Facebook and grow the eff up.

Social networking, right? SOCIAL, not ANTIsocial....

So why, why on earth, would you have a facebook account but set it to the absolute highest privacy settings? Especially considering most people on your facebook friends list *should* be people you are friends with, grew up with, knew once upon a time, rode a bus with, met briefly at a party, whatever. You *choose* to add these people so why would you want to privatize your entire facebook existence?

The reason I ask is because my sister-in-law, of all people, has done this. (OK I hear the groans from a few of you who are shaking your heads wondering why I would even attempt to understand her motives). She sent me this message:

Don't be alarmed if you don't see much on my facebook page anymore. It's like that for EVERYONE. I set it at it's highest privacy (including those who try to search for me or add me) because I wanted to spend less time on it without having to deactivate my account.

Sorry to hear about your mom. I hope she feels better soon. Congratulations on the weight loss too. Give me a call sometime.

So, all her photos, wall posts, even info page are privatized. From EVERYONE. Including her own family. So, I ask why have facebook?

I cannot even view photos she has of MY children and myself on there.

If you want to spend less time on facebook, just don't open the damn browser. Am I right?

I'm not really surprised, though. Last October she had a hissy and blocked me completely. Me, my husband (her brother) and my daughter. From both her and her husband's account. Why? Because I met a girl at an epicure party that SHE invited me to (at a girl's house whom I had not even met) and left after 10 minutes. So I spent 3 hours sitting with ladies I had never met. I *friended* one and all of a sudden it was World War Whatever-we're-on now.

For the last year (up until that point) I really thought we were close. More than just in-laws. Boy did that episode learn me pretty quick. No communication over Christmas. wouldn't return my calls for weeks (even though I was going through some stuff and needed a friend to talk to). 

Can you tell she thrives on drama? Me, personally, I like to think I live a 99% drama-free life. (The 1% is that "bowtique" lady mentioned in a previous post who likes to email me every now and then to bitch me out for something- that's a whole other post)

Like I was saying, pretty drama-free. Certainly not stress-free by any means, but as far as high school drama that should have stayed back in the teen years, pretty good on none of that. Don't get me wrong, I do vent when I feel the need to. Usually to Rob. But he's gone until Friday so my blog is my outlet!!

So, back to my original topic. Facebook. What other reason would you maintain a facebook account if not to be social?

Through Facebook we have reconnected with two of Rob's former foster families, kept in contact with relatives who are scattered across Canada, touched base with friends from long ago and I've even started my home-based/online business with Facebook.

Why do so many people need to make it all about the drama?