego this weekend. Hooray!

MetCons or A Life Changing Exercise Mentality

First, go here.

I was fortunate enough to be introduced to the concepts of Metabolic Conditioning earlier this year. At first, the routines seem simple. Some situps, some squats, whatever, right? WRONG. What I have found is that these workouts are all about pushing yourself. High intensity. Getting your heart rate up. Pushing yourself. Finding that breaking point and pushing yourself past it. Each workout can be modified, changed, invented anew, to suit your needs.

For example, today I took a normal routine I enjoy (5 pushups, 10 squats, 15 crunches) and changed the crunches to v-situps. Makes it a million times harder. Lucky for me, my roommate came in close to my failing point with those situps. Even luckier: she hears me say "fuck it, I'll just do situps," turns around in her chair, and screams at me, "NO! Let's go! Give me five more!" She counted me all the way up through that last set of 15.

Which bring me to the next awesome part of this type of workout - the ability to make it into a partner exercise. I was especially surprised to find that I really enjoyed this changeup, being so incredibly independent when it comes to working out. Maybe it stems from insecurities, but I especially dislike working out with guys. Why would I want to watch someone obviously stronger than me just kick my ass? Perhaps that is also partly my competitive nature, but I enjoy "racing" myself, not someone else who will obviously beat me. Where's the motivation there? Anyway, last weekend I tried a workout of this nature with my (very) athletic boyfriend. Wow, not only did I work out with a guy, but with someone who, though I am in a fantastic relationship with, still try so hard to impress? YUP! We decided to modify a workout ("Mexican Standoff" - I tried to find a link to explain it, but couldn't, then realized it doesn't really matter) we had previously heard about to the following: 150 pushups for time. Only one person does pushups at a time, while the other person hangs (in whatever way they want) from a pullup bar. When either person needs to switch, you stop, and do 10 squats before switching. I think we did it in 10:27 or something. But that doesn't really matter to me. What matters to me is that it was fun! I was surprisingly motivated to work hard with another person there. Just getting one more pushup in each set meant he had to do less overall, just hanging for one more second, helping him count down, motivated him to do the same for me. And laying on the ground for a good few minutes afterwards feels so amazing.

I couldn't stop giggling after; the rush of endorphins was exhilarating. So get to it! Make up a workout! What is your favorite exercise? Situps? Pushups? Overhead Squats? Put them together and do 'em quickly. It's 15, 10, even 5 minutes of your life you won't regret.

Club, Life After College

So far I have really enjoyed the tryout experience. I try to go into every tryout like I have nothing to lose, and I recently got invited back past the first round of cuts to a co-ed team that I've had a great time playing with. I love playing with everyone on that team, and have come out of the two tryouts feeling amazing.

I can't wait to be just a player, again. I'm already starting to remember why I love ultimate so much. Playing for a good, competitive, and personally close team is what I always wanted. What I train for. What motivates me to throw on those cleats and get to running.

Even if I don't make this team, these few experiences tell me that I'm not done with ultimate. My college career may be over, but my ultimate career is just beginning. There's only getting better from here! However weird that seems to read, until this year, I considered ultimate something I do for fun and physical activity in college. It feels really good to come to the conclusion that it's something I want to do for a very long time after graduation, that it's a passion not tied to my university or an academic schedule.

On Transition

Sometimes I can't believe where I am in life. For just a moment, I am jarred out of whatever current issue I'm dealing with, and take a step back. See the forest through the trees, or whatever other metaphor is applicable here. Meeting all the people I have known in my life, having all these different experiences, growing from petulant child to rebellious teen to overworked adult; these are the things that shape who I am.

As I sit here I realize that every aspect of my life feels predetermined. I believe at one point I was a blank slate, but now there is rarely a decision I make that is unaffected by past experiences. As I pose to graduate from college and move on into the "real world," I question if my slate is really full. Am I truly prepared to face the hardships of unemployment, lost friendships, the pains that can come with loving someone?

The music I listen to, the activities I spend my free time doing, the books I read... Sometimes it all seems so contrived. How much of what I think is me, and how much is my ex-boyfriend? My sister? My best friends? To give a specific example that has lately been on my mind, this past year I have had four men that have seriously affected my life, and each has filled a different role that will forever be imprinted on me. It amazes me that four different people can affect me to such a degree that I will never forget them. Well, one that I count is my father, so perhaps that isn't the best example. I think my point is that as one goes through significant transitions, the first thing that seems to shift is our relationships. I have no idea if I'll see my roommates anytime soon, but I know I want to be around my boyfriend. Already I don't speak to someone who used to be like a brother to me. And who knows how much I'll keep in contact with a person who I grew up with, whom with I shared my teen years, who has affected my thought process so deeply that he will be forever ingrained in my personality.

Even the fact that I am currently listening to "How's it Gonna Be" by Third Eye Blind as I write this is a product of a relationship.

However, I don't think this is a bad trend. At the end of the day, I'd rather have had all of these memories and people in my life than have tried to create a masterpiece from that blank canvas all on my own.

On Productivity

So obviously, I'm not the best blogger ever. I'd like to say my lack of updates stems from me living life to the fullest and having all these amazing experiences, but it's probably more due to my constant high stress level and having way too much on my plate.

However, the past few days I have found I am incredibly productive. This got me thinking: what has changed this week as opposed to others? First, Midas just had their last tournament of the quarter, so the pressure of planning all that goes into a tournament weekend is lifted. Second, I decided I wasn't going to practice this week. I have a huge presentation on Monday and will be gone this weekend, and genuinely feel like I can't keep giving up schoolwork for ultimate. As much as I miss running around, it's nice to not have something to do EVERY NIGHT. Third, I'm going to Trouble in Vegas with PlanEx this weekend, a trip I am very much looking forward to.

Yes, I still have a lot to be concerned with. I have a lot of schoolwork and this looming presentation is pretty overwhelming. I have a strained ligament in my hand. I am shirking my obligations to my team. I am dealing with our Club Sports office regarding a possible club sanction and $1200 fine. I haven't thought about my Conference Coordinating work in about a week. I have no money, and no job prospects for after graduation.

So many things could be considered wrong with my current situation, yet I am happy. And I believe that is the point: in Maya-land, happiness leads to productivity, and I'm gonna ride this train as long as it's chugging on.

LeiOut 2011 Recap

Overall a completely amazing weekend. While my team didn't do super hot (1-5), we still, as Busty says, won the awesome competition. With super cool jerseys and delicious sideline beverages, what could possibly be wrong? The weather was absolutely amazing, everyone was having a good time, and the best part was we really were playing hard. There were bids everywhere! Even the rookies stepped up, learned some new tricks, and even helped score a few. We had a first timer on our team as well, and she definitely held her own.

Ten things I learned this weekend:

1. Sand isn't grass. It kills your calfs and feet. Meaning playing on grass is going to be that much easier, right?
2. Beach ultimate is a lot of putting up throws and letting your better players/that really tall guy get it.
3. Laying out on sand doesn't hurt. I MUST find some way to translate this to getting over my inability to lay out on grass.
4. Laying out in a prom dress is possibly one of the most fun ultimate experiences ever.
5. Playing in a skirt is ridiculously comfortable - props to UCSB Burning Skirts for figuring this out and rocking it.
6. Beach ultimate can be really intense, too! The finals game was crazy!
7. The learning curve at tournaments, even "fun" ones, is huge. We had rookies going from scared to get on the sand at all to throwing forehand assists.
8. Good cuts aren't that hard to set up. While it's extra emphasized on sand (really, a hard step in one direction is all you need), the same concept can be translated to grass. Move convincingly in one direction, drop your weight, go the other way. Done.
9. Heckling can cause amazing things, like dropped pulls. I watched it happen.
10. Doing anything, even losing, is okay, as long as you're wearing a Team Planet Express Ship jersey.

Random highlight, I had my first layout D EVER, and it felt amazing. I definitely look forward to next year. There is nothing like spending a weekend on the beach playing ultimate with your best friends.