What a wonderful, amazing little tool is this thing the world calls “Facebook.” I am a recent convert and I love it!
I ignored the siren call for years. “YOU don’t have a Facebook page?” my friends and students would remark incredulously – as if it was like not having toilet paper, or milk on your cereal, or some other vital necessity on this pathway we call life.
So, I signed up. It was really easy. And, within 30 minutes, I had 12 friends.
First and foremost, I have to say that I admire it as a very practical, efficient, dare I say “green” way to maneuver in virtual society. Hallmark and Floral Shops beware! I can send VIRTUAL flowers, cards, snowballs, Easter eggs, Christmas ornaments and (my favorite) Flair. I know, I know…it’s not like the real thing – but the graphics are cool and my dog can’t eat anything I get or send online.
It’s also a great way to make announcements of comings and goings. I can spray paint on my niece’s wall – “Large meteor headed your way tomorrow. Make sure you aren’t home!” Of course, if said niece does not check her Facebook more than once a week – she’s toast.
(Editor’s note: I do wonder what might happen if someone less than honest gains access to the information about coming and going. In my more paranoid moments, I think, what a way to announce: “I’m not home! Come and clear my house of all my valuable belongings!” Of course, why should I worry? I have the best alarm system money can buy – an enclosed neighborhood full of retired people.)
Facebook is a wonderful place to vent frustration. “A POX on all caffeinated beverages!” This is especially fulfilling if you strike your keyboard keys really hard – stressing each letter one at a time. Try it. Even better, type this: P.O.X.!!!
And, of course, we cannot forget the opportunity to be an armchair ANYTHING – coach movie critic, advice columnist, sage. It’s like watching TV with 400 of your closest friends. Amazing.
Lately I find myself hurrying home at lunch to see who has posted last, or who has a new tattoo (you know who you are), or who just downed five Advil and some Coke to see if they could pull an all-nighter.
But mostly I enjoy signing on and feeling connected in a very real way to people I enjoy. It’s like walking in to a living room full of friends -- some are listening, some are reading, some are sleeping and some are there to talk. But, regardless they are all present, the atmosphere is casual, and the bodyprints fill up your heart and make you smile.
