Peace

I just, in the past four weeks, deleted over 400 people from my Facebook account. That's more people than were in my graduating class in high school. It's hard to believe that I added (or accepted) 400+ people that I don't know and/or talk to and/or like.

Good riddance baby mamas, Encounters with Canada kids, and other friends of friends that can no longer creep my profile.

P.S. Please don;'t try to re-add me. Let's try not to make this awkward.

Photo memories

Considering that I have not put any of my relationship information on Facebook since 2006, I find it completely eerie and a little mean that Facebook exclusively suggests that I look at old photos of exes.

Inappropriate online behaviour

Or
How to ensure that I stop following you on Facebook and Twitter
Or
How insecure can you be?

KM (this whole abbreviating names things get tough when you know 3+ KMs) asked a question via Twitter today and I had SO MANY OPINIONS I couldn't really fit it into 140 characters. The question was: TWITTER: help me. what is an appropriate amount of online PDA? i.e. lovey public wall posts, relationship statuses, nonstop @replies.... are picture albums of a couple socially appropriate? statuses that relate to couples? what traits do ppl who do that have?

My response was this: Seems to me that people who over-do online PDA are the ones who are least secure and comfortable in their relationship.

Now I'd like to expand on it.

We've all seen it in our newsfeed. At least, those of us who aren't very picky about who we add (not anymore though!). There's always that couple who can't seem to write on each other's walls enough, can't post enough pictures of themselves together, can't seem to ever get enough. As I said to KM, I think it's all about insecurity. The need to show everyone (and I mean everyone, because these people also tend to add everyone they've ever come into contact with) that they are a)in a relationship and b)happy happy and in love (or luv, as they probably type it).

The absolute worst part of this online PDA pandemic, in my opinion, is the 'couple albums' on Facebook. They are just brimming with photos of the couple looking at each other, kissing, walking, sitting, breathing... it goes on. Those are personal photos. I mean, I don't understand why you'd want them in the first place. I guess you could tack them to your wall and stare at them when you aren't staring deeply into your partner's eyes. Or you could, you know, be happy when you're with the other person, and not a complete stalker when you're not.

The other thing is these people treating their boyfriend/girlfriend's wall/Twitter page like an email account. I don't need to sign into my profile and have 20 of your personal love messages pop up. If I need to press the "hide button", I don't. I go right for the "remove friend" (/unfollow) button.

I guess what my final answer is is this: What is an appropriate amount? A little. What is a necessary amount? None. What traits do these people share? Insecurity (!) and more insecurity.

For Pete's sake people - go live your life (and relationship) irl.

Life A.F.

I was, up until two and a half weeks ago, a well-known Facebook enthusiast. This is a nicer way of saying that I Facebooked excessively. You can ask anyone that was on a my Friends list (because I probably left wall posts for each and every one of them) and they will tell you the same sad story - Lauren Edwards was tireless in her Facebook use. I messaged everyone on their birthday, regardless of how close we were or if I had only added them to snoop through their photos. I more often than not would respond to a wall post in under 60 seconds. When people uploaded photos, I would be the first to comment (in under a minute after upload) and the one to comment most. I 'liked' things and commented on people's statuses. I joined the groups for bands that I like. I actually had 80+ Facebook photo albums.

But then, one day, I quit Facebook, cold turkey. Hard to believe, I know. But you know what? Life After Facebook (A.F.) is great. I spend a total of maybe 30 minutes online everyday now - minus work-related Internet use. I check my Twitter two or three times a day, which takes about 2 minutes. The only other stops on Lauren's Internet ride are here and Texts from Last Night. Every few days I check my Dal email.

Life without social networking is liberating. I don't know what anyone is up to, and I love it. I don't know that the boy I have unreciprocated feelings for is wooing another girl through love lyrics on her FB wall. I have no idea who is dating or engaged. I never see photos of people having a good time without me.

I'm not saying I'll never return to Facebook. I mean, when asked for my reason for "deleting" my account, I checked off the box that says "This is temporary - I'll be back." I didn't even believe I would last the week. What I am saying, for now, is that I like not knowing what people are doing. When people say they have something to tell me, I never fail to be surprised. I don't have to say, Oh I already saw that in my news feed. And I think people appreciate having at least one person in the world surprised at their exciting news.

I'm only going to break break your, break break your heart

Just thought I'd let my loyal fans know that no, I did not delete you from Facebook. I deleted Facebook. Yup.

In more important news, the Habs defeated the Caps tonight to win the series 4-3. Moving on to the Pens. Halak was amazing once more. And I was even fortunate enough to not have to watch the game alone - I watched it with a girl I work with who is a huge hockey fan. Made for a much better evening.

Went to Pumphouse tonight (you may know their beer - the commercials hugging the fire hydrant). Got their blueberry ale, which they are most famous for. I've had it bottled, but on tap it is to die for. They serve it with blueberries floating in it, too - so good. Highly recommend!

I am heading home tomorrow. Hopefully to stay, for a while anyway.

Welcome to the gun show

Came across this little gem while I was on my friend's profile page leaving her a message: