In class we sit in a circle of chairs and talk about webpages, emails, and other course resources. A giant television screen prompts us to answer some questions about ourselves and we obey it. Upon being released, I check my phone once again to see some texts from friends about logistics for the day. We're diving to Philadelphia today for a music festival and don't want to get in too late. 

On this sunny day, the quad is a sweaty mix of people proudly ingesting media. People wearing shirts with tech logos on them walk clumsily with phones to their faces while music blasts and others shout at you to "come talk about buggy" using brand-name snacks as incentive. 

Stopping at a table outside the UC, I open Facebook Messenger on my phone and send a message to the Freshman I was supposed to meet to sell a book to. A quick "I'm here" lets him know I'm waiting. Though I was worried about being able to sell books back, joining the "CMU Class of 2019+" group on Facebook and posting a message about selling books was all I needed to get in touch with this guy. While I wait, I open Snapchat and look at the little seven second videos some friends sent me from the bars last night. They look like they were having a great time, but then again, everyone who posts content for social media does a good job of looking like they're having a great time. 

Now flipping through the more indirect "Snapstories", I determine that the majority of people I'm friends with on Snapchat post stories that make their lives look crazy and interesting. I suppose that's what this platform's about. 

When I get home, I connect to my home wifi network and blast The Weekend using a music streaming website. Nowadays, Soundcloud is my go-to after having abandoned Spotify for playing ads every 4 songs. I take dance breaks between folding laundry that was wrinkled from the night before then move downstairs to make lunch and continue watching Criminal Minds on my laptop.