Do you Facebook?
Are you resisting the latest wave of social networking? Are you thinking about joining, but biding your time, waiting in the wings, hesitant to wrap your brain around something that takes you away from actually interacting with real, flesh and blood people? Or are you obsessed with flinging flair, showering flowers, messaging with muppets, or issuing invitations with names like Packrat, Buy Your Friends, and Are You a Moron?
I would be the first to admit that I have been all three of the above. Against. Resistant. Obsessed.
Well, maybe not quite obsessed. I think my friends Brandy, Beth, Susan, and Ana might fall under that category.
Brandy joined just a couple of nights ago and stayed up until one in the morning making Flair, all after a simple conversation with
Beth and Susan who had just joined the week before. And
Ana, well Ana does this kind of thing for a living, so it's OK.
It's all OK, really, I've decided. It's actually quite a lot of fun. Tonight I IM'd on Facebook with a dear, dear friend from college whom I haven't seen in years. I never would have picked up the phone this evening to talk with her--but there she was, in the little window that tells me which of my friends are currently online so I pinged her, chatting for over an hour! So good to talk with you Miss Pat! While we were catching up I also requested to be friends with her daughters and I can't wait to keep in touch with them as well. I also requested to be friends with a guy from high school I haven't seen since our ten-year reunion and even though I'm a little chapped that he didn't request a friendship with me first, I will, in the spirit of true Facebook fellowship, offer the first entreaty.
I found another friend from high school and we're working out a lunch together.
I don't have the most "friends" in the world, and most of the "friends" I do have are work-related--people I see every day. Or industry-related, which is fun. But it's a great way to touch bases with my daughters, their friends who are making their way into the world, and hopefully I'll start connecting with more and more of my own friends from way back when.
I am, after all, still interacting with real, flesh and blood, live, warm bodies--I'm just doing it through a computer screen and loving every minute of it. (Especially when Nicole and I are sitting not two feet from one another and IM-ing each other on Facebook! Loads o' silly fun!)
What do you think of social networking? Against? Resistant? Obsessed?
If you're in, I'd love to be your "friend," and if you're a Facebook member, there's a new Paper Crafts Facebook Group, which my buddy Ana created herself just today.
haha... you know you are REALLY in when you update from your phone. its a lifestyle i suppose! glad to be your friend on facebook and face to face! you rock you dirty mama!
Posted by: Account Deleted | August 22, 2008 at 08:56 AM
Oh my goodness! I've been on facebook for the last four years! I'm friend-ing you and the other gals immediately! :) I was obsessed at first too. It's normal. Haha
Posted by: Kalyn | August 22, 2008 at 09:15 AM
Well, Cath, I spent last night IMing a former student, Brandy, and my cousin's daughter all at once. It's official... I'm hooked (and so is my mommy!).
Posted by: susan opel | August 22, 2008 at 11:09 AM
Oh, yeah, we are Facebook freaks now! Yay for Kalyn, too!
Posted by: beth opel | August 22, 2008 at 12:15 PM
I think Dave is hoping this is a phase. I've spent the last three nights on social networking sites (Facebook and the new PC site) adding pictures, friends, and (like Cath mentioned) creating Flair. If anyone wants to be my friend look me up and send me a little message. :)
Posted by: Brandy J. | August 22, 2008 at 12:30 PM
I would be the resistant one because I watch my kids (all four) FACEBOOK all day long, LOL!!!
But they have some pretty amazing flair already done, so I just might have to join the lemmings and jump...
hehehe!
B-
Posted by: Becky Olsen | August 22, 2008 at 01:01 PM
OMG, no. First I had to join MySpace because Megan made me, and now I've joined Facebook. Although I will say that I can't believe how many people I know are on there! I added you and Brandy and Beth. ;-)
I don't totally get the point of the whole thing, but count me in to the 21st century.
Posted by: Stefanie Hamilton | August 22, 2008 at 08:09 PM
Hi Girly! Just wanted to let you know that I gave you an award over at my blog! And no, I don't facebook.....I'm a little behind the times. I just discovered the wonders of Google Reader last week! LOL!
Have a great night!
Dawn
http://dawnmcvey.typepad.com/these_are_a_few_of_my_fav/2008/08/happy-friday.html
Posted by: Dawn McVey (dawnsing) | August 22, 2008 at 10:25 PM
Hi Cath,
I just found your blog by reading Dawn's blog, LOL. I am on Facebook, but only because a frined invited me. I only have her as a friend. I will have to go check out the Paper Crafts group, if I can figure it out.
Posted by: Daniela | August 23, 2008 at 12:16 AM
Have always been a little intimidated by Facebook, but will have to check it out. Like I'm not online enough the way it is...lol.
Posted by: Jennifer Hansen | August 24, 2008 at 12:04 AM
oh, you have been sucked in! LOL! I am still in the resisting stage - mostly because of my boys obsession with it. Have fun! I have so many friends who love it. And if I ever cross over to the dark side, I will let you know. :)
Posted by: susan stringfellow | August 24, 2008 at 10:05 AM
Ahhhhh the facebook. I thought I lost a lot of time blog surfing and facebook just takes that to the next level! So glad to have found your blog through Dawn's. It was WONDERFUL to meet you in person at CHA! Hope you had a fantastic weekend. Over too soon if you ask me! ;-)
Posted by: Joanne Basile | August 25, 2008 at 12:06 AM