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Facebook has been on my mind lately.  I wonder what it is that leads us to “friend” everyone we have ever known and sometimes those we do not know.  I have a “friends” list that includes 317 people.  I know nearly every individual in the list, sure, but I can count on one, maybe two, hands the number of people on the list with whom I stay in touch.

It boggles my mind what it is that draws us to read status updates and continue to add family, friends, or acquaintances when we do not have intentions, time, or energy to keep in touch via e-mail, mail, messaging, or phone, or in person (imagine that, interacting in person!).  We may now and again, at best, reply to someone’s status update on our “friends list” or write something on their “wall,” sure, but actually interact and keep on touch on a more than superficial level?

I understand that Facebook is a social networking site and networking means to stretch one’s circle; however, how many of us actually use it to network? Most use it, at least initially, to stay in touch with family and friends (from my experience).  In the end though most of us get lost in the never ending cycle of adding more and more acquaintances, friends, and family members, until we have more people on our “friends list” than we can ever hope to keep in touch with.  I am simply confounded by this Facebook phenomenon.

Day 160 – Make a wish!, originally uploaded by intanchly.

This weekend was the birthday of my one and only. For his birthday I made him from-scratch peanut butter cheesecake. The only cheesecake I’d ever made was a Jell-o brand cheesecake, so I was excited and nervous about this first-time endeavor. The birthday boy ate every morsel of his piece of cheesecake, so I guess I did pretty well. So far I can apparently do no wrong with my baking. :)

Being that both of us have injuries at present, the weekend was mostly spent inside and watching movies. We always watch movies I would never have picked on my own and most I have never heard of. I love it. This weekend, we watched a Bruce Campbell B-movie, a horror movie, and an odd, futuristic movie. It seems there’s little else to do when you’re both falling apart. Good thing we both love movies!

We did escape to the outdoors for a few hours Saturday evening. We spent time in nature, catching up with friends around bonfires and enjoying time with each other outside. Eventually my ankle began hurting quite a lot and we were exhausted, so we headed home. I am glad my one and only was able to get an outdoor escape this weekend.

So this coming weekend is my birthday. Plans are currently up in the air. All I know is that my guy and I will spend it together. I do have my birthday off from work. I took a vacation day. I hate working on my birthday and have done so for years now. I shall enjoy a three-day weekend, for sure… and we shall see what the weekend brings!

pretty pink tuesday, originally uploaded by patti | dearmissdoll.

“So is that what happens the closer we get to our birthdays? We fall apart?”

I asked my beloved this last night.   You see, my beloved’s birthday is coming up shortly and soon after it’ll be my own birthday. This week he developed a pinched nerve that makes it painful to sleep or walk. Yesterday it suddenly felt as if I’d sprained or twisted my ankle, but I’d done nothing to bring such pain on. Today his and my pain is worse.

Does this mean we’re getting old?

Citygarden – “Kindly Gepetto” by Tom Otterness, originally uploaded by Nikon66.

You should definitely check out this photographer’s work. His photos of the Citygarden in downtown St. Louis are just incredible. His shots are absolutely inspiring!

Packed, originally uploaded by Brian Auer.

1. No more melted ice cream.
2. Quick trips will truly be quick.
3. Hours will not be wasted waiting for buses and trains.
4. Waiting in the cold, rain, snow, and sleet will be a piece of the past.
5. My arms will not be stretched and sore from hauling groceries home.
6. Dressing cute for an evening out in the winter will be a possibility.
7. I will be designated driver extraordinaire!

Sick., originally uploaded by gina.banina.

I am sick: my brain is foggy, my nose runs, and the back of my throat is thick with phlegm. I should have known I would catch cold. I am done with outdoors parties for the fall and winter, dang it. I will remain inside, where there is a furnace blazing and blankets to snuggle up in, thank you very much.

Because I am sick it is even more difficult than usual to find motivation to do anything at all on my growing to-do list. Instead I am contemplating very quickly doing the dishes and then climbing into bed and falling asleep to a Netflix “watch instantly” movie. I suppose it is a good way to spend an evening in sick. Then it’s decided! Dishes then bed with laptop to watch a Netflix movie.

IMG_9431-1, originally uploaded by gina.banina.

• Baking – I have developed an affinity for baking it seems. 2 weekends ago it was chocolate chip banana bread, this weekend it was peanut butter cookies, and next will be blueberry nut bread. I already have plans to make homemade chocolate chip pancakes and homemade soups.
• Communication – I have had little energy to communicate for the past several weeks. It’s been a month since I have had time to reply to an e-mail and about as long since I have called any friends or family, and it’s been awhile since I have texted anyone either.
• Inspiration – As autumn says an awkward goodbye, too quickly, and winter slyly tiptoes in, my crafty side reappears. I am drawn to making new magnets and scrapbooking more of my childhood as well as my father’s life. I want nothing but to spend my evenings creating. I also want to do nothing but hide from the cold, under my electric blanket. This could complicate things.
• Politics – I am finding it difficult to stay informed, with so little energy in the evenings, but still I remain aware of the healthcare reform being discussed and dissected in Congress and aware of the worsening of our economy. I find passion persists within on these issues that impact the us all so deeply.

Autumn surreptitiously slipped in this year. This has been an autumn like none I can recall. The dynamic reds, oranges, and yellows are scarce, though some familiar features of autumn still remain.

The crisp, chilled breeze invites thoughts of hot apple cider & bonfires, cozy evenings in with a special someone, and big pots of soup or warm from the oven cookies.

We pull our bulky coats and warm mittens, scarves, and caps out of storage, and cover our beds with big, heavy quilts, flannel sheets, and electric blankets.

We know that ultimately all we can do is enjoy the beauty and quiet of autumn and prepare for the coming winter.

(Mushroom 1, by Moi)

IMG_9213-1, originally uploaded by gina.banina.

My perspective is infinitely more positive these days. This is because I am happier than I can remember ever having been. R. has been a significant part of this happiness. I will repress my impulse to gush (you’re welcome), but am delighted that I’ve found this bliss. My metamorphosis of mindset is also thanks to a creative and inspiring person who I was fortunate enough to be introduced to (by R., no less!). She acquainted me with the concept of a daily journal in which you note every positive occurrence. I am grateful to her for sharing her own journal of joy with me, which inspired me to begin my own.

The media seems to be consumed with making up “new rules” for our techno-centric culture.  I have my own list of rules for the techno-centric culture in which we live.

Texting

1. If your partner sends a text to you, reply at some point
2. Mass texts? Prayer chains? Forwarded texts? Don’t.  No one likes to receive them.
3. With your partner? No one texts an SOS message – trust me, your friends’ texts can wait.

Cellphone Use (That unrelated to texting)

1. Do not play music, without headphones, on your cell in public.  It’s obnoxious.
2. Talking on your cell at the office? Occasionally = permissible. Constantly = unacceptable.
3. In a waiting room? Be kind and silence your phone, and keep use to a minimum.

Googling

1. Thou shalt not Google your date or mate.  It’s creepy.  Don’t be a stalker,
2. Googling your own name? That’s smart.  You should be aware just what is out there.
3. The world may not in fact revolve around Google – branch out. Other resources exist too.

Social Networking

1. If you add someone from your job, remember this before you rant about an office drama.
2. Don’t be “that” person who adds people just to have the largest number of “friends.”.
3. People read the things you forward, tweet, or publish.  Consider your audience.

To be continued…