The Sinister Book of Face.

I watched Social Network on the weekend and it was a surprisingly suspenseful movie, even though it is a boring plot if you think about it. A kid designs a computer program and his friends sue him. The movie also renewed my interest in Facebook. When I log on to the site, I can’t help but think that when I started my profile in 2003 (or something) that the site has come a LONG way and that the original design wasn’t much more than a couple text boxes with information in it. Now, a company valued at 25 BILLION DOLLARS, you have to imagine the team of heavy thinkers trying to redesign and reorganize the site for ease of use and to suit all our needs. I remember when the photo albums only held 60 photos. Or when the first games came out, or fan pages for our interests. Now the site is so complicated, I barely know how to use it. There are applications and event screens (and to be honest, I can barely figure out how to view my events) there are videos and new layouts and everyone has access, not just Universities (which was what I originally liked about it). A long time ago I felt comfortable getting my older family members into the site because I knew it was so self explanatory that they would easily be able to create and maintain a profile. Now, I can barely do that. AND the biggest thing that grinds my gears is that Facebook is now FULL of JUNK advertizing. Teeth whitening and weight loss pills, cheap designer purses and cosmetic surgery. So much for the ‘cool ad-free website’ that they fought so hard for in the movie. Now, if your curser slides off your profile, you risk starting a never ending pop-up disaster, telling you to be better looking. And they say BILLBOARDS and commercials are a bad influence on our youth.

Could Facebook be a passing fad though? I mean, since it came on the market in 2003-2004 I know more and more people that are choosing to close their profiles or make their privacy settings so strict that no one could find their ‘face in the book’ anyway. Even I did a comb through of my contacts and removed everyone I hadn’t physically talked to in at least a year. A person isn’t a friend if you wouldn’t recognize them in a crowd or feel comfortable enough to walk up and say hello. So I went from almost 500 friends, down to a little less than 200. So in honour of my cleaning out the sculls in my facebook (HA!) I have written a small poem to commemorate this grandiose occasion:

I have 500 friends on Facebook,
But no real friends at all,
But I like to see their photos
Splashed across their wall.

They say the only way to mend
Is to pick up the phone and call
But when I checked my cell phone
I had no numbers at all

So write a letter, knock on a door
Make an honest try
So that when you’re all alone at night
You friend list won’t be a lie.

Thank you! Thank you…you are far too kind! Now for a quick game of ketchup…or catch up. Christmas is over, boo hoo. My apartment feels so much less sparkly and vibrant. Oh well, my new 50 inch TV will have to break up the monotony of everyday life. That’s gloating, by the way. Hey! I am allowed because I sacrificed at LEAST 3-4 Christmas gifts for that TV. Not to mention, the IKEA nightmare of having to build a TV stand and not realizing we has screwed it up until we were putting on the VERY last piece and there was a hole missing….and no, it wasn’t fixable…just imagine nails and screws holding the thing together that were stripped and in the wrong places….just a disaster! Anyway, we took it back and it was a terrible sob story. I appealed to the better nature of the IKEA manager and they gave us a new one. Five hours later, it was built and I was happy, but exhausted and tripping out on caffeine.

Thing I am MOST looking forward to:
Going to Punta Cana in the last week of March with Jordana, Steve and Stuart

Thing I am most angry about:
Someone tried to break into my car with a screwdriver and WRECKED my locks. Now I need all new keys and lock mechanisms. I hate Toronto.

Thing I am most grateful for:
My E-Reader! That thing has kept me company on many-a-long afternoon and I can get books without driving ANYWHERE!

Thing I am LEAST grateful for:
New Neighbours. Don’t attempt to befriend the young couple that just moved in next door by telling them they left their keys in the door, or they will come to the door in a robe (after obviously being interrupted) and they won’t tell you their names and they will slam the door in your face.

Anyway, until next time loyal blog readers!