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Group Messaging, The 2nd Law, and the Tarp Revisited



Remember the countless hours we—I’m assuming most of my readers are probably people my age or older, sorry—spent on MSN Messenger? Thank goodness those days are over. Keep that thought in mind.

The only smart phone I’ve ever owned is the iPhone I’m still using today. The iPhone 3GS. Feel free to ridicule me endlessly; however, I can’t justify buying a $600 phone every year or agreeing to a new two-year contract. I don’t like to feel dependent on or trapped by a company. Or anything for that matter. However, admittedly I am addicted to my iPhone. Not having a cell phone until I was a teenager and living through the progression of cell phones from clunky things that could only call, and then text, to sleek mini-computers that can access the internet (!) makes me appreciate how amazing my “outdated” phone is compared to the past. There are honestly times when I’m not sure I could live without it—I need instant access to time-sensitive emails, sports scores, breaking news, etc.

However, the technology I take most advantage of on my iPhone is group messaging. Sometimes I wonder if other people do the same thing: my cousins (and I have a lot of first cousins, if you know anything about my family) and I have a group message that started years ago—not even sure why; most definitely something to do with sports—but it has never ended. It’s a continually running discourse that spans the gamut of life. Honestly I can’t remember a day in the last two years where I didn’t have an in-depth discussion with one of my cousins about something. Having moved away from my hometown, group messaging has really allowed me to stay in contact with the people who mean the most to me.

Some of the best ideas of my life have spawned from these conversations. As you read, my cousins and I are discussing my latest grand idea (I have a lot of ideas but little creativity and fewer resources). A project you might hear more about in the future.

I said all of that to say this: It’s like a grownup version of MSN Messenger. Without people that you don’t want to talk to, fake female profiles, or annoying emoticons (actually, as surprising as it may sound, grown men use emoticons occasionally). Luckily my aspirations have changed since the days of MSN Messenger and there’s an even more efficient technology for expressing my ideas.

In my first blog I mentioned I was trying to decide whether I wanted to buy the new Muse album, The 2nd Law. Speaking of technology, there is so much technology today that I can’t keep up. Often I forget about technologies and programs that are useful because of the sheer volume of those available. I realized today that I didn’t have to buy the new album without knowing if I’d like it …because I can listen to the entire album for free on Spotify. Duh.

So, as I’ve been writing, I’ve been listening to The 2nd Law. I’ve only listened to the album in its entirety once, so I reserve the right to change my opinion. But it’s definitely not my favorite Muse album. I really enjoyed the album’s first single “Madness,” which has the Queen-y sound of Muse that I like. Also, I always enjoy the instrumental pieces that Muse usually features at the end of its albums—“The 2nd Law: Unsustainable” and “The 2nd Law: Isolated System” on this album. This time the band did something a little different, though. “Unsustainable” is Muse’s attempt at dubstep. I’m not a dubstep fanboy (these are the kind of words I cringe at using) by any means—although I have listened to the usual suspects, Skillrex and deadmau5—but I enjoyed the song. Maybe the album will grow on me as I continue to listen to it. As of now, I still prefer Muse’s last album, The Resistance.

Oh, before I forget, some readers expressed frustration that I ended yesterday’s blog without further explanation of the tarp. I apologize, but as of now I haven’t solved the mystery. Which also means I haven’t encountered any psychos, thieves, or Mr. Former Resident. I’m working on conspiracy theories as speak. My wife does have brand new bicycle that we chain in front of our place. Maybe someone wanted to steal the bike? But it makes little sense to store the bolt cutters one night and come back to actually steal the bike another night. Unless…they needed to time formulate a way to transport the bike. To be continued…
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