Revival

It's been nearly five years since I last wrote. I've been needing an outlet, and so I'm back. In a new state, with a new job, and a second child. My life is pretty good. I'm sure specifics will come out in due time.

I swore off Facebook. I even deactivated my account. So what, you're thinking? Well, it's kind of a big deal for me because I was one of those people who became rather addicted to it and spent way too much time perusing pages of people who mostly are "imaginary" friends. I've been off it for nearly three weeks now and I admit that I miss interacting with some of them. Maybe 10 or so. However, I really don't miss the other 290+ "friends." Let's be honest, it's kind of strange to feel so in the dark now about what's going on (at least a little) in various people's lives. But seriously, I don't see almost all of them in real life anyway, so I'm not really missing out on anything, am I? It's like I made it all up--I was living in this virtual world that didn't really exist. The other thing that's strange about not being on FB is that now when I take pictures, I can't post them. I don't know what to do with them if I can't share them!! So, of course, I keep thinking that I could revive my online Picasa photos and share with selected individuals. I suppose, but then I'd have to email them. With FB, you post them and if people want to look they will, if not, they keep on scrollin'. Emailing people sort of forces them to look or feel badly if they don't. Lame. The digital age is really strange for socialization.

It was time to focus on real life and my husband and my children and my work. I don't want my face stuck to my phone all day long. What kind of message is that sending my children? I also caught half of this segment on NPR a couple of weeks ago and it stated so bluntly, "STOP IGNORING YOUR CHILDREN. IT'S HURTING THEM." I've had a smartphone for 2.5 years now and I've battled my desires to constantly be looking at it. I used to annoy my husband. He got a smartphone last fall and now I chide him about how much time he spends on it. It drives me nuts, actually. I read him some of the linked article and I could tell he felt bad, but I think he's going to have to come to the realization of the overuse on his own.

My daughter will be starting middle school in the fall and we will have to get her a cell phone. How can we teach her good habits when we aren't exhibiting them? She already spends more time on the computer than I would like, chatting with her friends. Speaking of which, it's past time that I check her email and chat history and URL history. She's been known to get herself in a little trouble here and there.

I have to go to class and I don't want to. So tempted to skip. But, only 3 more classes left. Then only two more classes that I HAVE to take EVER. Still dissertation work to do, but at least the stress of coursework will be done. Can't wait.

There will be more, maybe even today.

--LG