#NerdsUnite: Off the Grid and Unplugged: How to Travel with Technology & Remember to Look Up

<editorsnote> Nerds, meet my buddy Lindsay. She's crazy ... and bat shit ... and I love her for it! For reals, she hitchhiked across various African countries!!! The girl is a whackadoodle noodle, but not at all a nerd. That is where I come in handy- I'm Lindsay's navigator on adventures. See, I show her how we get places via google maps, and she reminds me to stop tweeting and look up every once in a while. It's a match made in nerdy/non-nerdy heaven. That being saiiiddddddd ... she lives her life on the road and wants to offer her travel advice to all the nerdy folk out there that may be looking to do the same. Hit it Lindsay!!! </editorsnote>

#TalkNerdyToMeLover's Lindsay MC

One of the greatest things about backpacking is the freedom and adventure that comes with falling off the grid and being completely unplugged. 

Until this trip, I was the biggest advocate of leaving all technology at home (except for a camera.)

I felt (and I still feel) the only way to really do justice to what ever place you traveled so far to see is to leave any and all mental tethers to home, at home. Cellphones, lap tops, iPads are portals to where you came from and checking your email every night or Skyping your bestfriend everyday keeps your head way too much at home for my taste.

Plus, having a working cellphone takes all the fun out of getting yourself out of a mess. Having to walk around a town from hostel to hostel looking for vacancy might totally suck at the time but it also might just turn into a super funny memory that you will always then have with your travel buddy. 

These kinds of things really add some much needed humor and challenge to your backpacking experience and shouldn't be forgone for the ease of a cellphone.

All that being said, I am beginning to learn and really appreciate the advantages of bringing a smart phone along with you on your trip.

This is my first ever international trip with an iPhone and I am loving it.

Not only does my phone have a better camera than my actual camera but I also love the filters that I downloaded before I came overseas like Instagram and Hipsamatic (I turned the Share option off.) They really add some edge to my travel photos and sometimes, by altering with a filter, I feel I can capture how a place makes me feel even better than with a regular camera.

Being able to take quick HD videos on my iPhone is a killer plus too. Sometimes a photo just isn't enough and being able to quickly switch from still photo to video has really enhanced my documentation of my trip.

Because I've kept my cell on Airplane Mode this entire time (which is free) and I have only used free Wifi in hostels and restaurants, traveling with my phone has helped me cut Internet Cafe costs and time... which after two months of being in Central America would have really added up. 

I am officially living inside a screen saver. It's also extremely convenient for me personally because I can write blog posts on long bus rides or while laying out on the beach in Panama, which is what I'm doing right now. I can save my blog post or email and upload or send it at another time when I have Wifi. The way I look at it, writing on a cellphone that is not connected to the internet is the equivalent to writing in your own travel journal or diary and I see no problem dedicating however much time you would give to either of those activities. Prewriting when I have some down time is the ultimate time saver which helps me stay unlocked from WiFi hot spots or internet cafes.

The trick is strict moderation. If you are staying at a hostel with WiFi, ONLY turn your WiFi on when you are using it. Budget time each day (or better, once every few days) to sit down and upload or email or research or whatever. Stay with in your time limit and when you are done with whatever you needed to do, turn your WiFi off. DO NOT get sucked into Facebook or YouTube or some other time wasting site. Keep your research focused like you would if you were being charged to use a computer at an Internet cafe and keep social media a One Way Street. What I mean by that is, by all means, upload photos and update your Facebook status but don't start searching for what your friends have been up to or using your precious travel time to Like status updates or random links of your friends. You can do that all at home when your back and bored at your office job- just upload your own shit and get the heck off line and back into the world. 

Don't whip out your cell every time you have a bit of downtime. This one is the most challenging to me because I ALWAYS have a video I could be editing or a blog post I could be writing but being bored is a GOOD thing while traveling. The Art of Doing Nothing is something we Americans typically suck at and down time on the road is a phenomenal way begin to flex this muscle. Even so, I mess this one up on a regular basis. I will be sitting, waiting at bus stop, trying to expand my Zen-ness and take in every moment of what's going on all around me... and without even realizing it, all of sudden, I come out of a daze and I'm trimming a video on my damn iPhone! Yeah, that happens- but I'm trying.

Once a week, maybe you want to budget an hour or so to stupid online stuff. Check out that link your friend posted, respond to silly but irrelevant posts on your wall, Facebook stalk your ex, whatever- just don't let it consume you and stay within in your preset time limit. I promise, your favorite travel memories will have nothing to do with you browsing through wedding photos of some girl you went to high school with.

Traveling with my iPhone has been a game changer for me. Being able to take better photos, updating my blog while actually on the road and being able to occasionally video Skye my parents has absolutely enhanced my travel experience. Finding the balance of being unplugged while still being technically plugged in has been a fun challenge that I am still mastering. I hope my tips help you get the most of our travel experience while staying off the grid and unplugged.


While I'm traveling with my iPhone internationally for the first time, these are the apps I have found most helpful and the most fun while abroad. I would also like to point out that by keeping my cell on Airplane mode and using only free Wifi, staying plugged in has been 100% free.

Heytell
•Heytell is one of my FAVORITE Apps in the US and I was so super stoked to learn that it works internationally too! The catch with this one though is that you have to have it set up and all of your friends must be added BEFORE you take your phone abroad (it requires a text message invite which is not free, and sometimes not possible internationally.) 
Think of Heytell like verbal text messages or a Walkie Talkie that stores the audio until you are ready to listen- it's amazing and so so fun, trust me. Download it and have fun going back and forth with family and friends while traveling and while at home.

Blogger
•Googles Blog App. Obviously, I love this one. It's a seamless way to update your blog while on the road.

Mobli
•This App allows you to upload videos and photos directly from your phone to their site. "Share your story" is the App slogan so other users can share and comment on what your posts as well. 

Skype
•Skype is a free way to video or audio chat with friends and family back home through WiFi. Set your Skype up at home on a desktop or laptop to make easier on yourself and upload the App on to your cell before you leave. Skype is the shit, just trust me on that. Set your mom up with an account before you leave so you two can video chat to make her really happy. 

Hipsamatic and Instagram
•These are just two of the wonderful photo filter sites available from the Apple iStore. Hipsamatic is like $1.99 or something like that and Instagram is free. I have both but to be honest, I like Instagram more. I like how you can choose your filter after you take the photo and easily try all of them out so you can really get the best. Far from 'cheating,' filters can really help you capture the feeling of a place that simply isn't possible to do with regular film. An example, the hostel I'm staying at in Panama has the Caribbean glowing, literally GLOWING from slits under the floor boards. Regular film just doesn't show the glow but Instagram filter Lomo-Pro makes it glow the way it looks in real life. 
Install both of these Apps before you leave home because of long download times. 

Have an APPsolutey wonderful trip :)

#nerdsunite

click here to follow Lindsay and her adventures abroad!

#NerdsUnite: Straight shooting with @mcarmona1(get to it!)

<editorsnote> Nerds, meet my buddy Monique. She's a straight shooter who is running blindly, but confidently, in the direction of her life like the rest of us. She is here today to talk about her life, love, and all things good in her hood. I only have one more thing left to say ... HIT IT MONIQUE!! </editorsnote>

#TalkNerdyToMeLover's @mcarmona1

It's been a few weeks since I came a knocking and in that time there's been death, political corruption and millions of people banning together in the name of women's rights.  I love me some social media, have been able to see some mind blowing things but sometimes, it's all too much - especially at the rate in which we are seeing all the news and seeing EVERYONE's different point of view... "I get it dude, you really really like Ron Paul!" From time to time, makes me just want to start sipping at lunch time... ah, but that's just not an option for the like of this lady;)  It is an option however, to find that perfect song on You Tube that reminds ya of something bigger, maybe tell that joke that you've told a million times because it still makes people smile (my joke includes a couple of clowns and a cannibal btw) and perhaps take some deep belly breaths so you can relax into your fabulous rich selves.  All together now... Breeeeaaaathe.  

Whether or not you were a fan of Whitney Houston at some point in your life or just empathize with the loss... You had to notice people were moved.  It begs the question... What is it about talent, music, song, art, dance, etc., that resonates so sweetly within all of us?  Cause, if you ask me, people weren't just responding to Whitney passing, they were responding to what she shared.  What is it about seeing someone pour out their soul into their work and lay it out for the world to see that gets us so deeply? We're pulled out of our hum drum lives and excited, enthralled, connected. We're pulled from the rigid curriculum of the grind and grid and  momentarily connected to a soul filled symphony. Don't get me wrong, art also has the power to create change, to open minds, to be political and brave which is vital... but it also provides a direct line to the heart and unlike a life without it, art makes it all worth it in the end.

 Check out this Rad Work of art by Chris Davies that has a direct link to my heart.  

So so so cool & a M A zing.  

So, while you're reminding the old men that they better back the fuck off from making decisions for your -  or your loved ones uterus(s) OR you're telling Monsanto you'd rather stick a fork in your neck than eat their seed infested poison, make time to take note of all the beauty that non the less surounds us.  As a matter of fact create some too. Be a part of the sounds, the rhythm, the pulse... cause it's sweet.  I say once again, get up and shake your ass, like I did last night in my living room to a little Peter Gabriel (thank you YouTube). Paint on random walls... and then run away quickly... imagine, cook, taste, feel, revel in the soul filled gifts of your art and other's, cause babes, to me, it's one of the greatest things about being alive.  It's one of the strongest through lines.  So you better get to it... while you can.  Holla.

Now spin the disco ball and cue the awesome 80's video and work it.

Until next time,
@mcarmona1

click here to check out more from Monique!

#NerdsUnite: The Ramblings of a Raconteuse (Sex Pots, Strippers, and Lady Parts. Oh My! )

<editorsnote> Nerds, meet my buddy Helenna. We met on twitter this week, and she's totes mcgotes one rad chiquita banana with a flare for all things flair! That's right, Helenna here is what we call an artsy fartsy nerd. She's a poet, into all things dramatic arts, and she's going to come on board to write each week about her love of said drama. Well not like actual drama drama, like some cat fight shit - but you get the idea.

I only have one thing left to say ... HIT IT HELENNA!!! </editorsnote>

#TalkNerdyToMeLover's @Helslevy

Insert can of worms being opened… and a big can of worms it is, so get ready for a good, long, meaty read…(yes all sexual innuendo intended).

I am an actress.  Recently I’ve been really disturbed by the huge number of roles needing to be cast for “strippers, women who look like strippers, ridiculously hot women willing to act in simulated sex scenes, and women who will be fully nude but…there is no pay.” 

For example these breakdowns for roles have included phrases like:

Now… I should probably enter a disclaimer here so: 

*DISCLAIMER*  I know that in writing this I will most likely come off as being hypocritical, but this only adds to my point.  

I am writing this blog post in order to create a dialogue.  In no way do I think I am above the issues, in fact I fully embrace that I am smack dab in the middle of the issues swimming around, sometimes drowning, and other times rockin’ the backstroke and winning the race. 

Also, I have no objection to anyone who decides to be a stripper or work in the porn industry as their career.  It is your path and I pass no judgement. The descriptions above happen to be what sparked a debate in my mind.

So to continue along…

In all fairness, the majority of these roles are being cast in low to no budget projects, and there have been A LOT lately that have come through the many online casting sites that are accessible to actors who either do not have representation, or are proactive and also submit themselves for projects.  These types of roles have always existed, but seeing so many lately, made me start thinking about the state of women in the media in 2011. 

When I was in college I took a phenomenal women’s studies class.  We talked a lot about how women are portrayed in the media.  I even wrote a 20 page essay on pornography as a battleground for women’s sexuality.  I’d like to think that Women’s Studies 101 fully educated me on the women’s rights movement and gender equality, but there have been a lot of things lately that have brought up questions for me.

A documentary called Miss Representation was recently aired on OWN and it is fantastic.  It raises many important points about the media being both “the message and the messenger,” and as Ariella a high school students says, “It’s all about the body and not about the brain.”

Also, while my mom was visiting we had a heated discussion about the fact that my generation is doing a pretty darn good job negating what her generation did for the feminist movement, and this was a conversation sparked by a discussion about high heels.  We talked about the fact that 3 inch heels in many ways are nothing more than a modern form of Chinese foot binding.  

My argument was while I definitely see her point, I love high heels.  I love putting them on with skinny jeans or a cute black dress, and that they make me feel sexy and powerful.

Sexy and powerful.

So why?  Why do 3 inch heels that are hell to walk in or even stand in for that matter, make me feel sexy and powerful? 

Well, we still live in a male dominated culture.  No matter how much I’d like to think that we’ve come a million miles since women were burning their bras, I realize that we are far from it.  That in some ways, we’re so far from it, that we’ve come back around at it and are now somehow choosing a new form of feminism that does nothing but perpetuate the old form of sexism.

Case in point: The Christina Aguilera “dirrty” wave of “feminism” aka)  the “we can now own our sexuality, use it, flaunt it, it belongs to us and not men -no holds barred kind of feminism.”

Now I know that many will say that this isn’t feminism at all.  But I would argue that it is in fact an attempt to turn old school feminism inside out and upside down.  This wave of “feminism” seems to allow women to fully be in charge of their sexuality.  But the irony of this, is that the sexuality we see now, is all about what is sexy in a male dominated culture.  The things that make a woman “sexy” like high heels and red lipstick, at the most animal and base cave person type level, have everything to do with turning on a man so that he will help us propel the species.  And shamelessly, above that base level, it can help move along a woman’s career. 

So, how much does it have to do with a woman feeling empowered on her own, just as a woman?  Would we choose to wear high heels, makeup, and wear low cut dresses etc… if living in a male dominated culture wasn’t an issue? 

In talking this out with my husband and explaining my theory about this possible new form of “upside down feminism,” he noted that “what could be seen as the new feminism looks a lot like the old Penthouse.”  Meaning, “it doesn’t look like feminism at all.  Not to judge either one, but the problem seems to be that there is stigma attached to both.  People showing their naked bodies and exploring their sexuality has issues attached to it, and women being given equal rights does too.   Trying to make either one of those things look like they are representing the other is the problem.  One is a moral issue, the other is an issue of civil rights. Looking hot, dirty, and sexy does not help advance the civil rights of women.  Is it hot?  You bet.  But how does it help?”  

Yup, my husband is a smart man.

Penthouse ... me ...

So what if I take the buzz word of “feminism” out of this whole discussion?  My question then is: when is it a woman being exploited vs. a woman embracing her sexuality, or just enjoying her sexuality and being proud of her body?  And moreover I think there is absolutely nothing wrong with nudity or sexual situations that aren’t gratuitous.  (Yes, I know, but what is gratuitous…)

For example, if I was in my Women’s Studies 101 class today, I would instead be writing about Hollywood as a battleground for women’s sexuality. 

Ah-ha…here comes that juicy can of worms…

I work in an industry where it is well known that “sex sells.”  It is everywhere in the entertainment business, and it is just that, a business.  In order to make money, to increase views, to sell products, the easiest way to do it is to play to humanity’s most basic desires: hunger and sex, and heck let’s just combine them and say a hunger for sex. 

What’s more, is that in this day and age women are expected to be Superwomen while wearing those high heels.  It’s no longer just enough to be the housewife and mother who also has a full time job…we also need to be sexy, smart, and funny.  And it’d be ideal that if we are also geeky and/or nerdy, while being smoking hot without cellulite or wrinkles, with big boobs, tiny waists, and long legs.  Women now need to be everything to everyone.  We’re expected to be a swiss army knife of feminine amazing-ness.  It’s exhausting. 

There is still so much exploitation of women in advertising, in films, in music videos etc…and as seen by the breakdowns at the top of this post, it’s pretty much unavoidable.  Mena Suvari and Dania Ramirez even poke fun of it in a video that they made while filming American Reunion this past summer.  The video is no longer available, but was called “Ass & Titties.”  Yup, turning stereotypes upside down, inside out, and back around again so that you think it’s serious and not a spoof. Pretty genius.

So what do we do?  How do we change all of this so that we as women are seen for our brains and our ability?  How do we own our sexuality, be proud of it, heck flaunt it if we want to, without being at the mercy of men’s idea of sexy/beautiful/smart/funny/geeky-sexy/nerdy-sexy/gamer girl-sexy/ and so on…

The reality of the matter is that I’ve chosen to work in an industry where a question like “is she f**k-able” is a totally acceptable judge of someone’s ability to book a specific role.  And what’s more, is that I understand it.  This is the state of the industry at the moment, and I choose to see it for what it is and do what I can to shift perception from within it.

For example, (and welcome to my personal paradox), I purposely placed myself fully nude, although with very strategic lighting so that it was implied rather than full monty, in the opening frame of my web pilot The Day Player back in 2008. 

Why did I do this?  

While it definitely served the story because I was using the all too overused and extremely cliché “bad dream” scenario, but I also knew that it would help grab the audience’s attention from the beginning.  However despite the fact that I blatantly used the “nude card”, I specifically made sure that it wasn’t a sexualized moment.  It was an embarrassing, awkward, real moment.  Was it me exploiting myself? Maybe. But again, as I said in my “disclaimer” I choose to work and live in this giant paradox.  

I also knew that in order to get people’s attention, an adorable yet suggestive photo that told the story in a single image, would be a great idea for all of the initial promo materials.

Again…giant paradox. Sex sells even when it’s just a suggestion of naughtiness. 

I fully acknowlegde that I’m playing the game BUT, I’m playing my way.  In order to succeed in this game I have accepted the current rules in order to play.  The further along I get, the more I’m trying to adjust the rules, because to do anything else at this point would only work against me.  I think in order to change the system, it’s easier to do it from inside than outside.  I must point out however that you won’t be seeing me *actually nude*,  or scantily clad for that matter, in anything any time soon….that is unless Bertolucci or Scorsese comes calling.  Let’s just say I’ll cross that bridge when the time comes. 

And again (hypocritical paradox), but I think high heels and red lipstick are sexy.  I also applaud women who do burlesque as well as those actresses that decide that it’s ok for them to show their lady parts in a very artistic film.  I also understand that bare breasts sell an indie horror film to distributors, and that certain networks have the aesthetic of needing young, sexy, skinny magazine type glossy looking girls.  

This is the current reality, and eventually with women working the system from the inside out writing more material, working as heads of Studios etc…, things will begin to shift.  They already have.  In fact, it is extremely refreshing to see movies like Bridesmaids and tv shows like New Girl, 2 Broke Girls, and Whitney on the air.  But then…Whitney is seen in a slutty “naughty nurse” outfit, and Beth Behrs who plays Caroline in 2 Broke Girls wears heels and a tiny skirt while waitressing.  Is there anything wrong with these women rockin’ the sexy?  I don’t think so, but here we are back in the paradox…

So, I want to hear from you.  What are your thoughts?  Are you a woman stuck in the paradox like me?  Are you a man who thinks this post is B.S.?  I want to hear from you all.  Let’s start a dialogue.

If you are reading this at Talk Nerdy To Me Lover, please leave me a comment there, if you are reading this at my tumblr blog, feel free to email me at: contacthelenna@gmail.com and/or tweet me out at @helslevy. 

xoxox

@helslevy 

aka) Helenna Santos levy

P.S. There is so much more to be discussed about gender inequality in Hollywood in today’s day and age as evident in this LA Times article about a USC study,  but that is a whole other branch of this discussion and perhaps fodder for another blog post since this one has turned out to be longer than War and Peace…

P.P.S. Yes, I purposely used sexually charged/exploitative photos for this blog post…is that what made you read it?

#nerdsunite

Want more from Helenna? Check out her site over yonder! and drop her a follow on the twitter!

*waves* Hi my names @JenFriel and I am addicted to #GirlTalk

DUDES!! I downloaded this album on Monday, and look at how many times I've listened to it in 48 hours ...

SERIOUSLY!??!?! It's weird too, because the songs are so AWESOME and totally flow right into another, nothing feels overplayed. It just keeps me so PUMPED while posting!!! Such good music for someone who is so ADD. HAHAHAH!!!!! =)

Girl Talk All Day = LOVES IT!!!!!!

Click here to download for free .... and like really free, like legally free.

This makes me #love life ...

Total AWESOME SAUCE!!

But for reals David ... what is with that attitude man???

Attitude is EVERRRYYTHIINNGGGG in life! And if that's what you're working with, you're not going to go far.

Keep your chin up. You work ROCKS!!

OWN IT!!!

#NerdsUnite