Saturday, January 10, 2009

True Confessions

I need to come clean about something.

Deep breath.

Okay, here I go.

I have no flipping clue how to keep up with all the social network sites. I have no idea how other people do it. I had to ask my son how to write on someone's wall on facebook, and after he got over how funny he found it that I was even on facebook (and no, he does not want to "friend" me) he showed me. But, later, when I wanted to do it again I couldn't remember how (and I'm pretty smart) and I was too embarrassed to ask him again. So, if you are wondering why I don't write on your wall, that's why.



I'm on goodreads. And apparently have lotso' friends. I'm also on shelfari and belong to several groups (or so it says).

I have a page on Red Room. Myspace, too. And the afore-mentioned Facebook (under my non-author name).

Oh, and also LibraryThing.

For all I know I'm on bunches of other social networks. Periodically I'll get an e-mail notification that someone wants to be my friend. And it all seems so cheery. Smiley. I mean I wasn't even working at it and BAM! what do I know but, hey, a new friend! Some of the names are even people I know. People I AM friends with in real life. But there's this whole virtual reality world that just seems a little too Jetson-y to me. (Okay, time for another true confession . . . I never liked Star Wars or Star Trek.)



And I keep thinking perhaps I'm missing out on something. But then I think that if I spend all my time trying to connect "in space" I'll never get anything accomplished in my real bricks-and-mortar life.

Don't get me wrong . . . I love e-mail and blogging and the friends I've made through the cyberworld. And if you ask me to "friend" you I'll happily comply. But don't be offended if I fail to write on your wall or join your group. I'm not being a virtual snob; I just don't know how to do so.

And please please please don't suggest twitter or flicker. Those would send me right over the edge, I fear.

But, feel free to shoot me an e-mail. Or go really radical and pick up the phone and call me. Don't worry--I'll get back to you. And even though I have caller-ID, I never screen my calls.

* * * * *
By the way, I'm tickled to have all the new visitors because of the book giveaway (see previous post). And the contest runs through Jan. 21.

6 comments:

Lisa said...

You're not alone! I was dedicated to LibraryThing...for a while and then someone invited me to Shelfari and I think maybe even another one and now I realize I never add my new books anymore. LibraryThing will just have to be frozen in time at circa mid-2008.

I ended up on Facebook several months ago because I think someone invited me. I didn't do anything with it for the longest time, except back then it seemed like somebody was always sending me a flower or poking me or writing on my wall and I mostly ran out of the room when it happened because I didn't know what to do. Now, people seem to have calmed down with the gadgets and I don't mind checking the page now and then and looking at the newsfeed to see what people are up to. Lately, I even update my status every day (which is not to say I won't quit doing that anytime). And Twitter! I liked it for a while and now...not so much. It's pretty distracting. I usually update something once or twice a day and that's it.

So don't feel bad! If we kept up with all these social networking sites, we'd have no time for anything else -- and I don't mean just writing, I mean eating, showering, cleaning the house...

Lynne Griffin and Amy MacKinnon said...

This whole virtual reality world seems a little too Jetson-y to me.

I agree, and yet, I've started a new blog with Amy. Thanks for the link.

Lynne

Hank Phillippi Ryan said...

Yes! a PHONE CALL. What a truly radical concept. You genius.

I have emailed and facebooked with people (waaay to much, and hey, I'm coming to find you on FB now..)and yes it's fun and interesting. And you can email in the middle of the night and not bother anyone.

But at one point, a few days ago, after email back and forthing with someone who wanted me to help her with research about being a TV reporter, I just said wait--want to talk on the phone?

YOu can't believe how quick and easy it was.

LarramieG said...

And just think, Judy, that in between all of that people are texting! ;)

Daisy said...

I'm on GoodReads, too, and I haven't had a chance to read a single update. Twitter is simple, and plurk is fun, but I don't have a Facebook page. My MOTHER has a Facebook page!

Carleen Brice said...

I think I've overextended myself online a bit. Too many sites to maintain and hang out on! Social networking is supposed to HELP, right??