Friday Favorites - Part III (Texting, Flags, and Bathing Suits... Oh My!)

Happy Friday!

I admit to spending much of the week hiding from the internet as people spewed all kinds of vitriol at each other. It's been like watching an emotionally charged virtual game of "Capture the Flag", while I sit back and wonder what is really at stake. What real changes happen over the demise of an inanimate symbol? Which side do you cheer for when you think that both sides are behaving like angry little toddlers squabbling over a toy? ("It's hate!"  "No! It's heritage!" sounds a lot like, "It's mine!"  "No! It's mine" when you step back and listen.) Maybe both sides have some legitimate points... but of course no one is listening because they are too busy trying to be right.

Or maybe there are more important things we should be paying attention to. Maybe there are better ways to invest our energy than petty internet squabbles.

But I digress.

In spite of trying to hide from the internet this week, I was still able to stumble across these internet gems. Did find anything really worth reading? Shoot me a link in the comments.

The Texting Dead: 14 Ways We Are More Borg Than Human. Tracy Bennett shares her list of ways that technology has taken over our lives. Is it a drug or a tool? Will it be our planet's greatest hope or its demise? Maybe we should pull ourselves away from our screens, take a look up at the sky, and ponder in our own technology-scarred brains.

Every State Flag Is Wrong, And Here Is Why. Speaking of flags, Alexandra Petri lists the fifty worst state flags in her hilarious article. Definitely a lighter look at the flag issue. Beverage Spew Warning: Put down your coffee (or beverage of choice) before reading. This one is hysterical.

We Tried On Victoria's Secret Bathing Suits And This Is What Happened. I'm sharing this one because I had occasion to feel self-conscious in a bathing suit this week. Lara Parker and the women of the BuzzFeed staff tried on bathing suits and posed like Victoria's Secret models. The pictures are not nearly as funny or thought provoking as the commentary, so you're actually going to have to break down and read this one.

How Siblings Affect Your Success According To Science. This is definitely an interesting read from Dr. Jonathan Caspi. I'll admit to being a bit frightened at the idea that my children may have more influence on each other's ultimate success than I do. I've heard their sibling interactions which are often brutal and physical. Unless they are all hoping to be professional MMA fighters, we might be in trouble. Of course, I'll still be front and center and screaming louder than anyone at their fights. I'm particularly horrible sports mom.

Friday Favorites - The Sequel

It's time for Friday Favorites - The Sequel. (Insert dramatic movie music here.)

Here's the stuff I found on the internet this week that I think is worth your time. I've sifted through this week's internet media garbage to find the good stuff. Give it a read... And if you've found something that you think is worth my time, leave a link in the comments.

Ten Things We Did As Children That Would Get You In Big Trouble Today. Lina Brice pretty much sums up my childhood, including toy guns, dangerous metal playground equipment, and  carefree neighborhood bike riding. Unplug for a minute and reminisce (Well... unplug AFTER you read this article). Is there anything on this list we need to bring back?

11 Questions I Want To Ask Women Who Use the Diva Cup. Melissa Kirsch asks some funny and thought-provoking questions. I'm a fairly environmentally conscious human being. I buy local and am an obsessive recycler... but I haven't been able to take the Diva cup plunge because... well, because of these eleven questions. ( And I'm probably irrationally afraid of my own blood.)

36,000 Kung Fu Kids Star in M.I.A and Gener8tion's New Video. This might be the coolest thing I've seen in a while. The precision. The discipline. The beauty. These kids train like fiends. Makes my kids' morning routine of cheap breakfast cereal, Disney Channel, and chronic whining seem incredibly sub par.

What Makes YOU Want To Quit Blogging. I'm sharing this one because 1) JoAnne Applebaugh seriously shows off her incredible writing skills here and 2) I have this rant in my head at least a dozen times a week. The houseplants are probably sick of my blog-related complaining.

Friday Favorites - The Inaugural Edition

Welcome to Different Than Average's very first and fabulous Friday Favorites. (I absolutely adore alliteration!... actually I haven't finished my coffee yet, so I'm compensating by being annoyingly perky. It's my grumpy morning method of being slightly passive aggressive.)

Here are the things I've tripped over online this week that I think are worth your time. I know that your time is precious. Now you don't have to sift through all the meaningless garbage and stupid cat memes to get to the good stuff. You're welcome.

The Grief In Growing Up. On this Huffington Post feature, Catharine Naja poignantly expresses the simultaneous pain and pride that comes with parenting growing children. I needed a tissue (but I am admittedly suffering from seasonal allergies).

I Went Paleo And Now I Hate Everything. I needed a tissue for this one, not because I'm sentimental, but because Gerladine DeRuiter is freakin' hilarious. She even includes a recipe for Carrot Cake Cookies (AKA Pucks of Suffering) that you absolutely do NOT want to make even though they are flavored with the salt of your own tears. We went Paleo a few years ago, and I can relate to so very much of this.

An African American Woman Reflects on the Transgender Movement. Nuriddeen Knight presents some interesting points to ponder. This article dredged up a few painful memories from my own childhood - being judged and ranked based on a predetermined set of rather arbitrary social criteria - and falling short in parental eyes as well as the culture at large. Worth a read no matter your stance on transgender issues.

Playing With Legos Is More Valuable Than Learning Algebra. Isaac Morehouse recounts his numerous Lego creations and the real and valuable life skills they helped him develop. The point isn't that learning Algebra is a waste of time, but that kids learning and doing things of their own choosing, in their own way and in their own time, can be more valuable than we might imagine. It kinda makes all of those late night barefooted escapades through my children's Lego minefields seem almost worth it.