The Too-Connected Life
...and I'm not talking about marriage or Torah study....no, I'm talking about the fact that I barely have time for either of these important aspects of life; it's a challenge to find time to walk the dogs (0530 seems to work best or late at night); I haven't seen a gym or pool since October; I now need to schedule coffee with friends; and why is this?
Because I spend eight to nine hours a day on a computer doing work. I'm not complaining--Thank G-d I have work in this economy! But when I'm done, I need to pay bills, answer emails, fax personal documents, and update Facebook.
Yes, Facebook.
I've been Facebooked. This started out as a harmless way for several ulpan friends to stay in touch when we all ended our class together. It's Mona's fault! No, really, Mona was kind enough to set me up on Facebook and show me the basics. Then others showed me how to upload photos. Then I connected with some old friends and they have mutual friends, and that led to more connecting with other friends......and now I have pictures, and they have pictures, and I get to see my friends' vacation pictures, follow my stepdaughters' travel adventures and baby pictures, keep in touch through pictures and brief notes with people Far Away.
Think Harry Potter-like photo album with constantly changing messages and pictures in real time.
Neat, huh?
And exhausting. And it's all done on computer. I owe emails to about 12 people; I owe my family more quality time; I owe myself a break from the screen.
I enjoy reading Other People's Blogs -- travel, politics, culture, books, life in (insert name of country here)......but who has time?!
I can't even find time to post on my own blog.
I'm not a big fan of lying by a pool in a deserted desert spa setting.....but recently, between work, bills, Facebook, blogging (or not), keeping up with other bloggers, receiving and sending emails.....I feel like I have my own power cable attached to the electronic contraptions on my desk and they're eating their way into my brain.....
Resistance is Futile....I'm being assimilated.....and I suspect sitting by a desert pool for a few days without anything electronic to do might be The Cure.
posted by aliyah06 at 7:55 PM
5 Comments:
"Harry Potter-like photo album with constantly changing messages and pictures"
It's surely the most laudatory description of facebook I've ever heard. :)
As for taking a few days away from the computer - something tells me that, like for most of us - it's too late. :)
Go for The Cure, Girl! I know what you mean. Teenangels got me started on Facebook... which I have subsequently dropped. I think I got tired of being snowballed or werewolved or what-have-you'd... The teenangels have figured out how to keep in touch in other ways. I do miss seeing other people's "status updates" and photos; but the maintenance was beginning to make me feel as if I lived in the Matrix. Nice to get outside, and feel the winds of Israel blowing on my face. Ahhhhh.... the sweet release of unhooking periodically from Cyberspace...
Oy--tell me about it!
I love FB. I have found old friends, and have made new friends. It is totally addictive and yes, I should be on it less, but who are we kidding, I'd find some other way to procastinate anyway.
I'm glad that facebook hasn't hooked me. I do have an account, but I prefer blogs and emails and PEOPLE, f2f.
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