I don't interact much with others, just the occasional LIKE or COMMENT. I rarely check FB on the days I don't write. I'm a hypocrite and often think of myself as a self-absorbed, selfish Facebook user. I ask you to read and comment on the blog. But I give you nothing in return.
Last month was my five year anniversary on the social network.
I remember my first friends back in 2008. After a few months I wasn't very active and decided to quit the site. I sent messages to the three or four people in my inner circle.
Dear (insert name here) I am leaving Facebook, wanted you to know.
After a time I started to miss it, and came back. One of the friends I told I was quitting said, "Ya, I got that message and thought, so what, why is he telling me?"
You get the point? No? Neither did she. See, at the beginning I really thought Facebook was for friends, and family. I thought if I didn't post for awhile someone would actually miss me. That's why I let them know. Boy, was I wrong.
Family contacts are difficult for me. I'm friends with Daughters Jenn and Rebecca, Grandson Nick, lots of cousins and nieces and nephews. At times I think I may embarrass my grandson but he says it's OK. I am not friends with Eric or Tim, the son-in-laws. It's not as if I don't like them, I do, very much. I just think being a Facebook friend may make them uncomfortable.
Now, five years later I have 119 FRIENDS. If I counted every friend I've ever had over the course of my life, they wouldn't add up to 119. Three weeks ago I formulated a FB friend plan. I was going to message everyone and ask if they were still active.
"Hi.....I am cleaning up my friends list. Are you still posting or reading FB?"
As soon as I hatched it I realized its folly. If they weren't active, how would they let me know? Oh, I suppose I could wait a month or two to not hear from them, but I'd need charts and lists. It seemed like too much work.
My next plan was easier (I write sarcastically). Check the Timelines of my 119 friends to see if they are currently posting. I've been putting this off for several weeks now. When I finish and post the blog I don't want to deal with FB. On the days I don't write I don't want to deal with FB. And besides, just because someone isn't posting doesn't mean they're not reading.
So for now I'll just keep the status quo with my 119 friends. But I still have a problem. What do I do about birthdays?
I should know immediate family birthdays. If I forget, Wanda can remind me. It's nice to get Facebook reminders for friends or distant relatives, and I have no problem sending out a birthday wish. I never take credit for the greeting and always acknowledge FB. After all, I didn't know or remember.
"Hi.....Facebook tells me it's your birthday. So, HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU."
I think it's hypocritical or contrived to congratulate friends of friends or people I know casually.
"Hi...Facebook tells me it's your birthday. I can't place you or remember where we met but have a very HAPPY BIRTHDAY all the same. I don't expect to hear from you but my birthday is December 22nd.
One more FB item. I never respond to posts like, I think I know which friends will share this and which won't. Also a big NO to the FB equivalent of the chain letter. Share this or have forty two years bad luck. I'm also not real keen on sick kids and a million likes so they can do Disneyland.
And please, do not believe everything you read on Facebook, or for that matter.....here.
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