Evan Lovely's Site

Thoughts on Facebook and Other Mediums of Communication

Evan Lovely — Mon, 10 May 2010 02:14:46 +0000

I'm beginning to get worried about our reliance on Facebook as our only method of communication with those close in our lives. Anybody that knows me knows that I'm a fan of the ways Social Networks, especially Facebook, allow us to revive and keep alive connections that would of atrophied away under classic circumstances, where friends afar can fade away. However, I believe that Facebook should only be an extra layer of communication added onto the ones we already have: phone conversations, texts, emails, letters, and most importantly: face to face conversation.

Facebook's wonderful for giving those broad announcements of general activity in one's life to a semi-closed circle of friends and family. It allows everyone to kinda keep up with other's lives, and this should be used as a stepping stone for the next time you communicate with someone: the phone call where you get to ask your buddy about how the rock climbing trip was that you saw pictures of on Facebook, the text where you ask your friend if they're still planning on going to that show tonight, the conversation over coffee that can skip the question: "What have you been up to for the past year?", and can get right into how they are now and can listen to some of their more personal thoughts about the last year.

The convenience and nearly ubiquitous use in friend circles makes Facebook the medium with the least amount of resistance and the most amount of return for time invested. Communication should not be funneled through a single medium. None of them can properly capture what is going on in one's life. Each medium has it's advantages & disadvantages. Using only one sacrifices certain aspects. Together, they can provide a more clear picture.

So what am I doing about this in my life? I call a friend when I see an important status update to congratulate or console. I try to call and video chat more with far away friends. And I don't post everything that happens in my life on Facebook so I can save some really good stories for the friends that do call. What do you think about this? How has Facebook changed the way you communicate with others, both for the better and worse? I'd love to hear your thoughts in the comments below.

I'm moving to Portland

Evan Lovely — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 18:53:38 +0000

I'm moving out of Missoula, MT to Portland, OR this week. I've been looking forward to this move for about 3 years now and am now in the position to be able to make it out. For my entire life I've watched the rest of the world run while Montana walks. Fortunately, the Internet is awesome and I've been able to keep up (that and traveling out many times). But let's face it, that's like running on a treadmill at home, while you could be out with others running. That all being said, I've love Montana and the people here dearly. An appreciation for walking will always be held be my (believe it or not), and I feel that after a while running with the world, I'll implore them to slow down and soak in what is amazing around them. Sorry for the loose analogy, but it somehow feels appropriate.
Anyway, I'm currently still doing freelance Web Design work, but am looking for a part time or full time web job with an established agency. If you're interested, please visit my Portfolio and get a hold of me if interested. Other than that, I'm looking forward to soaking in the city and using that wonderful public transport to check out those amazing breweries I hear so much about (not like we don't have great beer in Montana...). Also, I'm really looking forward to driving around the surrounding 90 miles and seeing what I can see, hiking some hills, and sleeping in some old growth forests.
So if anyone's curious, here's roughly where I'm living. I threw if off a couple of blocks, so don't even think of robbing these guys after I check in on Foursquare somewhere ;)

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I went 52 mph on a Snowboard

Evan Lovely — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 00:11:27 +0000

I clocked myself using my iPhone's GPS & a 99 cent app going down Paradise at Montana Snowbowl outside Missoula. Check out the screenshot's Max Speed. So interesting to put an objective figure to a subjective feeling. I'd like to hit 55, but I don't really feel the need to go much faster than that. Something about going highway speed...

10-Raised Hands pose/Urdhva Vrikasana

Evan Lovely — Sat, 27 Feb 2010 18:46:26 +0000

Inhale the arms all the way up, looking up at the ceiling, keeping the chin and forehead even. Shoulders rolled back.

11-Mountain pose/Samasthiti

Evan Lovely — Sat, 27 Feb 2010 18:46:26 +0000

Exhale the arms to the side, shoulders rolled back, heels slightly apart, toes touching. Then you would inhale up again, repeating this series of poses 5 times.

Ashtanga Yoga Cheat Sheets

Evan Lovely — Sat, 27 Feb 2010 18:46:26 +0000

Here's some very basic notes on Sun Salutation A & B, and the Standing Asanas of Ashtanga Yoga. Very basic. Hope it helps.

5-Plank pose/Tadasana

Evan Lovely — Sat, 27 Feb 2010 18:46:25 +0000

Keeping the hands on the mat, exhale and jump the feet back to the end of the mat, then sink downward till the elbows are 90 degrees. Keep the shoulders rolled back and the entire body straight. Some look forward, some look down. Both are correct. I currently look forward.

2-Raised Hands Pose/Hasta Uttanasana

Evan Lovely — Sat, 27 Feb 2010 18:46:25 +0000

Inhale the arms up, while looking up. In the pose your palms are touching, your forehead and chin are in line with the ceiling and your shoulders are rolled back.

6-Upward Dog/Urdhva Mukha Svanasana

Evan Lovely — Sat, 27 Feb 2010 18:46:24 +0000

Inhale up, rolling over the toes, and look back, arching the spine. Only the palms of the hands and the tops of the feet should be touching the mat. Look up as far as you can with your eyes.

4-Forward Bend B/Uttanasana B

Evan Lovely — Sat, 27 Feb 2010 18:46:23 +0000

Inhale the back straight while looking up, attempting to keep the tips of the fingers on the mat.

7-Downward Dog/Adho Mukha Svanasana

Evan Lovely — Sat, 27 Feb 2010 18:46:23 +0000

Exhale, rolling over the toes, taking the heels toward the mat. Push with the arms, straightening the back, and pulling the pelvis back and up. There should be a straight line along your arms and up your spine. Look in between your feet. Hold this for 5 full breaths.

8-Forward Bend B/Uttanasana B

Evan Lovely — Sat, 27 Feb 2010 18:46:22 +0000

Inhale, jumping forward, and straightening your back, looking forward slightly.

9-Forward Bend A/Uttanasana A

Evan Lovely — Sat, 27 Feb 2010 18:46:21 +0000

Exhale, folding in towards the legs, looking through the knees.

3-Forward Bend A/Uttanasana A

Evan Lovely — Sat, 27 Feb 2010 18:46:21 +0000

Exhale the arms down and look towards the knees, curling the back in. It is OK to place the hands on the shins, but try and lay the hands flat on the mat if you can.

1-Mountain Pose/Samasthithi

Evan Lovely — Sat, 27 Feb 2010 18:46:20 +0000

This is the starting point, and the ending point. Shoulders rolled back, toes touching, heels slightly apart.