Life's been interesting. As I was growing very weary of everything, Stevil advised me to take a couple days off from all communication. I did. And not only to catch up with things that I'd been wanting to do. Things needed to change and a couple decisions came of it. One being to dump Facebook.
While it was great for reconnecting to long-lost folks, that's done now. We have our email addresses and will be in touch. I gave it 5 months, and as my friend Raz says, "It's been swell but the swelling has gone down now." The carping and snark isn't worth it. I've seen good friends argue viciously and vindictively. If I never see another photo of a cat or some inane or trite saying it'll be too soon. And lately fully one-third of the page is intrusive advertisements culled from their spying on your browsing and your friends. I've had chest pains for the last 3 months, and they went away while I was off FB. Obviously, I wasn't built for that bizarro world. But I won't take my page down. Once in a while I'll go look at George Takei and Awkward Band and Musicians for a laugh, but the rest is over. As of Sunday the 31st I won't be part of the circus.
In the connections vein, when I posted about leaving FB, two editors contacted me and asked if I'd like to write columns for their publications. We're discussing these possibilities now. So some good has come of it.
I also was getting very guilty that this blog had become an afterthought in my life after being a central part for so long. Interacting with 30 or more people a day is draining and I'd find myself with nothing left for neither blog nor book, day after day. I've been neglectful and my blog should be a priority. You guys have been with me through joys and sorrows and I've let you down. Mea culpa.
In those 2 days a new direction came to mind for the story I'm writing. It explains a lot of who and what the characters are and where their thoughts and reactions come from, so back to that I go, as well. Fiction writing brings me a freedom of mind and the joy of creativity, things sadly lacking on Fecebook.
The best journeys are like going to Oz and coming home, and that's what FB has been to me. I gained and regained connections I couldn't have gotten anywhere else. I was entertained and horrified, but ultimately the best place is where I was already. It's nice to come home.
MYSTERIOUS GARDEN
11 months ago
Posts
9 comments:
Well that just confirms in my mind that I never want to be bothered with Facebook or the Twitter/tweet universe. I have all the communication I need right here.
By the way, you didn't let us down girl.
Thanks Lawless.
I figure it served its purpose. It was cool to splash around in it. It's also cool to get the Hell away from it.
I have never been on Face Book. I am sorry that you felt chest pains because of Face Book. I know a loved one sometimes gets upset after reading things on Face Book. I then tell her to take a break. Good thing you are not burdening yourself with it.
First off, you didn't let anybody down. We're always happy to hear from you, and might worry a teensy bit when we don't, but you don't owe us anything. We're just happy you're you.
Sounds like you made the right choice about FB. For me, I got on there specifically to see pictures of our grandchildren and to keep up with what they're doing. That's still the main reason I'm on there. I don't worry about all the drama and hooking up with so-called "friends". (I mean, why in the name of all that's good and holy would I possibly want to "friend" some guy I evidently graduated from high school with... but don't KNOW, and never DID... especially when he lists his hobby as... (ready?)... "women".)
Nope. Not let down at all. Your life, to live as you see fit. And it is always nice to see another post from you - but no compulsion. None.
I love that some good came out of your time on FarceBook, and love that you are walking away.
Austan, I read somewhere there's about 900 million to a billion users on Facebook. When you withdraw, it will give them a chance to catch up. Otherwise the quality grading curve would be too steep.
It sounds like you have a good solid plan. Like Susan, I only go on F/B to see pictures that my kids put up. The rest of the chatter does not interest me and I don't understand why it would interest anyone else either.
I really believe that spring and all it brings will be here really soon. It seems you have done your spring cleaning of the cobwebs already and the windows have been wiped of all its streaks. It's brighter out there now, Laura. Take it all in.
stevil heartily agrees with Starting Over, Accepting Changes - Maybe's last lines which say it so well. Congratulations on breaking the FB spell.
Ya know, FB really is an incredible accomplishment, Orwellian as it is. I find it interesting that we've come to expect so much of our technology that people (including me) get frustrated when FB turns slow or sends messages late or etc. But it's just a tool, pun intended. In a way, everyone's trying to tell their own stories but in short staccato bursts - communications for an age of short attention spans. It is so huge, there are so many people posting at once, it's too much. Too many stories, too much politicking , too many causes, that internet thing of people being horrible and acting in ways they wouldn't in person.
I'm looking forward to reading what you come up with next, now that you've clicked those ruby reds.
In one of my last FB interactions I've found the combo that really does it- stupidity and cynicism. Just as a boring and stressful job is Hell, so is dealing with an idiot who dismisses things as beneath their attention. I think you know of whom I speak, Stevil. I've a feeling FB may not last thru the day in my life.
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