Wait... What?

Random Quote: "It has become appallingly obvious that our technology has exceeded our humanity." ~Albert Einstein

***Beware: This is my rant. You are welcome to disagree. But I am ranting. That is all.***

Whatever could the brilliant man have meant by this? Obviously we are aware of our cultural phenomenon called: technology. We live it, breathe it, and play on it all day long. Sometimes it's very educational and exciting to discover new tidbits of knowledge on the iPhone, iPad, computer, television and so much more. However, when is enough, enough? 

Perhaps when we are exhausted and begin to look like real-life zombies?

I mean, don't get me wrong. Technology rocks! You can have a debate on the merits of how genius your favorite author is with someone living in another country! You can access videos, music, and your favorite books and television shows with a few clicks of your fingers. It can be a fantastic feeling. 

Addictive.

*Gulp* 

The options of online social platforms are never ending. Facebook, Twitter, Tumblr, Instagram, Pinterest, YouTube, and the list goes on...

Texting, messaging, inboxing, posting, commenting...

*Gasp!*

It can be overwhelming.  

*Sigh*

That's not my current argument though. I'm not here to tell you that technology is bad. Or even discuss the theories of what would happen if it crashes one day, for real, and then where will we all be? No, this is not a blog post about any of those things. It's a blog post about something I feel all of us have been wondering for a very long time. A post which will hit you square in the chest and demand a response! 

I see it everywhere. All over the internet. All over Facebook and various social media. It's EVERYWHERE! Anytime I get a text from a relative or a friend or see a post from somewhere, I KNOW it will be evident there. Somehow. Somewhere. Someway. It will come through. 

You know what I'm talking about.

*Wink*

All those letters that make you say, "Wait... What?"

All of those STUPID ACRONYMS!!! 

Don't get me wrong. I'm a user of the lol. A lot. However, even though I am not over the hill yet, I have no clue what half of these acronyms mean! I will be sitting in front of my laptop staring at the screen and asking, "What the heck?" 

THERE IS AN ONLINE SLANG DICTIONARY FOR CRYING OUT LOUD! 

http://www.internetslang.com/

For those of us who are trying to catch up with all the catch phrases and slang terms floating around.

What's YSVU mean? You don't know? You must be ANCIENT. It's OBVIOUS it stands for "You're So Very Welcome", right? 

No. NO, it is NOT obvious!!! 

What has happened to good old, plain written out WORDS? People around the world say how hard our language is to learn as a second language. Heck, the people who live here have a hard enough time speaking and using it. Now we're having to deal with all these acronyms???

Heaven help us all.

So, if like me, you are not savvy and up-to-date with all the random letters floating around on the internet and your cell phones these days, check out that above website. It will help you keep in the know, and it may save your life in a scary situation. You know. When a friend clicks out GMOHN! to you. Then you will know it's code for, "Get Me Outta Here Now!" Because that's one we ALL should know!

Please don't even get me started on #hashtags. Just don't. It could get ugly. 

What upsets you on the internet these days or about technology in general? Feel free to post a comment. Just remember it comes to me first before officially being posted. I'd love to hear your thoughts and frustrations! 

Keep moving forward, Friends. Even if you have no clue what everyone is talking about. 

~L&H!! :)

(~Love and Hugs!! Just in case you forgot ;)

Book Review: "Gunpowder Tea" by Margaret Brownley

Random Quote: "A gullible fool can locate a swindler faster than the smartest private eye in the world." ~Margaret Brownley, Gunpowder Tea

*** Beware that this review may contain SPOILERS. You have been warned. :)***

I recently had the pleasure of reading Margaret Brownley's newest addition to her Historical Christian Fiction series The Brides of Last Chance Ranch: Gunpowder Tea. I have to say her story caught my attention at the words "Pinkerton Detective Agency". A lover of mysteries and undercover detectives, I found myself intrigued by the synoposis:

Miranda Hunt is about to embark on an exciting adventure at the Last Chance Ranch where she has applied to the ad for an heiress in the making. There's just one catch. She's an undercover Pinkerton detective working her way up the chain in honor of her father's memory. However, heading to this secluded ranch is for a very good reason. She hopes to catch the trail of a notorious thief going by the elaborate pseudonym the Phantom. Life turns a bit chaotic when Miranda, aka Annie Beckman, meets the band of misfit thieves on her train ride to the ranch. The surprises don't end there but esculate once her meeting with the ranch owner goes awry and the addition of a new, alluring ranch hand threatens to expose her cover or solve all her problems. (~my version)

Chapter One was a beautiful introduction to Miranda Hunt and her story. Immediately, you are drawn into her world and what it's like to be a woman in the 1890's with an independent streak. Her desire to rise in the ranks of the Pinkerton Detective Agency is not a foreign concept to anyone who wishes for recognition and promotion. The background tidbits on the agency make the story more realistic and add to the great detail that Margaret Brownley always gives her books. In the first chapter, you are not only introduced to this savvy young woman but also the most hilarious criminal arrest ever! 

Margaret Brownley definitely had my attention by the end of the first chapter, especially with this line: "'One more thing, Miss Beckham,' he said, addressing her by her new name. 'Don't shoot any more dead men.'"

HIL-AR-I-OUS!

The characters make this story unforgettable. By the end, you are in love with them all. Miranda's dedication and desire to be her best is a character we can all relate to; and the new ranch hand has so many secrets, he's the ultimate "bad boy". The plot ends a bit unexpectedly and is ABSOLUTELY perfect! 

Once again, Margaret Brownley delivers an intense and humorous read with memorable characters. She is a master of the genre, and I look forward to more reads by this captivating story-teller. 

Thanks for reading my book review. I hope it inspires you to go out and buy this fun read. You can find it here at Amazon:
http://www.amazon.com/Gunpowder-Brides-Last-Chance-Ranch-ebook/dp/B00C5QA7S2/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1391374596&sr=8-1&keywords=margaret+brownley

Barnes and Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/gunpowder-tea-margaret-brownley/1114868932?ean=9781595549723

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17659610-gunpowder-tea?from_search=true

If you have any book suggestions for me to read and review please feel free to contact me! I love reading books and am always excited for suggestions. 

~Love and Hugs!! :)