1/28/13

Facebook-Conformity & Groupthink

Grid_GroupThink2

I just finished my first prerequisite course – Fundamentals in Psychology – with an A+ I might add, and some of the concepts that we discussed in the class came to mind when I logged into the Book of the Face.

 

What I noticed was that Fac.e.book would make a great closed environment for a scientific social psychology study of conformity and groupthink.

 

Conformity – the act of yielding to social pressure; of matching attitudes, beliefs and behaviors to the group norm.

 

Groupthink – a phenomenon that occurs in groups where the desire for conformity; for consensus results in incorrect decision making or loss of ability for critical evaluation. The pressure to conform prevents debate; eliminates critical thinking.

 

FA.CE.BOOK = GROUPTHINK …A LOT and heaven forbid you are a non-conformist and/or actually apply critical thinking to a subject…more often than not you will be driven from that discussion, beat down, denigrated, insulted, blocked, unfriended. Happens all the time. If you don’t see it – perhaps you have succumbed to groupthink. You might just be conforming to the group.

 

Think about it. Do you just watch what others post – yeah, those opinionated post that get under your skin, that just make one-sided point without any discussion and also offer no solutions because you don’t want to rock the boat; make your friend mad; offer a solution that may raise the ire of said friend?

 

Do you just click like or add you affirmative comment; cosigning that picture/opinion/political piece without offering any context?

 

Do you enter into the discussion in the affirmative and then when someone else offers a dissenting opinion you jump down that persons throat with name calling, shade slinging and condescending quips in order to show how dumb and out of step with “mainstream” thinking that person is?

 

Have you ever been in the midst of an interesting yet heated debate on FB and just sat idly by saying NOT A DAMN THING in the thread while someone debating outside of  thought “norms” gets thrashed, but then contact them privately to commiserate? OH YEAH! I’ve seen that one. Heaven forbid you go against the thread norm and publicly come to the defense of the outlier. INTERESTING.

 

I didn’t have words to put to the phenomenon until after taking this class, debating with my classmates and watching videos of the results from some studies on conformity & obedience. Interesting stuff. Food for thought.

 

So…what say you? Can you see the groupthink and conformist nature of FB?

Inauguration Celebration Weekend

What a great weekend!

MetroInaug

My girlfriend, MsPattey came in town and, as usual, we were ripping and running from the moment she got off the plane embarking on our adventure. I picked her up at the airport and we headed straight for the metro to go downtown to the Official Inauguration Souvenir Store. We bought some buttons, a great set of highball glasses and some other doodads; however, they were running some serious inauguration extortion in the “official” store. There were plenty of of stands and shops around with much more reasonable prices to partake in…especially if you wanted a bobble head of any President you could think of.

                      IMG_2437IMG_2438

IMG_2443

The next day we spent the day at Pentagon City Mall and, well, let’s say, some bargains were found and dollars were spent. I haven’t shopped like that in FOREVER! It was a blast. We shopped for so long that we damn near passed out from lack of sustenance ending up at Harry’s in the mall where we proceed to eat like savages. Not a word was said as we consumed inhaled our burgers. Not one word.

 

Sunday morning we had brunch at National Harbor – my BloodyMary was AWESOME and shopped some more. Later that evening, we went to a Pre-Inauguration Party at the Navy Yard. Another fabulous time with friends and we even got to meet James Cotton, Tuskegee Airman who had recently received a Tuskegee Airmen Congressional Gold Medal. What a treat!

       DSC00409 - CopyIMG_2503

Monday morning came around real fast and it was time to head down to the Inauguration ceremony. Tickets in hand, we boarded the metro and headed downtown to make our way to the Gold Ticket holder security checkpoint. It was just amazing how many people simply did NOT read the back of their ticket which said in big letters what your could and could not bring into the security area. Somebody got a huge donation of chairs, coolers, backpacks and a host of other items that were CLEARLY marked prohibited.

 

READING IS FUNDAMENTAL.

 

Getting through our checkpoint was like being in a heard of sheep, but went pretty smoothly and quickly. We were in the gold section by 9:30am and then it was a hurry up and wait situation. We kept ourselves busy taking pictures, talking to people and taking in the scenery – the pomp & circumstance of the day.

                    IMG_2520IMG_2524

This was the first inauguration I had ever been to. Pretty damn neat. Watching on the TV is warm and all, but actually being there – a much more tangible, emotional moment. I was glad I was part of the experience; glad to be sharing it with my girlfriend.

 

While the getting in was pretty easy, the getting out and back to the metro station was a whole different story. It took us an hour to get 2 blocks. From 3rd & C to D street and the Federal Center Metro. The line at the metro was unbelievable! We decided to walk back to L’Enfant Plaza station and when we got there, the line/crowd was even larger and not moving. Apparently, the station was closed for reasons were not privy to. (Found out later that it was temporarily shut down due to overcrowding) Melt down time…both MsPattey and I only had about 10% power on our phones and we needed to find the closest metro stop that might be open. We ended up walking from L’Enfant Plaza to the Waterfront metro (about 10 LONG AZZ blocks) and we were on our way back home.

 

By time we got back to the house – EXHAUSTED – we had barely enough time to get ready and back on the metro to go to the Ambassadors Ball.

MetroBall

              AmbassadorBall AmbassadorBallPattey

We weren’t the only people in all their black tie finery on the Metro and we weren’t the only ladies wearing a pair of fold up ballet slippers (or just plain slippers) to walk from the Metro to the Convention Center or Carnegie Library. It was wonderful seeing all of “the beautiful” people out and about in all their finery – Imma need some people to wear a damn coat – and to mix and mingle. We saw Miss USA and Miss Teen USA at the Ambassadors Ball along with a bunch of other dignitaries from all over the world…didn’t know not a near one, but who cares. It was a Ball!

 

Another TravelDiva & HandiHOTness Adventure!!!

1/18/13

Girls Gone Wild–Inauguration 2013 Edition

582473_10151361283944630_2104805775_nGird your loins, sports fans. The HandyHOTness team is about to embark on another adventure. My Top Mafia BFF MsPattey is coming to town courtesy of a Christmas Gift of an airline ticket to attend the inauguration festivities from her son. It was so cool when he contacted me and asked if I thought she would like that as a gift.

 

Stop…really. OF COURSE! And once the plans were finalized I got busy putting together ANOTHER GIRLS GONE WILD ADVENTURE!

 

We have certainly been on a bunch of them together over the past 25 years…The NYC Weekend where I got the side eye of death from the security guard for treating the “art” at MOMA like furniture…well, it WAS furniture; how was I to know that I wasn’t supposed to open the doors or sit on it. The Hilton Head Trip where we went jet skiing and to this day we still refer to what glee looks like as what we looked like on those jet ski’s.Then there was the Las Vegas Trip where we rode out to the Grand Canyon and then took a helicopter ride back into Vegas…and I just HAD to touch all the buttons and dials – MsPattey thought I was gonna kill her for sure. The Cancun Mexico Trip and the vague memories of the Party Tour – vague cause we were shit faced…I think.

photo

I walk around my house and look at the signed Annie Lee that we got on a girlfriend weekend to Chicago – where we hunted down her gallery – I get goose bumps. A lifetime of memories.

 

We are about to embark on another adventure to add to all these wonderful memories AND I CAN’T WAIT. Stay tuned as GIRLS GONE WILD – 2013 INAUGURATION EDITION unfolds. Souvenir shopping, Mall Shopping, Lunch, Brunch, A Gala, The Ambassadors Ball and tickets to the Inauguration has the making of some great stories & great times!

1/17/13

Blazing Belezza Nera

IMG_2403

As you recall, I must have been a real good girl last year, as Santa Baby brought me a brand new race bike for Christmas.

 

She was a beauty! I was so excited and she even came with a high speed fitting called RETUL. I was stoked.

 

I hauled her over to the bike shop the first opportunity I had after Christmas and as soon as I walked in the door of Race Pace, one of the technicians said, “We are going to have to exchange that bike out for you. It’s WAAAAYY to big. Looking at you, you shouldn’t be on anything bigger than about a 47cm.”

 

I was clutching a 54cm. Lip trembling. My Dominique Diva was a 52cm. But, but…

 

The technicians started pulling out other Trek’s at 47cm and 49cm, put me on a trainer and well, yeah, the 47cm fit like a glove actually.

 

“Who fit you for your current bike?”, the man asked. All I could do was give that doe eyed look cause see, what had happened was, see, I was broke and bought the cheapest bike I could above Dicks & ToysRUs (Introducing Dominque Diva Dawes) and see, like I just kinda went with that chart online and then put it together myself and then like only had a seat adjustment…

 

Bike Man - “Tsk, tsk, tsk. Been having some trouble and challenging rides, huh?” 

Me - “Yeah, well I made it do what it do and TODAY is a NEW DAY, NEW BIKE.

BM – “That it is, let’s find you the right one for you.”

 

WOO HOO!! GO ME!

 

We settled on the 2013 Trek Madone 3.1 WSD – I have named her Blazing Bellezza Nera (Blazing Black Beauty).

trek-madone-31-c-wsd-2013-womens-road-bike

And she is definitely a beauty and for the price point and what I want to do – blazing fast for me. It took about a week for her to come in and I immediately went over to Race Pace to get my custom RETUL fitting. RETUL is a “state-of-the-art motion 3Dcapture bike fit system” and I thought it was awesome! The gentleman who did my fitting was also a paramedic and he actually took a look at hip alignment, checked to see if one leg/arm was longer than the other and several other measurements before hooking me up to the 3D capture system as those things would have to be compensated for in order to have a proper fit.

     Belezzaretule3

          photo 1photo 4

It took almost 2 hours of spinning with the monitors on me to get all the measurements/angles down to the mm. I was served gatorade and kept pedaling, stopping, adjusting till he – and I – was satisfied.

retule1 photo 5

retule

He gave it over the bike mechanics to make sure everything was tightened down and aligned and I took her home.

 

Blazing Bellezza and me! I have only had her out on the rode once since I brought her home. TIP – read the manual before hand so you know how to change the gears before you are on a road with traffic or a hill. It helps…just sayin.

 

Compared to Diva Dawes, Bellezza is LIGHTER – significantly. Faster. The saddle fits like a glove and the pressure I used to feel is gone. My girl parts are thankful. I was able to climb in a mid range gear whereas on my old bike I HAD to get into the lowest gear or I was going to stroke out …or fall over. So far, I’m in love. I still have lots of work to do – a new bike does not make me an instant podium candidate – but she sure is gonna be helpful in getting closer to some PR’s. I want to take her out on the BWI/B&A Trail where I won’t run into so much traffic to see what I can really do on her. Time will tell.

 

I highly recommend that you get a complete and extensive bike fit. Even if you don’t get a new bike, take the one you have and get measured and fitted. It will make the world of difference.

 

Stay tuned for this year’s adventure of the Traveling Diva and Blazing Bellezza Nera.

1/11/13

Just Random–Thoughts Happen

got_thoughts

Happy New Year! A lot has happened in these first 10+ days of the new year at True Blessings. WHEW! I could probably write a post about each unique event but time has been limited. I’m going to just share some of the things that have popped into my head…Just Random Stuff :

 

  • I got a promotion at work and the 1st day was Jan 2nd. We had a year beginning meeting this week where I met everyone in my region and in my district team. SIGH
    • There definitely are NOT any diversity goals in my region since I was the only person of any color out of 53 people.
    • The was a goal for achieving the most khaki or bad blond highlights – it was reached.
    • The amount of information I’m having to learn is EXACTLY like drinking from a fire hose.
    • Toledo, OH for a training class in Feb? SERIOUSLY?
  • I went to an Vision Board Party last Saturday and it was a wonderful experience. visionboardI took it rather seriously and was amazed at how random pictures, phrases and items that I only picked because they struck a cord with me came together to create my 2013 Vision. What were some of my take always?
    • The ladies I shared this experience with were all awesome!
    • My vision is MY Vision for ME. Everybody had great, interesting things they wanted to achieve and that was great for them. My board was about me.
    • I can’t wait for the “gathering” at the end of this year to see how much of our Visions have manifested. I know they will.
  • I started the first of several perquisites I need to get accepted into a Physician Assistant/Masters in Public Health program. January 2nd was a very eventful day. Promotion & School.
    • I’m THAT old lady that sits in the front row of class with her hand dandy notebook, pen & highlighters – taking copious notes.
    • We spent the 1st hour of class with an icebreaker where you had to tell your name, why you’re in class and something unique. REALLY?
      • Major is communication, yet you mumble?
      • There is ALWAYS the perky kid in class that always has a story, raises their hand and says pick me!
      • Only interesting person in class is the girl who is a Junior in HS graduating early trying to find out what she wants to do with her life.
      • …then there is the DC cop majoring in nursing cause she hates being a cop.
    • So far, I have a 97.7% in the class. I be smart.
  • I can’t wait to ride my new bike. I brought her home from an awesome fitting on Monday. The plan is to take her out on Sunday. Now I just got to name him/her.

Trek

  • All those gun position meme’s people are posting…I find it amusing, and JUST DUMB, that so many people have such an absolute opinion/position defending the need to keep every single weapon on the planet, but NEVER have a position or solution on how to keep it all and yet make it harder for wacko’s to get them. I see.
  • God don’t like ugly. That mess, that snark, the negative that you do behind the scenes will eventually catch up to you. Do better, please.
  • I realizing that something(s) are going to have to give to keep family, work, school, tri-training going. TV is it. That’s what a DVR/TIVO is for.

 

  • I Dreamed a Dream…and they will come true.