Friends across the net

Several years ago Vic and I became friends with Deb and Lori on Myspace. We left comments on each others walls and followed each others lives through the pictures and blogs that were posted. We later moved them over to facebook and became even closer thru moves across the country, job changes, new pets and so on.

This past week we had the opportunity to actually meet in person when they came to Siesta Key and stayed in one of our rental properties, and the impact of how much you learn about people from social media really hit home. It was as if we had known each other for years and we had such a great time!  We already knew what picture "whores" we all were from the thousands of photos we've shared online so it was no surprise when the cameras and phones came out and pictures started appearing on facebook and twitter. Our night out to dinner was great but I think we laughed even harder once we got home and started reading all the comments on facebook about our photos!

Here are a few from our night at Sharkys in Venice..

How Times Have Changed

I posted a note on my facebook about how much times have changed since Soaps first aired on the radio back in the 30's & 40's. When Guiding Light went off the air I was crushed because I had followed that show since high school. I was happy when I saw that it was continuing on via Twitter. Then just this week I was watching All My Children and Erica Kain is getting ready to go on her honeymoon (don't ask me how many times she has been married, I just know it's in the double digits!) She mentions to her daughter Brianna that she can follow her on her blog while she is away.

So anyway...after posting this note about how far we've come I started getting comments about the generation today not knowing what it was like not to be so connected to everything.  This is so true.

A few years ago I went on a cruise and was forced to say goodbye to my computer and cell phone for a week. It was the most relaxing vacation I had been on in YEARS just because I had no contact with the outside world (no bill collectors, no problems from work, no heartbreaking news headlines, no spam).

I find it very hard  to go anywhere without my cell phone. I have no idea how we ever did it without them! On the rare times I've left the house with my cell phone sitting on my nightstand I about have a panic attack that today will be the day I have a flat tire or run out of gas.

And then there is facebook,twitter,myspace Etc. I think it is fantastic to be back in touch with so many friends from high school and my family and everyone else I am friends with on facebook. Would graduation not been as sad if I had known I'll still be in touch via facebook?

So some might say the kids today are really missing out on what we had but I'm happy that kids will be in touch more with their families and friends online. I would have loved to have followed my grandparents on facebook! I am thrilled when my dad posts new pictures of what he is doing since he moved to TN last year. It makes me feel closer and a part of his life.