I'm Back

Computer woes were fixed. Woohoo!

Computer Woes

[crickets chirping]

It's been pretty quiet here lately; I'm having computer woes and funny things are happening with blogs, Facebook and my 10-year-old operating system. If you haven't heard from me on your blog or on Facebook it's because I can't comment or even give you a status update [gasp!]. I feel so disconnected.

I think the stars are aligning to signal that it's time to either a) upgrade my crap or b) take a time-out from the computer. But here I am on my laptop so ah-hah take that stars!! (I'm kidding of course, you should never mess around with the stars.)

Seriously though, the lack of dependability on my PC is stressing me out and downright annoying. Thankfully I live with a geek who has my best interest - and indirectly his - at heart. He's helping me out as I type. Sigh. I heart my geek.

So rest assured that I am still alive and kicking, hoping to be kicking online soon like I was before. But maybe, just maybe in the meantime, I shall heed the stars and step away from the computer to seize the day. Or maybe I'll just continue surfing on my laptop.

Reflections of a Facebook Newbie

Things that have crossed my mind since joining Facebook two weeks ago:

• Now I have one more thing to check when I log in: email, my blog, other blogs, Facebook.
• For the past four years I've worked to keep my life separate from my ex-husband's, now there's a chance our lives may connect virtually through mutual friends. It's forcing me to manage those connections and deal with some baggage. I'm not sure to what extent I'm ready for that.
• It's fun to connect - or re-connect - with friends and family through casual comments, questions & photos. I enjoy getting a glimpse into their everyday lives.
• I crave validation and want to belong just as much as I did in junior high. Although I'm not all that surprised, I didn't think it would be that immediate or obvious; joining Facebook brought those insecurities to the surface. Damn.
• Since joining Facebook, I spend more time writing and reading snippets of information and less time writing and reading in-depth pieces. I want to manage that. I don't want my writing and blog posts to take a hit.
• When I look people up on Facebook I feel like a stalker. I'm not sure I'm comfortable with that.
• Connecting with the girls from Squam on Facebook brings me right back to last September's magical weekend in New Hampshire. It keeps me in tune with a creative vibe that makes me feel alive and fills me with Love and possibility. It feels good.

Facebook challenges my ability to manage my time, my emotional reactions and my priorities more than I thought it would. It also allows me to nurture existing connections with friends & family, and opens me to new connections and opportunities that otherwise might not happen.

As I read through my list of thoughts, I can't help but wonder if it's having the same effect on others and if so, what kind of impact - pros and cons - could that mean for society as more and more people adopt a "Facebook" way of life?

Just a few thoughts from a Facebook newbie...

Confessions of a Technophobe

I still do my banking over the phone. I work in an IT shop – have been for 14 years – and I’ve yet to embrace Web banking.

There. I said it.

When it comes to adopting new technology I’m usually at the tail end of the pack; I’m never the first one to try out the latest & greatest. I like waiting until anything new has been tried, tested, and had the crap kicked out of it before I hop on the bandwagon and by that time the bandwagon’s long gone busying itself with something much more exciting.

I don’t feel at a disadvantage, but I am starting to feel uneasy at the prospect of being left behind. I feel an unexplained urge to take a plunge – or at least a dip – into the world of Web and technology. So, using baby steps, during the next few months I will look at the tools I use and the technology-related habits I've adopted to see if they’re optimal for what I want to do. Are they limiting me? Are there missed opportunities for connection and creativity because of my reluctance to explore new software, hardware or online tools?

“Web 2.0 isn’t about age, it’s about attitude”, I heard at a seminar last week. Hm. Maybe it’s time for this technophobe to work on an attitude shift.

I'll let you know how that goes.