The Down Side of Status Updates

Social Media sites like Facebook have become a live journal of our every day lives. Average users check in and update their status updates one to two times a day. More active users check in sometimes, every few minutes; some posts very Poignant and thoughtful and others, well- how should I say it- just plain useless!

We list what we had for breakfast,or lunch, or dinner... or about our walk around the block; that we are sitting in traffic etc... it becomes a cathartic part of our every day lives.

Like most, I fall somewhere in the middle: of posting good information, my curiosities and insights, and yes, sometimes, I too will post what might seem like to others as my "every move".

I left out of town on a family emergency early this morning. When I got to my destination, I posted one of those thoughtless status updates: "I've landed". Very simple.

While I had covered most of my responsibilities, someone who felt that I had left a stone unturned was outraged by the fact that they learned on Facebook that I had left town.

Now, given that I will own my responsibility in not S-P-E-L-L-I-N-G out for this person my exact plans, and because I had prioritized the loose ends I needed to tie up, I had yet to send them what they had requested. After-all, it was still well over 24 hours before they needed the information.

Anyway, my question now is, had I NOT posted that update, would they have ever cared that I had left especially when what they needed landed in their email inbox?
My suspicion is, probably not. They would have never gotten worked up, feeling like I forgot about our agreement or been disappointed that I had left without them knowing.

So the moral of this story is, even the most simple of posts can begin to open cans of worms we didn't even know we had!

How life can change in the blink of an eye

I received a call tonight, the kind that you never want to receive. No, it wasn't a telemarketer, or a bill collector... but rather, my Dad on the other end of the line choking back tears.
When he gathered himself, I heard the words "she died". He was referring to my beautiful cousin, Julie, 43, a single mom of 2, who passed unexpectedly from a heart attack today. As I heard the broken details through his emotions, I sat stunned. He passed the phone to my mom, (whom, just one year ago, we were concerned about losing her to breast cancer) who was devastated over the loss of her youngest niece.

After many phone calls and hours of shock, I jumped on Facebook for some mindless surfing. I found myself on Julie's page looking at her pictures and the many messages left by those who had heard the tragic news.

As I scrolled down, I saw two things that brought both a tear to my eye and a smile to my heart:


Carlee (19 year old Daughter away at college) to Julie (aka "Mom"): hey mom. :) just wanted to say hi.. ! hope you have an amazing week!! see you wednesday night!!!!!! LOVE and MISS you.
Yesterday, 6:24 pm.

Carlee had no idea, when she posted that message to her Mom that less than 24 hours later, her mother would be getting her "wings".

I also noticed, that Julie's last post read: What a beautiful day !!! (last Wednesday)

I am so glad that I have that to look back to and know, that while life wasn't always easy for this hard working, single mom, she could still find beautiful things to post on Facebook.

I think it's an honor to be able to have such a "record" of sorts of the final hours of someone's life. While her death was unexpected, (and definitely stings) I can look back and "hear" her voice through her status updates.

Thanks, Facebook.

Rest in Peace "Julie Bub"

Integrity & Etiquette on the Internet

So, this past week (in particular)I have witness some very inappropriate an unethical things on Facebook, particularly in the business community. It amazes me how people feel free to leave their social etiquette at the door (or at the log in) and behave in ways online that they would NEVER do in person!

Now, I think we can all agree that there are differences in opinions, freedom of speech and all that jazz, but even though Emily Post hasn't written the book on Social Media Etiquette, I still believe that general social etiquette applies.

I was frustrated on Tuesday about the lack of etiquette (and integrity) that people were showing on the wonderful "FB", so I posted the following statement: "Facebook has exhausted me this week... etiquette people, etiquette!" Within minutes I had several responses, most of which were in support of my statement. Of course there is always "one", who has to post and it went a little something like this:
"No one is going to tell me how to be on Facebook. There is no Facebook Etiquette and how dare you try and tell me how I need to be"...

Really? And to top it off, I didn't even know the guy! I doubt I had even noted a post of his or ever had a conversation (in person or online) and yet for some reason he felt as though my statement was directed towards him!

Now, I am definitely not the Facebook police, nor do I want to be, but I just can't stand to see people (especially in the local business community) berate one another publicly, post their own business ads on someone else's fan page, or completely harass people via chat etc...

Do they somehow feel that Facebook is a vehicle for which they should let their true feelings show regardless if it is at the expense of other people?

Inaugural Post

So I have been debating about starting a blog about my "Facebook Adventures" for quite some time now. I have loved it, hated it, smiled and had my blood boiling, all on the same day (sometimes in the same hour).

I used to refer to myself as a Facebook "junkie" but over the past 2 years of using it I have come to learn tips and tricks that have helped manage my time and still keep up to date.

Because of Facebook and the nature of my work (professionally networking) I have been able to meet some amazing people, connect with old friends and learn so much about human nature.

I was a Social Worker in my previous "life" so I find human nature (People Watching is a favorite pass time) fascinating and I don't think there is a better place, on or offline, to view people at their "core". While it has made me laugh, smile and cringe, we humans are what we are, and I will be posting from here on out about my Adventures (and the adventures of others) on Facebook!

ENJOY!