Facebook has stolen my precious blogging time.
Initially, I thought I was too mature (a nicer word for old) to be on this site. After all, it’s demographic is 17 to 25 year olds, and I am growing further and further away from the intended target age, as my younger brothers repeatedly remind me. However, having logged on, I was inundated with friend requests… those whom I worked with and, much to my surprise, a large number of people I knew in high school.
Being on Facebook was like having a mini high school reunion. I was transported back thirteen years, reconnecting with people who otherwise would not be a part of my life. It gave me permission to be apart of that high school community again. Nostalgia quickly took over and I found myself searching through my friend’s “friend list” looking for people from my past. I’d spend hours reading people’s profile and wall messages, browsing through their photos, satisfying my voyeuristic compulsion. I felt great affection and detachment towards my old friends.
So much time has gone by. I don't speak to anyone I went to high school with (until Facebook). The Memories of these “friends” live in the recesses of my mind, brought to light, only as a triggered reflex to a present image or incident. At times I look at them and yearn only to remember them as teenagers, un-aged by time, marriage and children.
I am not the type of person who would go to my high school reunion. I wouldn’t want to sit and reminisce about a past life, and I do not care to prove my worth by embellishing my life’s stories to old friends who have become complete strangers.
One-up-man-ship is rampant on Facebook. It’s evident even in the accumulation of friends. I, in my infinite rebellion, have rejected and deleted people on my friends list that I have not messaged or do not care to think about. Initially, I let some in because I was drunk on Facebook enthusiasm. But now I refuse to participate. I am NOT a Facebook whore, padding my list in an attempt to appear popular. In fact, if I could I’d delete more people, but frustratingly, some I must keep for political reason.
However, despite my negative skew on reconnecting with old friends and acquaintances, there are a few that I am surprisingly glad to be in touch with and it’s fantastic to know that they are doing well.
I have grown bored of Facebook. I have returned from my blogging hiatus renewed and refreshed!
