usvi-on-line
Random thoughts halfway through Lent
Random thoughts halfway through Lent
Ok, I am not a really religious person, mainly because of my crappy experiences of being socially shunned by two bitches in Sunday school throughout my childhood. And the fact that it was pretty darn boring too.
But we have started going to church (Lutheran) now that my girls are older...have been going about 4-5 years now.
Lent is a big deal at our church, but not really the "giving up" part of it, like Catholics. But I thought I would give it a try this year. Mainly because I had a REALLY bad habit I needed to give up.
I was on Facebook all the time. Like a couple of hours a day and sometimes more. I was spending way more time on Facebook than with real people. I also was spending more time taking care of my farm than I was taking care of my house. If you don't believe me, go take a look at my farm and see how many pigs and sheep I have, not to mention trees I need to harvest.
So I gave up Facebook for Lent.
Results? I feel pretty liberated. I have spent way way less time on the computer. I am forcing myself to call a friend and meet for coffee or do something somewhat social once or twice a week.
I can be quite the homebody. I am pretty outgoing and love being around people , but it is very easy for me to slip in my own world and just not ever see anyone.
My house is getting cleaner. I am trying to call people instead of emailing them (about random questions related to my volunteer work or whatever).
Anways, I am a little worried when this is over I will go back. I wonder if anything happened on Facebook while I have been gone. I wonder if I were to look back over the last few weeks of postings, if there was really not much stuff that was THAT important.
Facebook is extremely entertaining, and I really enjoy keeping up with some of you guys through it.
But I wonder time-wise if it was worth it.
I hope if you are my Facebook friend you understand where I am going here....it's not that I don't care.
Would love to hear thoughts from other Facebook users. If you haven't been on it, feel free to post, but do understand that if you haven't been on, you really don't know what it is like. I held off getting a page for a long time myself because I thought it was stupid.
But there are some really neat people I have connected with and there are many parts I have really enjoyed. It just takes up so much time if you let it.
I guess I am sort of an all or nothing person and not really good about moderation. That isn't a great character trait of mine.
Oh, yeah, BTW, I routinely scored some of the highest scores in Bejewled in the WORLD. It only took a few hundred hours. I was trying to beat a girl in my highschool that really wasn't even ever my friend. She is like the best player ever. I never beat her. At the end of the week she would swoop in and beat my score in like an hour.
What was that all about.
But we have started going to church (Lutheran) now that my girls are older...have been going about 4-5 years now.
Lent is a big deal at our church, but not really the "giving up" part of it, like Catholics. But I thought I would give it a try this year. Mainly because I had a REALLY bad habit I needed to give up.
I was on Facebook all the time. Like a couple of hours a day and sometimes more. I was spending way more time on Facebook than with real people. I also was spending more time taking care of my farm than I was taking care of my house. If you don't believe me, go take a look at my farm and see how many pigs and sheep I have, not to mention trees I need to harvest.
So I gave up Facebook for Lent.
Results? I feel pretty liberated. I have spent way way less time on the computer. I am forcing myself to call a friend and meet for coffee or do something somewhat social once or twice a week.
I can be quite the homebody. I am pretty outgoing and love being around people , but it is very easy for me to slip in my own world and just not ever see anyone.
My house is getting cleaner. I am trying to call people instead of emailing them (about random questions related to my volunteer work or whatever).
Anways, I am a little worried when this is over I will go back. I wonder if anything happened on Facebook while I have been gone. I wonder if I were to look back over the last few weeks of postings, if there was really not much stuff that was THAT important.
Facebook is extremely entertaining, and I really enjoy keeping up with some of you guys through it.
But I wonder time-wise if it was worth it.
I hope if you are my Facebook friend you understand where I am going here....it's not that I don't care.
Would love to hear thoughts from other Facebook users. If you haven't been on it, feel free to post, but do understand that if you haven't been on, you really don't know what it is like. I held off getting a page for a long time myself because I thought it was stupid.
But there are some really neat people I have connected with and there are many parts I have really enjoyed. It just takes up so much time if you let it.
I guess I am sort of an all or nothing person and not really good about moderation. That isn't a great character trait of mine.
Oh, yeah, BTW, I routinely scored some of the highest scores in Bejewled in the WORLD. It only took a few hundred hours. I was trying to beat a girl in my highschool that really wasn't even ever my friend. She is like the best player ever. I never beat her. At the end of the week she would swoop in and beat my score in like an hour.
What was that all about.
"Sponges grow in the ocean...I wonder how much deeper it would be if that didn't happen."
I too realized that Farmville was sucking away my soul! I wish we could see off the items to friends!
Facebook for me is a way to peep into other peoples lives without being a peeping Tom! And I don't think it's healthy. I've become a voyeur. But a voyeur of really dumb inane activities of friends from high school.
Is this really adding anything to my life? I don't know.
I'm very inspired by your post and your challenge to yourself and might have to try it myself.
Of course, you'd had to pry my dead hands off VIOL!!!
Facebook for me is a way to peep into other peoples lives without being a peeping Tom! And I don't think it's healthy. I've become a voyeur. But a voyeur of really dumb inane activities of friends from high school.
Is this really adding anything to my life? I don't know.
I'm very inspired by your post and your challenge to yourself and might have to try it myself.
Of course, you'd had to pry my dead hands off VIOL!!!
I miss you on Facebook 
I like Facebook as a quick way to check in on what people are doing and it's also been helpful with sharing photos and stuff. For example, my brother in law is deployed and I post pictures of my niece and nephew for him so that he is always updated on what they are up to. My sister does also, but I take more pictures than she does. I've reconnected with some cousins who live far away and that's nice.
I don't do any of the games and I block them from my feed. I also don't tend to share anything really personal on my page, I save those conversations for real life. I always kept my page as something my boss or my Dad could read (which is good because my Dad recently joined Facebook and friended me, haha!). Plus John hates Facebook.
I only spend a couple of minutes a day on Facebook. I'm sure if I did the games and applications it would take a lot more of my time. Maybe when Lent is over you should block the games, if you are worried about getting sucked back in to them?
I like Facebook as a quick way to check in on what people are doing and it's also been helpful with sharing photos and stuff. For example, my brother in law is deployed and I post pictures of my niece and nephew for him so that he is always updated on what they are up to. My sister does also, but I take more pictures than she does. I've reconnected with some cousins who live far away and that's nice.
I don't do any of the games and I block them from my feed. I also don't tend to share anything really personal on my page, I save those conversations for real life. I always kept my page as something my boss or my Dad could read (which is good because my Dad recently joined Facebook and friended me, haha!). Plus John hates Facebook.
I only spend a couple of minutes a day on Facebook. I'm sure if I did the games and applications it would take a lot more of my time. Maybe when Lent is over you should block the games, if you are worried about getting sucked back in to them?
It's like looking in your soup and finding a whole different alphabet.
I gave up drinking for Lent .. I have no sympathy for you!
As for Facebook I don't play any games and don't plan to. I do find it a good way to stay in touch with folks all in one place and like Becky said it's great for sharing photos. Since I've joined I've had to hide some folks or just unfriend them. I don't need internet drama. I also use it as a way to keep up with a lot of different interests. Many different types of groups are using Facebook now and trying to draw in fans and consumers. I like that feature.
Becky, didn't know your BIL was deployed again. I hope everyone's well.
As for Facebook I don't play any games and don't plan to. I do find it a good way to stay in touch with folks all in one place and like Becky said it's great for sharing photos. Since I've joined I've had to hide some folks or just unfriend them. I don't need internet drama. I also use it as a way to keep up with a lot of different interests. Many different types of groups are using Facebook now and trying to draw in fans and consumers. I like that feature.
Becky, didn't know your BIL was deployed again. I hope everyone's well.
Last edited by mbw1024 on Tue Mar 09, 2010 11:43 am, edited 1 time in total.
I have no thoughts to share on Lent, but can relate with others' comments on FB.
I've only been active on FB two or three months with only 11 friends; half of those are old friends or relatives I connected with, and the others are forum folks who found me... all but two of whom I have met in person. I am not interested in farming, fishing, making war, etc. but I have found the fan page updates cool, and I have enjoyed seeing photos I would not have without FB. For me, checking FB has become another place to go each day (several times a day, I hate to admit) like the webcams, VIOL and on-stjohn.com. Mostly it is just another mechanism for learning more about the islands as about 96% of what I read and respond to is Virgin Island related. My daily life is pretty boring; there's not much of interest to share most of the time. Personal matters are still relayed in person, by phone or email... so if I ever run away to follow J_shie around the world you won't learn about it from FB.
djmom, I hope that you can find a comfortable middle of the road place to enjoy FB yet not feel that it is so draining.
I've only been active on FB two or three months with only 11 friends; half of those are old friends or relatives I connected with, and the others are forum folks who found me... all but two of whom I have met in person. I am not interested in farming, fishing, making war, etc. but I have found the fan page updates cool, and I have enjoyed seeing photos I would not have without FB. For me, checking FB has become another place to go each day (several times a day, I hate to admit) like the webcams, VIOL and on-stjohn.com. Mostly it is just another mechanism for learning more about the islands as about 96% of what I read and respond to is Virgin Island related. My daily life is pretty boring; there's not much of interest to share most of the time. Personal matters are still relayed in person, by phone or email... so if I ever run away to follow J_shie around the world you won't learn about it from FB.
djmom, I hope that you can find a comfortable middle of the road place to enjoy FB yet not feel that it is so draining.
... no longer a stranger to paradise
Some folks do get way too deep into the internet and/or video games. Here's a questionair to assess internet addiction:
http://www.netaddiction.com/index.php?o ... Itemid=106
And here's a recent story about extreme internet addiction
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/8551122.stm
http://www.netaddiction.com/index.php?o ... Itemid=106
And here's a recent story about extreme internet addiction
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/8551122.stm
Djmom, I have never heard about LENT, so your post made me curious. I have now “googled” it and want to ask if it means that you are fasting just now?
According to FB I joined for more than a year ago, because I wanted to see if there should be a group for my old school. There is- but none of them I have been going together with have until now joined the group. I have only 15 friends on FB, and only people, who have found me. I’m afraid to be addicted, so I do not look for more “ friends”. But I have to admit that I sometimes enjoy to see, what happens on my “friends” facebook profile.
But what has wondered me is that I get a lot of information about one of my friends, who participate in a game with the name “Farmville” Something about that he has found a calf, are working in the stable etc..
Sorry, but for me it sounds totally ridiculous, but perhaps it’s because I haven’t tried this game?
Linne
According to FB I joined for more than a year ago, because I wanted to see if there should be a group for my old school. There is- but none of them I have been going together with have until now joined the group. I have only 15 friends on FB, and only people, who have found me. I’m afraid to be addicted, so I do not look for more “ friends”. But I have to admit that I sometimes enjoy to see, what happens on my “friends” facebook profile.
But what has wondered me is that I get a lot of information about one of my friends, who participate in a game with the name “Farmville” Something about that he has found a calf, are working in the stable etc..
Sorry, but for me it sounds totally ridiculous, but perhaps it’s because I haven’t tried this game?Linne
linne, you can hide all of the farmville information if you want to. Hover your mouse on the right of your friend's post. A button will come up that says "hide." Click it, and you can choose from "hide your friend" or "hide farmville." Click "hide farmville" and you will never get any information about farmville again, from him or any of your other friends! But you will still see all of your friend's other posts.
It's like looking in your soup and finding a whole different alphabet.
Thank you for the advice, Liamsaunt. I will follow your always good recipe.
BTW I only told this about Farmville because I surprisingly found out that other here know the game. I thought that it was a special game my FBfriend has found.
At the same time I can tell that I don’t know the Farmville guy very well. The story is that I have had a couple of friend request, which have wondered me, because it was from people, I didn’t consider as friends. In my ignorance I accepted them because I thought that they had used time to look especially after me on FB, so it was so difficult for me not to accept the request. Later on I found out that there is this Friend Finder function, where you can use all your email addresses to look after friends (I have never tried it, so I don’t know exactly how it works), so that’s why I got the request – because they had my email address .
Linne
BTW I only told this about Farmville because I surprisingly found out that other here know the game. I thought that it was a special game my FBfriend has found.
At the same time I can tell that I don’t know the Farmville guy very well. The story is that I have had a couple of friend request, which have wondered me, because it was from people, I didn’t consider as friends. In my ignorance I accepted them because I thought that they had used time to look especially after me on FB, so it was so difficult for me not to accept the request. Later on I found out that there is this Friend Finder function, where you can use all your email addresses to look after friends (I have never tried it, so I don’t know exactly how it works), so that’s why I got the request – because they had my email address
. Linne
I wish my bosses would have given up "crackberry" for Lent. Our district switched out their blackberry phones to Iphones. Why? So they can play games?
During our staff meetings they bring their phones and are heads down doing whatever they're doing the entire meeting.
It is so disrespectful.
I would love to bring in a rubics cube to our staff meeting some time!
P.S. I scored a 31 on Lex's test.
During our staff meetings they bring their phones and are heads down doing whatever they're doing the entire meeting.
It is so disrespectful.
I would love to bring in a rubics cube to our staff meeting some time!
P.S. I scored a 31 on Lex's test.
djmom - I have been spending a tad too much time on FB since I've been on maternity leave. Turns out newborns don't do all that much. Go figure.
Anyway, I think it's healthy to cut back. I have kind of a self-limiting circle of FB friends because of my job. I am prosecutor and I don't want random criminals being able to find me and send me messages. If you want to avoid the voyeur syndrome, just set your privacy settings so that long lost people who you probably don't want to reconnect with anyway can't find you. That'll save some time for sure.
I can't help with farmville. I just don't get it. I have enough to worry about without having to harvest virtual crops and feed virtual animals. I can barely remember to feed my real animals.
Anyway, I think it's healthy to cut back. I have kind of a self-limiting circle of FB friends because of my job. I am prosecutor and I don't want random criminals being able to find me and send me messages. If you want to avoid the voyeur syndrome, just set your privacy settings so that long lost people who you probably don't want to reconnect with anyway can't find you. That'll save some time for sure.
I can't help with farmville. I just don't get it. I have enough to worry about without having to harvest virtual crops and feed virtual animals. I can barely remember to feed my real animals.
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Marcia (Mrs. Pete)
- Posts: 1576
- Joined: Mon Aug 07, 2006 9:40 pm
- Location: Madison Area, Wisconsin
Facebook, for me, has become a wonderful way to connect with family and friends. I generally keep it open all day, and pop in and out of it when I need to take a break from whatever else I'm doing.
I limit my friends to only people with whom I'd like to spend time with, in person.
I have not ever played any of the games on FB and block "gifts" and game statuses from my news feed.
Things I have gained from joining facebook:
~ My family is spread out all over the US (and France). I have been able to be in contact with all of them which would never have happened without facebook. From joyful news to frightening news, the word gets out there quickly and support is available immediately. I truly believe the family bond is much stronger now than ever before.
~ Invaluable information has been garnered from simple posts. From watching the Inauguration "live" from a friend who was there capturing it with his iphone and posting pictures to setting up a group in order to plan and execute a surprise for St. John Ruth's 50th birthday last year. Never would have happened without facebook.
~ Immediate feedback, on life's events. Both mine and my friend's. Example, my niece was assaulted recently in France. There was a great deal of concern about this and my entire family was able to communicate about it quickly and seamlessly, which brought a great deal of comfort to her.
~ Getting a pulse on my children. We have four teen children, the oldest in college, two more go off next year. They are all on facebook. Sometimes a status update can speak volumes...or, their friends' comments on their status. Yes, we all talk but, there have been several occasions when a "mood" comes through on facebook that we might not have picked up on. Especially with the daughter who is away at college.
For me, facebook is kind of like a combination of email, the O/T forum and blog.
I limit my friends to only people with whom I'd like to spend time with, in person.
I have not ever played any of the games on FB and block "gifts" and game statuses from my news feed.
Things I have gained from joining facebook:
~ My family is spread out all over the US (and France). I have been able to be in contact with all of them which would never have happened without facebook. From joyful news to frightening news, the word gets out there quickly and support is available immediately. I truly believe the family bond is much stronger now than ever before.
~ Invaluable information has been garnered from simple posts. From watching the Inauguration "live" from a friend who was there capturing it with his iphone and posting pictures to setting up a group in order to plan and execute a surprise for St. John Ruth's 50th birthday last year. Never would have happened without facebook.
~ Immediate feedback, on life's events. Both mine and my friend's. Example, my niece was assaulted recently in France. There was a great deal of concern about this and my entire family was able to communicate about it quickly and seamlessly, which brought a great deal of comfort to her.
~ Getting a pulse on my children. We have four teen children, the oldest in college, two more go off next year. They are all on facebook. Sometimes a status update can speak volumes...or, their friends' comments on their status. Yes, we all talk but, there have been several occasions when a "mood" comes through on facebook that we might not have picked up on. Especially with the daughter who is away at college.
For me, facebook is kind of like a combination of email, the O/T forum and blog.
Marcia (Mrs. Pete)
Missing St. John. As always.
Missing St. John. As always.