After reading Misty’s article I’m glad it wasn’t another one of those “Learn how to get a million followers on Twitter!” kind of articles. I think it’s pretty common amongst any new Twitter user to have an insecurity the first time we’re unfollowed by someone or if someone doesn’t follow us back. I think somewhere along the lines we got this spoiled notion that “If I follow you, you have to follow me!” On top of that the first time being unfollowed for most Twitter users, it would seem, we react as if the person isn’t returning our calls and start asking ourselves, “Did I do something wrong? What did I do wrong? Why?” We agonize over something that is, for a lack of a better word, superficial.

Why do the number of followers on Twitter matter so much?

I’ll admit when I first joined Twitter I joined for two reasons: (1) a few friends were strongly advertising joining the Twitter craze and (2) to follow some of the designers I looked up to. The first time a designer I admired followed me back I was a giddy schoolgirl thinking I was something awesome. There is a sense of satisfaction when someone decides to follow you even if you’re not following them. I’ve also made my moment of asking myself “Why aren’t they following me back?”

There just came a point where I had to ask myself, “Why am I caring so much about that?” I’ve been a Twitter user for a while now and I’ve realized now I have a long list of things that could use my attention. I want to make it clear I’m not tossing Twitter aside as if it’s nothing, I definitely value Twitter as a social network but I think it’s time we realize that the number of followers we have shouldn’t affect us so much.

Feel free to discuss below or carry this conversation through twitter @lethyl

The “Best” of 2009

Artists I came across

• Phoenix
• Owl City
• GLEE
• Lily Allen

Days of the year

• 2nd-year anniversary with Christopher
• celebrating Elle’s first birthday
• starting my new macbook pro
• fireworks at home with Christopher & friends
• my godsister’s wedding in San Diego

People I met this year

• Jason Santa Maria
• Liz Danzico
• Matthew Fitzgerald
• Julia Wargaski
• Marie Dormuth

Things I stumbled across

• Ben & Dave’s Six Pack (podcast)
• Better Off Ted (tv series)

The “Worst” of 2009

Artists I suffered through

• Miley Cyrus
• the Jonas Brothers

Days of the year

• February 12th
• Last day of living in Stuytown
• Every day I lived in Bushwick
• Getting my iPhone 3G mugged on my 2nd day of living in Spanish Harlem
• Finals week of December and all days afterwards

People I met this year

• Cruz
• the girls in Bushwick
• Jim “Big Red”

Some interesting numbers

• I coded at least 747,000 lines of html/css & php
• I received 8,625 emails, only 37% being considered spam with less than 5% being considered spam when actually not spam
• I spoke on the phone for 29 days, 13 hours and 57 minutes
• I sent and received over 50,000 text messages
• I’ve read 17 books this past year, only 4 of them were novels

Lessons Learned from 2009

1. The world is irrational and so you can be too, sometimes…
2. Always have people you’re living with sign a lease or sublet agreement.
3. Sometimes life’s greatest gifts are short, simple and small.
4. Saving money doesn’t mean not spending it a day after earning it.

This was the original idea…

And here is the revision…

The Assignment: Build words out of modules, in other words: build letters out of units.

Display 1

Display 2

Display 3

Display 2

Display 3

Display 1

Display 2

Display 3

Display 4

Display 1

Display 2

Display 3

Display 4

Here’s a few things that need to be completed (still) : (A) I need to finish page structure for chronology, portfolio and social; (B) I need to decide on an accent color scheme. I’m currently debating between reds, yellows or oranges (possibly all three? gasp!); (C) Update the text for several pages; (D) Re-create portfolio entries to be more uniformed; (E) Add new pieces to the portfolio section; (F) Integrate a twitter / tweet system as well as last.fm for social; (G) Create header banners to rotate; (H) Add a contact form; . . . (Z) Progressive Enhancements: (1) Incorporate AJAX and (2) Add lightbox.

In other news, my third year at Parsons started August 31st, 2009 (a weird start date) and things are going incredibly well. I’m getting my ass handed to me a little and I’m definitely feeling the pressure, but it’s what I’ve been hoping for! I’m still interning at Pando as a design consultant / psuedo web-developer until they find a replacement. A few major changes that I want to dedicate real posts, so expect them!

As the title suggests, I’ve been a bit starved for creativity. It’s led to a slight lack of motivation which has caused me to be a little more lazy than one should be. Hopefully with a new website release and the gain of an internship (perhaps I’m counting my chicks too soon), I’ll be a bit more productive. Not to mention, I’m a bit broke for the summer at the moment.

More details on the site soon…though I’m thinking of something a bit more over the edge and crazy than reserved like the last three versions =]