I haven’t written on a regular basis in so long that I had forgotten how one can be lifted by comments, likes, and the conversations that are created after posts are read. To you readers: Thanks for the reminder.
Writing is fun. And by writing, I mean writing about me is fun. Oh, and this is Lenore – again.
After talking with my friend, sharing my thoughts with you, and eating a pint of ice cream (some things never change), I feel better. I feel as though I can muster through this valley, and we will – as in valleys past – make it up the hill. And, as a bonus, I have a new fear of my kids entering their teen years, since some of you were kind enough to say that staying married may seem easier than raising teenagers.
So, now that my marriage is stable again and while my kids are still kids, what should be the next topic? I know! Twitter.
Though this thought is not the topic of the day, I am of the belief that social media is hurting the younger generation. More often than not, I am in the minority with my belief and people let me know they disagree with my viewpoint. However yesterday, when I was talking with a friend about the shooting in Las Vegas, I was surprised to hear she agreed with my stance on social media. Interestingly perhaps, outside of texting, she does not use social media.
She made a comment about how social media is a platform for everyone to put themselves out there saying, “Here I am! Look at me!” I giggled, and I agreed with her, knowing I use social media to do that very thing.
My favorite platform for saying, “Here I am! Look at me!” is Twitter. I really enjoy engaging in 140-characters worth of dialogue with those I follow and those that follow me. And frankly, I fully expect the same three followers of mine to respond in some way. One of my followers typically responds to my tweets by starring it. He’ll ‘star’ tweets regardless of the topic, too.
If I tweet that I stubbed my toe, he’ll ‘star’ it. If I tweet that I won a million dollars, he’ll ‘star’ it. I get nervous when I tweet and he doesn’t ‘star’ it. Come to think of it, I sent out two tweets yesterday, and he didn’t respond. I should probably check in with him and make sure he is OK.
If you were to take a look at the 285 people/groups I follow, you’d see a handful of actors, friends, family, and bloggers, but you’d see a majority of reporters, news organizations, scientists, scientific organizations, politicians, and government organizations. And within the scientific community, you’d see a majority of astronomers and meteorologists. In fact, over half of my retweets involve weather or NASA. (*cough* Or ice cream and Benedict Cumberbatch. *cough*)
Let the record show, Benedict Cumberbatch and science/Space coexist nicely, because he portrays Stephen Hawking in “Hawking”, as well as other Hawking/Space documentaries. And ice cream? Well, a girl’s got to eat, right?
Anyway… I enjoy Twitter. Whether I am using it to say “Here I am! Look at me!” or I am trying to create a new clever hashtag using #Cumber, I have fun using Twitter. Plus, it is a wicked easy way for me to get completely geeky with astronomy and meteorology. I mean AstroRM (Rick Mastracchio) tweeted me once. AstroRM!
Wait. What?
Who is AstroRM? He is a NASA astronaut who, until he returned on May 13th, was orbiting the Earth on the International Space Station (ISS). Once Rick returned, my list of folks I follow increased by 2, because I had to follow his fellow astronauts that remain on the ISS (astro_reid and Astro_Alex).
Okay, I best come to a close. I am starting to get a little giddy over my Twitter interactions, and I haven’t even shared the interactions I’ve had with meteorologists. *sigh* Twitter is wonderful. #Cumbergoodness
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Lenore's Thoughts Exactly 
I am proud to be one of your devoted Twitter followers. Since I had taken a break from blogging, it was a great way to keep in touch with you and my other blog buddies. And you enable my #Cumberaddiction. I am #Cumbergrateful for that. #Cumberforever.
*wipes forehead in relief that one of the three steps up to be recognized* #Cumberclub #Cumbersupport #Cumberforever
I would say you are positively giddy over Twitter! 🙂 Fun post. I am not as giddy over it but it does prove to be amusing at times.
You have to follow the right people to be amused, Beth Ann. (wink) And yeah, I think my “giddy” was showing in this post.
Funny about your starring guy. I’ve got a FB “friend” (actually the parent of a friend who speaks German) who “likes” every single thing I post on FB…including when I wish a friend (someone he wouldn’t know from the spider crawling into his house) happy birthday.
The debate rages on about the merits and dangers of social media. I think of all the hoopla as a little like the ongoing generational battles…”In my day….we walked uphill to school both directions….and life was just so much better.” 😉
Glad to see you’re back, btw.
I’ve enjoyed keeping up with you via Twitter, Linda. I follow good people. 🙂
And yes, I hear my Mom’s voice when I complain about social media. I watched something last night about the myth of Slenderman and how it is getting “credit” for recent stabbings. The person said Slenderman is today what AC/DC, Ozzy Osborne, Freddy Kruger, etc. was to kids years ago. True. That said, social media spread things more quickly and has a larger audience.
Yup. Which can be a good thing or a bad thing…depending on the thing. I’m not very good with Twitter, I gotta say. I lack focus and don’t really have a “purpose” other than to keep abreast of what is going on in our lives.
My stars! What a nice post! 🙂
Twitter is like pretty much anything else. It can be good or bad depending on how you use it and how much. I personally strive for moderation (ha!) and enjoy it mostly as an art form. I’m an entertainer. 🙂 But I also have met and care about genuine people. Like you.
A star isn’t meant to say: I “like” that you stubbed your toe. It’s more like an expression of support! I believe it also has some impact on your “influence” and increases your standing in the online world. I view it as doing a nice thing.
I once read an article in Shambhala Sun magazine about the false quest for followers. On an intellectual level I agree that a focus on quantity means nothing. It’s like keeping up with the Joneses. On the other hand, I still take too much pride in trying to get more and be “popular.” What can I say? I am flawed!
You are an entertainer, and you make me smile on a daily basis. (Though I know you try to be tough and grumbly.)
And I know when you ‘star’ a tweet about the fact that I stubbed my toe, you are not happy I got hurt, you are merely showing your support. You’re reminding me I have 9 other toes and the pain will pass. The bonus is that you are trying to increase my standing in the world. I mean, you really make it all about me, TBT. You are so giving. 🙂
Hugs to you, my “Star” friend.
I’ve tried to embrace Twitter, honest I have. I still can’t get the hang of hashtags, which appear to be showing up #everywhere. It’s like an inside joke that I just can’t grasp, despite having a decent sense of humor. I’m glad you’re enjoying it. #confused #feelingelderly #outoftouch
Just use #Cumberhash and you’re golden. #believe #beasheep #youcandoit
You probably find this hard to believe but I was very anti-twitter for a long time, but it’s become my go-to “stream” over the past couple of years.
Wasn’t is St Benedict (!) that said “All things in moderation.”? I think he was foreseeing social media when he wrote that. Such a good thing when used appropriately and wisely, such an abyss (sorry, Tom) when abused.