Reeism.com

Thiago Lopes

Life is all about the details. We worry about the hours we are caught in traffic, the moments we waste on chit chat, the time it takes to do chores, and so forth. All of these necessary evils take time from the true details that we need to concentrate on. All these things help determine bigger and larger things and all effect the quality of life we have.

Details. Details are what differentiates us from being normal to extraordinary. Continue ree-ding → → →

I have held out on buying a helmet for bike riding because I thought that all helmets were the void of style despite the fact that I acknowledged that safety should be number one.  I realize that safety is crucial for anyone that respects and values their life however, I could not bring myself to buy one of those alien helmets that they offer adults to buy for their favorite past time.

After a little research and some crazy stories,  I have decided to purchase a helmet. Here are the statistics that I have found…

1.  716 bicyclists died on US roads in 2008 (698 in 2007, 1,003 in 1975) they had it coming to them.

2. Bicyclist deaths represented 2 per cent of all 2008 traffic fatalities. seems to be so minimal

3.  One-seventh of the cyclists killed were between 5 and 15 years old. not me.

4. Average age of a bicyclist injured on US roads: 31

Now let me stop here at this particular statistic. This one has hit home even more so because despite my sensitivity having hit thirty. I realized that despite how disgusting thirty sounds to me, not reaching thirty one sounds that much more horrific.

5. Alcohol involvement was reported in 37% of 2008 deaths. well now, here is a problem. Alcohol is included in my daily ritual atleast 37% or more. Okay more than that…but probably only 37% of my life!  But after all, I am a self loathing wierdo.

6. Nearly one fourth (23%) of the cyclists killed were drunk. (BAC over .08 g.dl) uh oh.

7. Fatal crashes typically were urban (69%) and at intersections (64%). I live in a city! Now I know that my cats have been plotting to knock me off and that was always how I expected to go. However, now these statistics show a possibility of a new fate. I can not even count how many intersections that I have crossed and surely, with every passing intersection is a close pass on a possible fatal crash. Continue ree-ding → → →

Friendship-The difference from an acquaintance to a friend is significant. An acquaintance is a person that you know and have friendly accord with. You may have shared some minor experiences and good times with and it creates a general rapport between that person and yourself. I find that most people suddenly are quick to call these people “friends.”  In the web world, on social networking sites…we are quick to call people friends. The criteria that defines a person as friend is very limited. Facebook calls acquaintances “friends”. Myspace also refers to anyone whom is in your address book as “friend”.  Twitter refers to acquaintances as “followers”. LinkedIn calls them “contacts”. Ning refers to them as “friends”.  Friendster calls them, yes you guessed it “Friends”.  Bebo, yet another site…refers to them as “friends”.

So here it is-we over qualify individuals as our “friends” when most likely, 75% of these folks are merely acquaintances.

Friends in the real world are defined very differently. Friendships are based on shared experiences, interests, and amiable accord that hinges on some degree of trust between the two people. There normally is a mutual knowledge, esteem, and affection based on respect for each other. With this said, why do social networks believe that they can call someone who links to your profile as a “friend”? There is very little commitment in the virtual world.   Virtual relationships hinge on different needs. They are in no way less important than real friendships. Social networking allows people to connect to individuals via the internet that they may not normally be able to connect to. These virtual relationships allow people to connect to humanity in a new way that has never happened before.

However, are we losing our way? At the browse of my computer or phone, I am able to see what all of my “friends” are doing and how their life is progressing with little exchange. I am able to obtain a snapshot of them and connect with them without ever doing so. Is this greater connection isolating us and taking away necessary human contact and interaction that connects us as human?

There has been an incredible national interest since the Brad Pitt initiative to help rebuild New Orleans. He has taken it to another plane and partnered with an architect firm called RightFrame.  RightFrame is green modular architect firm that makes modest green homes for an affordable rate. The concept emerged post the aftermath of hurricanes Rita and Katrina. GlobalGreenUsa and several other environmental groups began to research rebuilding these areas using an affordable and sustainable building techniques paired with quality design. The incubator workshopapd, a residential design firm in NYC realized that this building project would be able to take steps forward in the US to make green building a new trend.

More recently, Dwell magazine has partnered with Method Homes to design a series of great designs for minimal dollars per square foot. Minimalist houses with a great impact and a small footprint on the environment are changing the view on building as we know it.

For an interesting read, please visit Dwell.com for contacts to their designs. However, there is a great deal of chatter on the net in relation to green modular. I find that Dwell has the best over view and some great designs to begin your research.

so here it is. i am back. remembering my roots. remembering my goals. i speak but does anyone hear what i have to say? does anyone care? so here we are, standing on the new frontier. echoes bouncing off the cliffs in the distance and reverbing back to me.

finding home. finding family. found love. found myself. knowing. just needing. wanting. and hoping. fingers crossed and heart left in waiting.

um hello?

hello…does anyone hear me?