Social Networking

I admit, that just like many people, I'm a little bit more than addicted to social networking.

It's a tool--a way to keep in touch with people who are far away, and a way to promote my Etsy and eBay shops. I can promote my blog on it, and let's face it, it's fun to chat with friends and share pictures. I get that not everyone thinks it's worth checking into Facebook or Twitter every day, or even keeping a blog like this one--and that's fine.

That said, there are some little etiquette breaches I've been noticing of late that bug me a little bit. It's not enough to make me mad, but it bugs me a little and makes me even quieter on social networking.

First case: A few days ago, I posted about honoring the memory of little Caylee Anthony. I haven't kept up with the case enough to have a strong opinion one way or the other about who did it, who might have done it, etc. The bottom line is a beautiful little girl was brutally killed and discarded like garbage. My status immediately turned into a debate between two friends (who are not connected to each other in any way) about our justice system and a comment from another friend (unconnected to the other two) about what a travesty it is that women can have abortions!

Head, meet desk.

Look, opinions are fine--even those that directly contrast my own. But taking a simple status update in which I wished to memorialize a murdered toddler and making it about your own world views is just...gross. I don't know. I let everyone know as gently as possible that I wasn't amused and didn't want to start a debate. That blew over, life moved on. One friend apologized, even.

Another thing I've noticed--every time I post something along the lines of, "Hey, I've got a job interview!" I get an overwhelmingly positive response from a lot of people. A lot of "likes" and a lot comments wishing me good luck and success. It's quite heart-warming. But then there are always those couple of people who respond with, "Why would you want to live in [insert city name here]?!"

To which I reply, "Well, I'd actually just be delighted to, you know, have a job again. Not gonna be too picky!" I haven't (yet) been rude enough to respond with, "Well hell, it's better than where you live!" Don't think I haven't been tempted.

But tonight...tonight takes the cake. Maybe I'm feeling overly sensitive. Or maybe it's the fact that this "friend" is someone who hasn't commented on one thing of mine on Facebook in months, maybe even a year. Tonight I made a reference to the good-natured ribbing I sometimes take for having set up a Facebook account for my cat. And how tonight, after a couple of days since the last time "Millie" logged in, she's received 18 new friend requests--all from other cats.

Again, most of the responses have been positive. But then, Old High School Friend has to comment that maybe I need a new hobby.

I wanted to say something rude, I really did. Instead, I deleted her comment.

Yes, folks, Meg is silly. Meg has a lucky rubber duck, and her cat has a Facebook page, and Meg makes cards and promotes them all over the place. Meg has a lot of time on her hands. Meg has a Snoopy collection and she takes pictures of signs, Tweets the drummer of Keane and writes silly haiku poems and limericks. Meg does not have a boyfriend or a husband or children. But guess what? She's having a lot more fun than some of you, stuck in your nine-to-fives and your imagination-less existences.

I honestly believe that when people make these comments, it's because part of them is just...jealous. Envious of the fact that I can (and do) make time to retain some of my childish ability to just have fun with life. Or that I don't really care (most of the time) what people think of the duck, or the cat's Facebook profile, or the prolific blogging, or the jobless state, or the lack of a significant other. I'm just living, doing the best I can, and having as many adventures as I can because face it, people--life is short, and it's precious. So I'm going to carry the duck around--do you know how many conversations have started with random strangers I otherwise would never have the courage to talk to because of it? I'm going to have a Facebook profile for my cat, because through that I befriend other crazy cat people and learn of ways to make the world a better place for cats through education and spreading knowledge (plus, Mom has another neighbor to visit in Pet Society).

If that bothers you...well, unfriend me. Because I don't need the negativity.