From where an entire generation learned about "tucking"

Silence of the Lambs is EASILY one of the most disturbing movies of our generation, if not, ever made. It took creepy to a whole new level, and introduced us all to a new genre of the sick and twisted - without being a blood and gore chop house movie. After seeing it for the first time, I don't think I slept for weeks. And I'm telling you to THIS DAY I won't go near vans.

Yet somewhere along the way, a generation that was terrorized by Hannibal Lecter and his penchant for brains with a side of kidney beans and nice 'kee-ant-e' has started incorporating lines and scenes from the horrific tale into their daily lives. Really, for the longest time I thought it was only Jason, his ex-roommate Tom and I that would enter into fits of giggles when one of said "PUT THE FUCKING LOTION IN THE BASKET!" But slowly I learned that I was wrong. The mind-freak of SOTL has invaded us all. The once chill inducing tale that was SO WRONG on SO MANY different levels is now part of our generation's pop culture. As witnessed by scenes like this from Clerks 2:

Honestly, tell me you did not laugh your ass off at that.

We are a sad, demented generation.

Conversations

Do you ever have a conversation with a friend that is so unique that at that very moment you know why you are friends with that person? One of those talks that almost no one else would even "get", but more likely would think you are totally and 100% insane/superficial/need to be committed? I had one of those conversations yesterday with my friend Maria, a conversation that I can't even begin to repeat here because really, there are only 2-3 other people in my life that would even find it amusing and not just think I'm a complete lunatic.

But it made me start thinking about all  the wonderful things about my girl friends. Each one of them is so different and so unique and has such different perspectives on life and situations.  Some I immediately go to for career and work issues, some I go to for parenting issues, some fashion talks and others to relive my youth or try to figure out what is still cool. Each of my girlfriends, whether I talk to them daily/weekly/monthly holds a special place in my heart and life, and I'm truly lucky to have each and everyone of them in my life.

It's all about the social networking sites

A huge buzz word in PR these days is "social networking". The way that people are using the Internet has changed so radically in the past few years, everyone is now jumping on the bandwagon of "the next big Internet craze", which is the magnitude of social sites. MySpace, Facebook - they have offered a way to connect with people - friends, family, people you never thought you would ever hear from again, and business people are jumping at trying to create revenue generating models from this new wave of Internet procrastination.

But that's not really new news, as blog readers you all know this. But lately, I've been finding myself everywhere. MySpace, Facebook, LinkedIn, WorkItMom!, my profile and background is there for everyone to connect to. My latest one is GoodReads (see side bar widget), a social book club. My friend Maria sent me the link and I thought, why not? I like to see what others are reading and people are always asking me what I'm reading.

What about you? What sites are you on? What are your favorites and what do you think is going to be the NEXT.BIG.THING?