internet excursions

Sometimes I wonder what the world would be like without the internet.

Deep right? (kidding...) 

I would like to say that what I contemplate are things like how literacy rates, political power, or  information transfer would be effected. But my thoughts are usually more along the lines of "What would I do if I still had to remember how to spell stuff?" or "So THAT'S what vegemite is, thanks Google!" However my most common contemplation by far is:

How much more productive would I be if I wasn't engulfed in this black hole of information?

Sadly, the answer is probably: "WAY more productive."

But thankfully the rest of the world is just as addicted as I am, so at least we're all in this together.

I even feel closer to you all already, it's as though we're one big happy family.

psyke

I don't know you people, why would I want to be related to you? 

Heck, I already have relatives I wish I didn't know.

Now I'm getting way off topic.

Sorry about that...

So anyway,
I can never seem to get online to do just 'one thing.'

I mean I try. I really do. 

I always start out innocently- 'oh I'll just check my email before starting my homework.'

But one click leads to another, leads to another, leads to another,

and before I know it I'm reading an article on Swedish oatmeal. 

(yes it exists, and sounds quite lovely I must say)

I'm sure it is something we all do. After all, someone has to be putting all those random things out there in the first place. We do it almost all the time, online and offline. 

 BUT wait. a. minute-

stop the presses 

I'm actually about to reference something from the class for which this very blog was created.

Mind maps! 

(100pts to Ravenclaw for actually applying learned material in other areas!)

Yes, when I say 'mind map' I am referring to the idea sparking tool your fifth grade teacher made you use. But if you drop the elementary school context, mind maps can actually be incredibly useful tools to help get ideas going for whatever you're working on.
They also perfectly describe the online habits I am talking about. 

And as with mind maps, half the fun of getting online is looking back later and following your random trail of thought that led you so far away. 

That is actually why I wrote this post. (took me a while to get here though didn't it... sorry)

Earlier today I paused mid-Google, and thought "How in the heck did I end up here?"

Which led me to my browser history, which led to the realization of all that I said above-

and amusement at some of the places I had been all day. 

So I thought I would take to the blogosphere and try to make a habit of every now and then sharing a few of the odd items that make their way onto my screen each day. 

Hopefully you'll find them interesting, or even slightly amusing. Hopefully not alarming, but then again who knows. 

Seeing as this is my first entry I went back a few days for even more examples. And for proof that I didn't just go to random sites so that I could put them on this list. 

I won't bore you with explanations (thats a first huh?) of how I ended up at each destination- Instead I'll just list the best ones of the day. 

Now, without further delay, I present to you: internet excursions. 

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(September 15th)

What your salad dressing says about you!

Stained glass windows for sale

YouTube-1998 Furby Commercial 

Swiss oatmeal

(September 14th)

Precautions bicyclists should take for dove season

Red Bull durby racing

(September 13th) 

Debate on traditional vs. simplified Chinese characters

White board coating paint

Britney Spears learns 'Gangnam Style' from Psy

(September 12)  

Lukoil franchises publicize $9.00 gas in protest

(September 11)

Martha Stewart's microwave baked apples 

'How to' information on vending machines  

(September 10)

The history of gothic type fonts

(September 9)

Google images 'HD picture of Walmart'

Old Neopets electronic toys

10+ uses for  dry erase markers

(September 8)

Home depot suspension rods

Lay's flavor creation contest

Morgan Freeman is alive

Flaws in organic food studies

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It's really a shame that I have such a horrible memory.
I could have been excellent at answering random game show questions.
Who Wants to be a Millionaire!?
Pshh. Child's play.

Warmest of Regards,
Lauren