Thursday, May 13, 2010

It’s not You, it’s Me. Wait, never mind, yes it is You

“I’ve got eight things in the air and the phone’s ringing off the hook…”
Crack the Mirror ~ Melissa Ferrick

So we went off and traveled the country, saw family and friends, went to sporting events and all that other happy crap I told everyone we were planning to do a fracking month ago when I last updated my blog (!!!!!!) which got me thinking… Clearly at least one of those eight things has got to go.

I began evaluating all the stuff I do, or want to do and realized that up until a year or so ago I was getting along just fine without two daily interferences -- paying my bills and Facebook.

Although they have come to make a home in a corner of my living room, unfortunately a person is only allowed to file bankruptcy once in a six year period so the bills are here to stay. It isn’t an ideal situation but I’ll just toss a shoji screen up in that corner to hide their piles of laundry or something and go on with my day as if they don’t live here. We can co-exist just fine as long as we only have to see each other once a month.

Facebook on the other hand…

That evil bastard not only moved into the house, he took over three quarters of the bed, my sofa, ate all the food in the refrigerator and left his dirty laundry in the middle of the floor. I’ve known for a long time that our relationship is slightly dysfunctional but I thought I had enough effort to give for the both of us.

I was wrong.

The time that Facebook sucks out of my life is time I can never get back again and really I could find such better use of that time. For example, I could visit my old friend Random Lunacy who I have seriously neglected over the past few months in order to spend time with the new boyfriend. I’m so very sorry RL, why I ever gave up on you I have no idea, I guess I felt as if there might be something better out on the horizon but it turns out I was wrong. I hope you can find it in your virtual heart to forgive me.

It also wouldn’t hurt to spread a little joy to a few of my other lovers, like my drum kit (yes a real live one finally purchased), treadmill, or sewing machine. Heck even my paint brushes are feeling slightly left out in the cold and they’ve seen the light of day in the past couple weeks.

What I’m really trying to say, Facebook, is that I have no problem having lunch occasionally, or maybe a morning cup of coffee, but I just can’t hang around and play Scrabble with you at all hours of the night anymore and share links with you for stories that you never even read. I’m taking a break from you and focusing on the things that matter again. I’ll miss you a little bit I’m sure but we’ll find a way to make it work.

Friends?

10 comments:

Bridgete said...

Yeah, it took me a while to figure out how to manage my Facebook time. I've definitely been playing games a lot more lately, but I think it's the 3L-itis making me want to procrastinate more than anything. When I start studying for the bar I'll be cutting back on the Facebook. But I'll also be MIA from the blogging, so you might want to appear on Facebook every once in a while just to check up on my status updates. ;)

See you soon! <3<3<3

Chris said...

Jenn is no longer in a relationship with Facebook.

Jenn and Random Lunacy are now friends.

ginger said...

I totally get this!!! And it's funny too! You still got it, Jenn.

Silly me, I thought you were off editing novels this whole time.

pastrywitch said...

FB does take up a lot of time, and I don't even play games...

Almost Precious said...

♫ Welcome back ♪♫ Jenn - good to see a new post on Random again...makes me want to hum the theme song to "Welcome Back Kotter"...♪♫ wellllcome baack ♫♪

Rosebud Collection said...

Isn't it funny how Facebook can get you hooked..I have to admit, I am not that great of a fan. It is just another thing to get in my way. I enjoy seeing friends/pictures..but I try so hard to keep my blog going. I think the reason I keep trying..the blog is "me"..Like your blog..it is all about "you"..
and it is more personal. Twitter is another thing. You would laugh at me..I wanted to see someone's pictures there, signed up and next thing you know..I am on Twitter..Dear God, I was lost and got out of there quick.
Blogging is very hard to keep going..but I have made so many wonderful friends, like you, I try and keep it going..One day I might even get our Etsy store back..Lord, I have let so much slip..so you see, you are not alone.
Anyway, take care and enjoy the beautiful weather..we are doing the same..xoxoRosebud

Jenn Flynn-Shon said...

@Bridgete, don't worry I'll still be over there but just can't do all the extraneous stuff anymore. Status updates are enough!

Jenn Likes Chris' comment.

@Ginger the major edits were done a while ago, my 3 test subjects are just wrapping up their read through now then I finalize edits, get the free NaNo sponsored copy, & its off to shop (scary but exciting!)

@Kate its like a train wreck, I can't not look at everything...

@Anna I now have that song stuck in my head...though the names have been changed since you hung around...

@Carolyn oh don't even get me started on Twitter! I set up an account & now the only thing I use it for is to post links to my other blog posts lol. Its a waste to have it but I keep feeling like as a self employed gal its important to keep the name out there. Ugh!

Joan said...

The pictures of friends and family are the best part of facebook for me.
Love your writing! I know I am always going to have a good read, when you post!

Suldog said...

Facebook is really good for finding old friends and acquaintances. Other than that, it has little place in my life. I post the occasional direction to a blog post I'm proud of, and that's it. No games, no 40-word observations about what I had for lunch...

You bought a real drum kit? Cool! We could jam sometime. I'll bring my bass and we'll annoy hell out of the neighbors for an hour or two :-)

Karen said...

Isn't it crazy how much time FB can take up in a day! I've reconnected with so many people through it though, that I'm happy to have it. 'Scuse me now... have to get back to my Farm. LOL