Breaking the Fast

Happy Easter!  Today marks the official end of my forty day social networking fast.  It was tough at first, mainly because I didn't realize how attached I'd gotten to instant messaging.  Once I got going, it wasn't too bad, but I did have my moments when I felt like relapsing.  I was able to resist temptation though, and I feel like I am better because of it.  Some things I learned during my stint away from social sites:

1. Focus.  I used to lie to myself and say I could "multi-task" with whatever I was doing and IM.  I realized without the constant distraction of random conversation, I was so much more productive.  My goal going forward is to minimize my IM time and concentrate on one thing at a time.
2. There's a difference between a "break" and a distraction.  Like I said in #1, I would multi-task with IM.  Problem was, I didn't realize I was taking a break.  Now I realize the difference.  So if I'm on IM now, it'll be to take a true break.
3. Pulling away is okay.  The world keeps spinning.  I'm not missing out on anything by not being on Facebook, Twitter, IM, or anything else.  If people need me, they know my number, how to text me, email me, or heaven forbid, stop by.  I'll be ok.
4. I was on too daggone much.  I inadvertently cut off my friends' messaging when I went on hiatus.  You know why?  They love me, yes, but  I was one of the only people they could depend on to always be online.  That was a problem.  So I've been able to reconnect with them on a more personal level and leave the IM behind.

So...I think my fast was successful, at least from my perspective.  We'll see what happens in the long run.

Facebook Forty-Day Fast

It's Ash Wednesday and although I've never practiced Lent before, I've been considering a fast.  But what to give up?  I thought about it and figured for me, the hardest thing would be my social networking - instant messengers, Facebook, Twitter, etc.  So, in honor of Lent, I'm cutting myself off from the IMs, the FB account, everything but the blog.  I'm not sure the exact rules, but I'll bend them to let me blog daily and post my blog via TweetDeck.  No reading posts, no checking my tags, no comments.  But this really sucks because my birthday is Friday...Maybe I'll bend the rules for Friday, too.  We'll see. 

Now I'm calling you out.  Can you give up Facebook for forty days?

Facebook Faux Pas

Awhile ago I wrote an article called "How to Tell You're Addicted to Facebook."  The article is long gone, but it's time to update it with a part two - How to Act on Facebook.  I've seen a rash of Facebook faux pas lately, so I'll take a moment here to list a few.  If you see any you may have committed, well damn.
Things we should never see on Facebook

1. During labor pics.  Yes, people take pictures of themselves giving birth.  Not the before, not the after, but the during.  The miracle of life is a wonderful thing, but if I really want to see it, I'll sit in on a high school health class or check out Spike Lee's Mo' Better Blues.  I'd rather not see your baby's crowning head pop up in my news feed.
2. Shirtless/underwear pics.  Unless you are an underwear model or trying to be discovered, I can do without seeing your nips.  You can make a special folder for those, call it "audition pics", put all your photos in there like an online portfolio.  It'll be great. Try that out.  And speaking of underwear...
3. I better not EVER see any pics of you with none on.  Enough said.
4. Questionable status updates.  I don't care if you're horny, or you just took a nasty dump, or if you've got a uti/bladder/staph infection, or if your pus-filled big toenail just fell off.  I don't want to damn know.  What do you want me to say about it?  "You're horny?  Here's some lotion and a roll of paper towels.  Knock yourself out." Or "oh you've got an infection? I have an extra penicillin prescription!  Care for one?"
5. You getting mad about people being in your business, when you put ALL YOUR BUSINESS in your status updates.  "How did you know I just got off probation for slashing Lisa's tires?"  Ummm, you put when you were stalking Lisa, how you found Lisa's address, how the GPS gave you bad directions to Lisa's house, and finally when you figured out the dull blade wouldn't cut the rubber on the tread.  You don't want me to know?  Quit telling me.

I know Facebook is about speaking your mind and all, but I don't think your itchy rash is exactly what our forefathers had in mind when they talked about free speech.  I also have the right to hide, remove, block, or simply ignore you.  And I do that too.  But do all of us a favor -  remember if you don't want to see it about me, I probably don't want to see it about you.

Power of Promotion

I'd like to try something with you all. A Butch Gibson Show introduction. If you'd like to be a part, call 513-549-3344 and say your name, where you're calling from, promote yourself, and say 'THIS is the Butch Gibson Show!'

This post was made on Facebook by my buddy Butch, who had this great idea about promotion - promote yourself by allowing others to promote themselves on your venue.  Think of it as pyramid promotion, except there's no money to be won or lost.  The sole item on the line is popularity. By promoting yourself, you gain more interest in your cause; by saying you're doing it on the Butch Gibson Show, he gains the same recognition as your venue.  It's a commonly used marketing tactic which seems relatively successful.  And seeing as he put it on his Facebook page, if a fraction of his 5 billion and 5 friends participate, he should be in great shape.  So in the spirit of promotion, I'm giving a shout out to everyone who took the time to follow, check out, or promote my blog...click on some of their links and help them out as well!

www.sirlucien.com - all things barber/hair related.  Good blog, check him out.
www.butchgibson.com - Butch Gibson, DJ Extraordinaire
http://giantleapforwomankind.com - Divorcing mother on a journey to find herself
http://robynsproject365.blogspot.com - Robyn's photo project
http://dwana365ish.blogspot.com - Dwana's photo project