Sunday, January 11, 2009

On Joining

One week ago, I would have looked you squarely in the eye and told you, "No, I will NEVER join Facebook." I would have listened to you wax on about all of the "friends" you had found whom you thought were long forgotten, all the funny photos you'd been able to see, all of the catching up you'd been doing and I would have said, "Cool, but I am still not joining."

4 days later and guess what?

I've read all of your blogs about your experiences on Facebook and chuckled, admittedly, that I was not a part of it. I've read your stories about how much of a time sucker Facebook is and left comments along the lines of, "See? This is why I don't join! HA, HA, HA, HA!!!!!!"

Now it's your turn to laugh at me. Go ahead, laugh.

What I do know is that I get it now.

I get why my friends (thank you Jaimie, Aimee, Linda...) wanted me to join. In the few days I've been a member, I've been found by people I may have never even remembered face to face (due to the ever-constant condition known as mommy brain). And because I have the time to process who they are and how I know them, it's been incredibly fun, to say the least.

[Plus, it saves me the embarrassment of standing in the grocery store, looking at someone who I think looks familiar but am not sure, only to find out that guess what? I don't know them at all and now they think I am one hundred percent, to the max, crazy with a capitol C.]

And this is just one part of the whole experience people, one part! I'm also able to connect with people I send Christmas cards to each year but never see in person, friends who live far, far away, college buddies, high school buddies and even my little brother - who I can shoot one liners at that only he and I understand.

My husband doesn't get it.

He says he won't join unless it is required of him. And by required, he means by his employer.

But me? Me, who only a week ago was all Yeah, Facebook is just not for me, I am loving it.

Since tomorrow is Delurking Day here in the blogosphere, and most likely I'll be on Facebook telling my friends how addicted I am to Diet Coke, why not go out on a limb and say hello. Let me know who you are, those who remain silent, and I promise not to look at you like I don't recognize you and walk away thinking you're crazy with a capitol C. I promise.

Come on, as I've learned in the past week, going out on a limb isn't too bad after all.

In fact, it's kind of wonderful.

20 comments:

Anonymous said...

hi. I like reading your blog and I totally get what you mean about facebook. I joined a few years ago and never ever even looked at it, then a friend from sixth grade (!) found me on there and I totally understand its appeal. Anyway, thank you for the funny, sweet, smart, honest blog.

Susannah

CK said...

I keep in touch with old college buddies via Myspace. I had a Facebook acct. while in college but got tired of all the poking, passing drinks around, and other stupid add-ons. Didn't see the appeal anymore. I hear it's gaining popularity though.

Carrie said...

I love Facebook- it's been such a one-stop way to keep multitudes of people updated on my life without having to use my mommy brain to remember who I've told what news to. And it's nice to be able to post kid pictures and not have to email them to unwilling people- this way, if people want to look, they can!

It's far too addictive though. I spend too much time there. :)

Anonymous said...

I just searched for you on FB and found like 6 people with the same name. Damnit! Since I don't know you in person - merely blogville, of course I don't know what you look like, so I tried!

Anonymous said...

Even with Facebook playing such a role in the demise of my marriage, I still don't see it as unilaterally bad. It has it's benefits. I made my peace with a couple of friends where things ended badly. That felt nice.

Kyla said...

I think Facebook is fun. Next comes Twitter, watch out!

Driving three Prince Girls said...

As per request I am de-lurking. LOL I love your blog....

Anonymous said...

I am all over FB..

and I am more of a stalker than a lurker.. :)

musingwoman said...

Ah, Facebook. I've been able to resist the temptation, so far.

I'm glad you're having fun, though!

Leanne said...

I was on Facebook and I got off. I met some really great people from my past, and then I started getting people I didn't know contacting me...and some of them were really weird. Enjoy it but be careful and don't be too friendly, it may come back to haunt you. Sign me, Been there.

painted maypole said...

i turned to the dark side a little over a month ago. it was surprisingly easy to use and pretty interesting. so far I have not gone looking for anyone, and I already have over 100 friends. It's weird and crazy.

I expect birthday presents from them all.

;)

Cathy said...

Hi! Not sure if I ever commented here or not - probably not - it's hard for me to click out of my reader.

Anyway - I just joined facebook and am hooked.

Valarie Lea said...

I have a facebook!!!! I am going to go and find you, so if you get a friend request from a crazy girl in Alabama, its probably me.

Heather said...

I think I comment here from time to time.

I have a love/hate relationship with facebook. But mostly I like it.

Have fun!

Grim Reality Girl said...

I have feared facebook..... to you really promise it won't hurt?

carrie said...

Yes, I promise! :)

Anonymous said...

OMG--can I just say? I KNOW! I too was an eye-rolling friend of those who told me all about how awesome Facebbok was. I laughed at them just like you have...and then I got sucked in too! I love it! And as unsure as I was about "reuniting" with some of my old classmates, it's actually been really comforting to hear from people who knew me "when." Welcome aboard "timewaster.com" as it's called in our house! Look me up if you want. :)

Unknown said...

bwaaa haaa haaaa.

Mrs. Flinger said...

I'm on it but, also, am confused and not sure if I want to stay. It's so crazy to find old people and, truly, what if I don't LIKE them? I just can't say no in real life, so.. I.. should not friend 'em?

Speaking of: ADD ME! LOL. Leslie Flinger

Wink Wink

Anonymous said...

I could have written this post. Really......