As my journey unfolds...

I was thinking yesterday about last year when I kept an actual daily journal then copied it here. I'm not so sure I will keep a journal like that this time but update when I deem necessary. The first day wasn't as bad as I thought it was going to be without social networking. I think the hardest part for me was not being able to eat meat or chocolate. Sure there were times when I was tempted from my normal routine to log into facebook or check my twitter timeline but I figure if I was able to do it last year this year should be no problem.
I was reminded yesterday about my thoughts on the laziness of communication throughout my journey last year. A few days ago I saw something on Facebook that I believe was posted from pinterest but it said something to the extent of how the children today will never know the embarrassment of being caught while passing a note in class. It is very true. While the members of facebook and other social networking sites get younger and younger (I mean seriously, an 11 year old on Facebook and I've seen some even younger) the communication skills are lost. It's still bad enough that kids are walking about with phones and texting as soon as they can spell and that is even pushing it. Of course there are grown folks that can't spell properly. Anyway my point is, when was the last time you sat down and typed an actual email? This means using full words and proper grammar. When was the last time you sat down and actually used a pen and paper to write a letter? Perhaps this is why yesterday wasn't so bad for me. I have already accepted the fact that today's society is already lazy so why should I even bother?
Last night as I was emailing with a friend it was short emails but the grammar and spelling were there. That was a nice change to see because it seems that even at work (at least at my place of employment) adults have become so accustomed to using short text and horrible grammar. It makes me laugh because some people get offended if I correct their spelling or grammar. I especially love to catch certain people because they don't make those mistakes often. *coughMs.Parkercough* Of course when I make those mistakes they are quick to correct me as well. That is almost reassuring that there are some people today that care about skills we were taught as a child...ALMOST.
So while I could go on and on today about what the voices in my head are telling me I will spare you, the reader, of all the craziness. Let's see how today goes so wish me luck. ;)

C U L8R ALIG8R <---I crack myself up!

It's that time of year again...LENT

It's hard to believe that I haven't blogged in almost a year. Apparently this goes to show that I have either been keeping my thoughts to myself or I truly do rely on social networking. Either way today is Ash Wednesday. At some point today I will make my way to Mass to go get my ashes, most likely this evening.

In the few days leading up to Ash Wednesday I had no idea what I was going to "give up" this year. To be honest I hadn't even thought about it. When it was brought to my attention that the day was coming I began to contemplate what I was going to decide on. I really had a hard time with this believe it or not. I went through the usual and decided that I have already accomplished those ones with no problem. I've given up chocolate, alcohol, sex, and social networking. Chocolate was the big one for a few years because I had to have my chocolate on a daily basis. The year I gave up alcohol was more of a "I have to prove you wrong" things. Of course I drank more often back when I did that one. Last year social networking was a true challenge for me. Of course quitting anything cold turkey is difficult but the first few weeks of Lent last year were very difficult for me. In a last minute decision I have decided to try to give up all of the above. I am always trying to challenge myself and while I'd love to do so at the gym I just don't have the time for it. I don't want comments from the peanut gallery on that because yes I could make time, but I choose my time with my kids over that. Anyway, wish me luck because 2 of my biggest vices are combined this year in my fast. Chocolate and Social Networking. HA! I bet you thought I was going to say Sex and Alcohol. So stick around and follow my journey for the next 40 days and 40 nights.

This is going to be very interesting because I have already been tempted this morning. I received an email that really made me laugh and now I can't wipe the shitty grin from my face. Normally I would go make some remark on Twitter or Facebook about someone making my day but I can't. Now had I received the email last night when it was sent it would be a different story, but it was at work and well, I can't check my work email at home. Thank goodness...in a sense. Now I want chocolate because I can't say anything on social networking but as a replacement therapy I want to eat chocolate because chocolate makes me happy. Got it? Good!

Wish me luck and I send the same to you during your Lenten journey.

Day 45 - April 22, 2011 (1 day to go)

I can't believe that my nephew turned 17 today. My baby he once was. He was the first live child birth I witnessed. Happy Birthday Jeffrey. In two days I will have completed my Lenten journey of fasting from social networking. Why did I wake up to an email for a contest but you could only enter on Facebook? LOL It never ends does it? Tonight I went to a birthday dinner and I should've known that it would be a mess! Supposedly it was a birthday celebration/going away dinner but it didn't feel like anyone was leaving. During dinner the mention of Lent and rest days came about. I thought it was pretty funny because I just chose to continue my fast on Sunday's as well. Anyway tonight's reflection is going to be about words. Some things are just better left unsaid. Without being able to rant on social networking I've become accustomed to using my voice instead of print. with recent emotions up & down like a roller coaster I've come back to my senses that not everything felt should be said. In times where animosity is present its even better to just not say anything either. I just hope that I can remember all this when I do get back on social networking and not get that cyber courage and vent out a month and a half worth of events. I know it will all be well and that the truth will always prevail.

Until we meet again...

*I journal nightly before bed and am not responsible for any spelling or grammatical errors*

No status updates.

Day 44 - April 21, 2011 (2 days to go)

As this journey closes in on the finish line I've had a hard time finding what else I can specifically reflect on. Tonight I figure why not just reflect on reflection itself. this has been something that has thrown me into the depths of every emotion through this journey. I thought the withdrawal felt from no social networking was tough, then tonight I remembered that we are always our worst critic. Sure anyone can judge you and criticize you, but it will never affect as much as you doing the same to yourself. Going without on of the biggest distractions from life has forced me to seek within myself. No matter how many substitution I've tried to use in an effort to compensate. At the end of the day its my mind trying to sort through a million thoughts. A tough daily reminder of how tough life truly is without social networking. Not that social networking makes things any easier but perhaps it just distracts you enough to forget the rough times. For some it may have the opposite effect. I suppose it all depends on how much you allow it to control your life. How deep you allow the addiction to get. No matter what the case may be, what you share through social networking is always a reflection of yourself.

Until we meet again...

*I journal nightly before bed and am not responsible for any spelling or grammatical errors.*

No Status Updates.

Day 43 - April 20, 2011 (3 days to go)

Happy Stonerversary...I mean Happy Birthday Hitler...no, no that's not it. Ummm, Happy 3 days to go until this Lenten journey is over. From lots of self control to tons of frustration (and that was just today), I have gone through it all so far. Speaking of frustration, tonight I'm going to reflect on personal communication. Ok so more like venting. Just like social networking, personal communication can cause much frustration. This, of course, can cover both sides of texting. Is it always better to be able to hear the voice and be able to understand the tone of what's being said? Sure there is cyber-bullying but is it easier to be able to read the words and (mis)interpret it in your own way? And then there's venting... Everyone needs an outlet. I don't care what age, sex, race, whatever you are, everyone has to find a way to get things out and off their chest. I have since come to the conclusion that it's much easier to vent on social networking just to get it out, even if you pretend everyone is reading, than to vent to your friends in real life. I felt today when venting as though I were such a drama queen, when in reality I just needed to release my frustrations. that in turn forced me to hold things in and remind myself that I'm reflecting now and not turn this entry into a bitchfest. Personal communication can bring you up but it can also bring you down just as quickly. Of course I've become more adapted to personal communication I can't wait, metaphorically speaking, to be able to have my friends that live in the computer. I love and adore my real life friends (not so much acquaintances) but I think they're getting sick of me quite frankly. Three more days left to stay strong, that's all I have left to say tonight.

Until we meet again...

*I journal nightly before bed and am not responsible for any spelling or grammatical errors*

No status updates today.

Day 42 - April 19, 2011 (4 days to go)

I'm having a hard time deciding on what to reflect on tonight. So let's go with how consumed social networking makes you. It's easy to turn a blind eye at the earliest or most obvious sign of addiction. Of course the first thing said could be "I'm not addicted" or "you can't get addicted to social networking". You sure can and I can definitely speak from experience on it. When I heard a story of friends who went out to dinner and their friends husband/boyfriend was on his phone all night using Facebook and other apps I was almost disgusted. I know I was bad about it but not to where I couldn't put my phone down during dinner. I see it all too often but have never thought twice about it. How annoying are we as a generation now to constantly have a phone stuck to your face? I suppose that could include texting also. I've also thought about how branding is fully taking advantage of social networking to gain your attention also. Just about every print ad, every commercial I see or hear mentions twitter or facebook, sometimes both. Its as if addiction is inevitable.

Until we meet again...

*I journal nightly before bed and am not responsible for any spelling or grammatical errors*

No status updates today.

Day 41 - April 18, 2011 (5 days to go)

I have logged yesterday as my 40th day without social networking. However, on my calendar at work it was today. It all comes down to perception and how you count it. I am sticking to yesterday since today marks "rest day" #1. As I begin to reflect on my journey without social networking I question myself on how I've been able to stay so strong. the first thing that comes to mind is that I'm a person of my word. If I say I'm going to do something I do it, or at least make an attempt to do it. Maybe I can teach myself to do the same with going to the gym. In the best of times and in the worst of times I have questioned my words, and my strength to keep them. I have been reminded through self reflection how much people peak empty words. there are so many times I've come across people in real life, as well as on social networking, who say things just to say it. It makes me ponder how so many can speak without meaning. Wasn't it Dr. Seuss maybe, I can't recall off hand, that said "Say what you mean and mean what you say"? Perhaps I just value words to much. Call it what you want, I am me, the only person I know how to be.

Until we meet again...

*I journal nightly before bed and am not responsible for any spelling or grammatical errors*