Facebook: Are you a Fanatic?

I’m a Facebook fanatic (FF). I can’t help it. After several months of being a member I am a total junkie but like on day one I have no idea why. I mean, I have reconnected with some total blast-from-the-past friends which has been fun but otherwise I just don’t know. I have written about it before but it’s still on my mind. I think because I have been abandoning my Nola Mom duties and feel very guilty about it. They say that something isn’t a problem for you if it doesn’t interfere with other parts of your life-well, Facebook falls into that category. I even dream in Facebook-it is crazy-like I dream about typing in my status or dream about that someone else has added a “friend” But I guess I did the same with blogging when I first got on the bandwagon. If anyone can explain the addiction, why I just can’t stop, it would be greatly appreciated.

I went to a fundraiser, golly, I’m old, a few weeks before Gustav. J was talking to this guy he knew. A mutual friend of ours walked up and this guy says to her, “Oh my God, I’m addicted to Facebook!” and the sad thing was that I knew he looked familiar….from Facebook!!!! I swear to you that I ran into at least 3 acquaintances whom I would have otherwise ignored had they not been my “friends” on Facebook. Maybe it’s bringing me out of my shell a bit. I know I can come across as a total bitch when in reality it’s just a bit of lingering shyness and insecurity leftover from my teen years but Facebook has made me BOLD!!! Okay, I’m being a little silly but there is some truth to it.

Please, please, please, if you are a FF like me, chime in and let me know why you too are one.

Facebook

I do not get it. I am a fairly new member and I am trying to figure it out. But I just can't. The sad thing is is that it's like crack. I am addicted to it. I sit and wait and wait some more-for new photos, status updates, whatever. I'm like a dog waiting for a bone. If you are not familiar with the Facebook phenomenon I will try and explain it to you. But I am not making any promises that you will understand it any better than I do.

You see, you have friends. Only your friends can see your stuff. And then I guess by using six degrees of separation theory Facebook sends you pictures of people you may know and then you can 'friend' them too. The first few days I was a member I was 'friended' by people that I wouldn't even email. I thought it was so weird. Now I am that crazy stalker trying to get more 'friends'. I am just trying to keep up with the Joneses. The Joneses have something like 400 'friends'. I barely have 17. and that took an effort.

Anyway, my point is..I sit and wait for these status updates. Let me give you an example of a status update:

Jane is just finished taking a dump.
Bill is going out to dinner.
Amanda is about to go party with her friends.

That's what I sit waiting for. and when there is an update. Wahooooo! I get so excited. But pissed at the same time. Pissed that I have checked this stupid thing 10 times in the last 30 minutes and even more peeoed that I am excited that I just found out that Jane just finished her business.

If anyone can shed some light on this phenomenon for me, I would be most pleased.