At first I would try to explain. "We-ell, you see..." Nothing. Pearls before swine, as my old French teacher used to say. (Er, not that my friends are swine, mind you. They are perfectly wonderful if not lacking a bit in their willingness to join the world of web 2.0.) Then I would become defensive. They sensed it, I know they did because they came after me with relish. It showed on my face I am sure. "Who do you, what is it called, "tweet" to?" "Why are you always posting things on Facebook?" "Don't you have anything to do?" I hated that last line most of all.
I do, ofcourse. I have a lot to do. I am a mother of three, with two being twins for crying out loud. But sometimes, while taking a break from shopping or cooking or folding or whatever else it is that makes my days fly, I escape to my digital world. There I meet other women who, like me, have children and are active in the PTSA and maybe even work, but who also see value in social networking. I consider these women enlightened. We didn't fit into any stereotypes in which our respective societies would have liked to place us. We do all the same things everyone else does. We just add a little online time into the mix.
Why do I do it, then? First and foremost, I enjoy it. No excuses. There I said it. It is fun. I also do it to communicate with my friends and family abroad. They see photos of my family, my girls, my parents. Portraits like those by Sears Portrait Studio. Or my own photos - beautiful, rich and online. In addition, it is a creative outlet for me. It is my form of painting, crafting and scrapbooking. Finally, I love the world of blogging and social networking because it is evolving. It goes beyond the "who wore whats" to lunch. It's new technology, another device or a change to a program that keeps my mind sharp.
So now BlogHer 10 is coming. This is my chance to meet those otherwise faceless-but-for-their-avatars women who, like me, get it. That is why I would like to go. It is a portion of my world, gathered together, sharing and explaining and loving every minute of it. And if I get to attend, it will be my turn to relish my little digital pastime as I explain why I can't meet them for lunch.
By the way, did I mention they ALL have Facebook accounts now?...
Disclosure: This post is a contest entry. Sears Portrait Studio is giving away a two-day, full conference pass for one lucky mom to attend BlogHer in New York City, August 6-7, 2010. Boy I hope I win. :)
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Where is that going to be?
ReplyDeleteHi Panamamama,
ReplyDeleteIt is in NYC. Here is the link but unfortunately it's sold out. http://blogher10.eventbrite.com/ You can add yourself to the wait list if you like.
great blog!
ReplyDeletei for one am estatic that you're a social network butterfly, that's how you were able to locate myself and a few other classmates/friends who haven't heard from nor seen each other in (ahem-ahem-ahem) years!!! and...even though i haven't physically seen you in forever and have yet to meet your beautiful family i already feel like we've hung out a few dozen times just from your posting and photo uploading alone!