viernes, 15 de agosto de 2008

facebook addiction

I have become a Facebook Junkie this week.

It is easy to become lured into the lineage of ex-classmates, ex-boyfriends, ex-roommates, ex-stand partners (I was an orchestra nerd--violinist, to be exact) and a plethora of other exes that dominate this attempt to reconnect after 5-10-20 years of not having spoken, emailed or seen each other.

At the same time, the connections made are extremely gratifying.

Some work in toy stores. Others with movies in Hollywood. Everyone is finding their way, following what they have discovered to be their bliss, reveling in their children/pets/homes/travels/etc. and are equally enthused about this sudden resurgence in interest in what "the popular kids" or "the geeks" or "the nerds"...what have you...have become in Life. The barriers have dissolved; it is almost like the 20 year reunion occuring virtually, with pictures and a few video clips to boot.

Better than the 20th, however, is the fact that I can see my friends' other connections, if they so permit in their privacy settings. The diverse paths that the Friends List take tell a lot about each person, where they have been, whose lives they have impacted and how each have been influenced to become the individual we all now are.

Some are single, some searching, some married, and my relationship status is listed as "complicated." It is a part of being true to myself. Why should I have anything to hide or be ashamed of? I feel need to admit I am human, daring to take a step further than the virtual reality of Facebook-- a class reunion weekend, whatever--would necessarily permit to be seen.

I loaded pictures and have found great joy in the photos of others' travels, children, fun times. I am enjoying this experience...yet not at all missing my schooling years. I am at peace with who I have become, and these people all played their part in creating the Me that I am now.

And I am learning that, evidently, I am not the only one yearning to feel a connection to that from whence I came. That reassurance, in itself, is comforting.

6 comentarios:

  1. Yeah, I did the 20th high school reunion last year. Its funny how most people are so different from what you'd expected them to be. And we thought we knew everything in high school.

    I too love Facebook for that. And myspace. And the reunion? It was definitely worth it!

    ResponderEliminar
  2. You can go home again after all it seems. It's funny how many folks from the past are just as interested in reconnecting. Having never really left home base it's easier to find/reconnect with the school chums through the extended network of folks who stayed near their roots. I still am amazed when I reconnect with folks how easy it is to pick up where we left off, and how little people really change. - Have a great weekend love!

    ResponderEliminar
  3. and speaking of reconnecting...

    we're back! left you a message but haven't heard back.

    ResponderEliminar
  4. I've so been avoiding doing facebook or myspace or any of those....

    heck, I can barely keep up with the blog these days.

    ResponderEliminar
  5. Facebook rocks. Though, the other day I noticed on my news board that an old friend who I'm out of contact with (besides both being on facebook) switched his relationship status from married to single. That was weird.

    ResponderEliminar
  6. T, I'm sure it was. There is nothing like face-to-face encounters, and I am making plans to be back across the country for my 20th.

    Brad, that's true. It's funny how the means have presented themselves.

    She-ra, it's been fun spending some time with you again today. You have been missed.

    Z, it looks like you've been busy. The nice thing with Facebook is, I get contacted out of the blue, without having to do a thing...if I don't want. It's funny...

    Dads, it is great. That is wierd about your friend's status, however. Perhaps he's the black-and-white type; until the paperwork is complete, still married...?

    Be well, all.

    ResponderEliminar