SodaHead - Girl, Interrupted's Blog

Master debaters or just morons?

2009-03-10T03:08:39Z

+3 raves

Perhaps I am a little late to the game. Of course I already knew there were supposed "gangs" on Sodahead especially right before the election. However, I thought with the coming of election day, this would soon die out and people would go back to enjoying each other's views absent of the "You libs" or "You cons" attacks. Yet the Presidency has already been determined and we are now experiencing a new political era and still people are so divided. How is this country supposed to become strong when there is so much hatred towards one another. If Sodahead is any indication of how the country is interacting, we are in trouble. Doesn't anyone believe in the saying, "United we stand, Divided we fall?" Aren't we the UNITED states or are we just conservatives/liberals, Republicans/Democrats, legal/illegal, etc. What is happening on Sodahead is shameful. People don't even allow for a sharing of views because the moment you call them out on their hypocrisy, they label you with some blanket statement as to why you may think a certain way. Our country is not falling apart because of some "illegal" problem or the "spending" problem, we are falling apart because we are abandoning our Democracy/Republic. We are persecuting each other for our mere opinions. When people gang up on each other and decide to bestow such baseless insults, it only elucidates just how disconnected we are from one another and thus are not as "United" as we are expected to be. To me, the most unpatriotic thing one can do in a Democracy is to persecute people for their mere opinions. Here on Sodahead, people are robbing the spirit of Democracy in the name of Democracy. Can you say Hy-po-cri-sy? Furthermore, why are people so weak minded that they have to join a gang in order to feel powerful? I'll admit, many of my Sodafriends are like-minded people whom I enjoyed the way they articulated their opinion. However, if you research my Sodafriends, you will find many who think polar opposite than I do. If you check out my raving habits, you will discover that I rave people I don't even agree with if they conveyed their thoughts in a intelligent manner. But I see others writing blogs, deriving polls, blocking, and leaving vicious comments based on the will of some Sodahead gang. I have seen Sodaheads I have never even encountered rave insulting comments merely because the commenter is in their "gang." I have seen blogs aimed at bashing a fellow Sodahead because the blogger is furious at loosing a debate. How is this intelligent debating? I am calling on all Sodafriends and Sodaheads, to try and rid Sodahead of these toxins. Let's not continue to allow them to take over our beloved debating forum. Conservatives, Liberals, Republicans, Democrats, etc. don't allow these wicked individuals continue to poison our site. Many of us enjoy the art of debate and we want to continue to do so in an intelligent manner. We should all unite and take back our site!

Why does summer have to end?

2008-08-26T13:36:28Z

Girl, Interrupted

+16 raves

As many of you know, I grew up in the sunshine city known as L.A. Although we have a version of summer in which the temperatures get even hotter than they are year round, it never really gets too cold to go to the beach or have a BBQ. Summer never really ends in Los Angeles. The only thing that summer's end represented was cooler temperatures and going back to school/work. During the fall, we still have our 90 degree days and can still head to the beach as late as December. Florida was very conducive to the lifestyle I had grown accustomed to and enjoyed. Although very humid, the weather always remained pretty warm year round and aside from the rain, it did not play too big of a role as a deciding factor for activities. The winters did get a little chilly but not much more than sweater weather. I was still able to go canoeing and even headed to the beach in January. But now moving to New York, for the first time in my life, I am experiencing the "end of summer." What? The beaches close?! I never lived in a place where the beaches close! What? The outdoor concerts are not year round? The outdoor movies in Central Park are about to end? The Salsa Concerts on Orchard Beach will not continue on at least until the Fall ends? I noticed I felt this sense of urgency for the last couple of days and my husband asked me what was wrong. I really couldn't pin point it out. Though last night over cocktails, as I complained about barely getting settled in and all the activities are coming to a close, he asks, "Haven't you ever experienced the end of summer?" I sighed and thought about it and replied, "Actually, no! The weather doesn't change dramatically in California. We can do summer activities year round." He sat back and smiled, apparently quite amused at my naivity in season changes. I was saddened but relieved. I finally knew what it was that was upsetting me... the summer is going to end for the first time in my life. So now, living in a city where the seasons change, I will experience the hot days getting cooler and cooler to a point of freezing. Perhaps I will discover some new activities that can be done exclusively in the other seasons besides summer. I am still wondering what is it that can be more fun than beaches and BBQ's but my husband is so excited to see me experience a white Christmas. Though I have been to New York year round (a weekend out of every month for the past three years), I will now experience it without any escape to warm weather. Who knows? I may even enjoy a snowball fight or even a cozy winter night...

"I Love Money" like Sodahead?

2008-08-19T14:21:44Z

Girl, Interrupted

+13 raves

I enjoy watching those corny reality shows and one is "I Love Money." Though when watching the last episode, it occured to me how similar Sodahead has become to the show. You have a Rodeo who whines and screams when she realizes she is being casted out... that reminds me of those that cry when they can't play in your sand box. You have manipulators like Meagan that play both sides... kinda like those that pretend to be your friend but really have another agenda. You have useless players like Brandi C. who add nothing to the game.... kinda like those that follow certain Sodaheads around and add nothing but an echo to the conversation. You have strong players like Hoops... which reminds me of those of us that keep it real and even though people are against us, most usually respect us... I can go on, though the next time you watch the show, look for the parallels. It will make the show even more funny... This is all in fun. No one need to turn into the Incredible Hulk (as did Rodeo) over my blog. Just have fun with it. Better yet, if you are reading this and we are not friends, then stalker you are!

Freedom of Expression.

2008-08-14T18:22:50Z

Girl, Interrupted

+18 raves

Since coming on to Sodahead, I have heard the term "Freedom of Speech" being tossed around whenever an abuser wants the freedom to insult someone without any consequences. Although I am a firm believer in "Freedom of Speech," I do think that when that "Freedom of Speech" includes harrasment and/or persecution because of someone's choices, noone should have to endure this behavior. A person has the freedom to continue on with their abuse if given an audience, however the person that the abuser chooses to attack does not have to subject themselves to anymore abuse; hence the block feature. Many people have abused the block feature. Many have silienced people for merely differing in opinion. I frown upon those that have done so, however I would not cry out censorship as what is my freedom to state my opinion is also their freedom to choose not to hear my opinion. I have been blocked for a mere differing in opinion and I believe it to be cowardly especially by those that continue to distribute vicious lies about me around Sodahead. But if they are given an audience and the audience is ignorant enough to believe them, then that is no longer my problem but that of ignorant and the choir. When blocking someone because they attack and harass, then the block feature is necessary as it will prevent even more chaos. If someone cannot convey their opinion absent of insults and accusations, then they no longer deserve to have the privilege of debating with me. What is even more mind boggling is how hypocritical people can be as to harrass someone for their mere opinions (which is of course is UNPATRIOTIC in a Democracy) and then be upset when you make the gesture that you no longer will give them an ear for their abuse. Isn't it my right to choose who it is I want to listen to? When I am blocking, I am not taking away one's right to express themselves, just taking the ability to express themselves to ME! If you take away my right to refrain from receiving insults, wouldn't this be a violation of MY rights? I am a fan of "Freedom of Speech" as I am a fan of blocking abusers. Of course, people should not block for a mere differing in opinion and I have not done so as I enjoy a little differing in opinion. Take a look at my friendlist and see how many I differ with in opinion. Yet, when the discourse becomes hostile and abusive I should not and will not tolerate it any longer. I will utilize my right and block those that cannot debate in a civil manner. I think people should learn to express themselves absent of harassments and insults. If one cannot do so, I will exercize my right and not continue to listen!

Sodahead a warzone?

2008-07-03T14:19:40Z

Girl, Interrupted

+8 raves

I first discovered Sodahead when furthering my research of the potential presidential candidates. I was intrigued with Sodahead as unlike Myspace, I can have open dialogue with those I disagree with and would be educated in different positions. But lately it seems as if everyone (including myself) have been sucked into this war of words and how many raves you have and so forth. I used to come on Sodahead to release steam and to get my political conversation fix but now it has become a political nightmare. Is this what the country is all about? I do admit that I too have spent many long hours neglecting my husband to come on and try to have civilized discussions as well as educate and be educated... but does anyone come on to be educated anymore? It seems people have turned this site into a gang zone where people send their friends to gang up on one Sodahead because of their views in the name of patriotism. But how is persecuting one for their beliefs considered to be patriotism in a country that was founded by those escaping this very act? I realize that I too am guilty of some of this behavior and have wasted way too much time on Sodahead debating in useless debates. A lot of this is due to my move from Los Angeles away from all my family and friends. It's been such a difficult transition for me because I come from a very big family and we are so very close. My husband has a schedule which isn't conducive to mine, leaving me alone in a rural town where I obviously don't fit in. Perhaps I was spoiled in Los Angeles with all it's diversity and excitement and being in a place like Ocala is not stimulating, to say the least. That's why we are finally doing the big move to NYC. Not only is my stepson there but I will once again be in a city that is alive and assorted with many types of people. A rural town is no place for a city gal hence the long hours on Sodahead. Though when I come on Sodahead, I want to learn and teach. I am a student at heart which is why I chose the teaching profession (for now) rather than pursue a career in Law. I love education and all that it entails. Although law is intriguing, it's not as rewarding as teaching a child to read or teaching children the many places in the world and what it would be like to visit these places. I come on Sodahead to take on both roles of the teacher and the student. But lately it is so filled with hate and venom that I have wondered what ever happened to the fun place in which I released my steam? Why has it been the place that causes annoyance? If you want to be the Messiah of raves, go for it. This is cyberspace, you can be whatever you want. If you are not being fulfilled in your daily life as to come on and find some type of acceptance then who am I to judge? More power to you. If you want a win on Sodahead, then I will gladly give it to you. I would rather win in my husband's heart and the hearts of the children I teach. If you feel like you are a better Sodahead, then be the better Sodahead. I would rather be a better person in the REAL world rather than the CYBER. So I guess what I say to all those that want to continue a war, continue it if it makes you feel good about yourself. I prefer a more meaning way of gratification through my career and humanitarian work. I prefer to use Sodahead as a place to exchange interesting viewpoints and educate and be educated and of course meet new friends along the way!