Droppin' Like Flies!

The other day I posted about how tickled I get when Facebook suggests people I may know, not realizing that I was once "friends" with those folks. If it weren't for the suggestion I wouldn't know that I'd even been "unfriended."

In the past 2 days, 2 more "friends" have decided to bail.

It matters to me, but it doesn't, but it does.

I'm always so curious to know why.

Was it something I said? Something I did?? Or did those folks just decide that "what's on my mind" is completely uninteresting to them???

Or...maybe, just maybe...those folks simply deactivated their account which means that it had nothing to do with me at all. That happens, right?

Who knows?

As I said in my previous post, I don't do "drama," so maybe my page isn't exciting enough for them. I mean, as sad as it is...some folks thrive on drama. They need it in order to function.

No...on my page you get a WHOLE LOTTA Jesus, nature, music, and transparency.

I have a feeling that the nature and music aren't what runs folks off. But Jesus and transparency...yeah...those two will send folks runnin' for the hills in a heartbeat. Ain't that a shame?!?

Nevertheless...I will continue to be me, and post as I always have. For those who choose to stick around...I'm glad you're here. And for any who choose to "cut me loose" in the future...I wish you well. May you find whatever it is that you seek.

Now Let the DIALOGUE begin: What do you post about most on Facebook? Anything in particular, or are you as random as I?

Talk to me!

Til next time...

I Thought I ALREADY Knew You

Good ol' Facebook. Such an interesting place it can be at times.

I get so tickled when folks I used to be "friends" with on FB come up in the "People You May Know" list. If it weren't for that I wouldn't even know that I'd been "unfriended."

Or when I change my profile picture and scroll down to see the folks who've "liked" it, only to find at the very bottom of the list (like in the picture here) are again...folks I used to be "friends" with who have clearly decided somewhere along the way that I just wasn't their "cup of tea." To that, I say what I always say...some folks prefer coffee.

Anywhoo...I just find it interesting. If I were a petty person, I'd reach out to those folks and say, "Hmmm...what's up with unfriending me? Really...I'm curious."

Of course, that's waaay too confrontational. I mean...if folks were open to explaining their reasons for unfriending someone then they'd do it before they push the button. Instead, they choose to take the road-less-confrontational, and silently exit. No biggie. Unfriend ME and you're gonna miss out on a whole lotta POSITIVITY, 'cause that's pretty much what I'm all about.

I get it though. Some folks prefer drama...which I just don't do.

With that said, Let the DIALOGUE begin: Have you ever confronted someone who unfriended you on Facebook? If so, how'd that work for ya?

Talk to me!

Til next time...

Where you at?

With the advances in technology and the worldwide usage of Facebook, it's become much easier to share where we are, who we're with, what we're doing, with just a touch of a button.
I'm pretty sure that 99.99% of Facebook users have "checked in" to a place at least ONCE. At least!

I "check in" often, however those who know me well know that I am very specific as to when I "check in." If you're a friend of mine and you are reading this, you've probably already said to yourself, "Yes, I know. You 'check in' when you are LEAVING a place...NOT when you ARRIVE."

Yep. That's how I do it.

I dunno. It's not that I'm so popular that folks are just gonna roll up on me. I just don't like disclosing my location...until I've LEFT the location, or am on my way out. That's just me.

I get a little giggle when I'm out with friends who like to "check in" when we arrive and they'll stop before posting and say, "Hey, are you okay if I check us in now?" That's how well they know me.

I typically say yes. I mean really, who am I...the Facebook Police? It's YOUR page, and YOUR post. I have NO right to tell someone that they can or can not post something. If it truly bothered me, I would ask that I not be tagged. But, it doesn't, and even if I am "tagged," it doesn't show up on MY page until I "allow" it on my timeline, so...it all works out.

In my case, most of my "check ins" have been at churches; my own, along with the ones I've visited. I don't really need folks to know every time I dine out, or go to Costco, or things like that. But I love sharing where I've worshiped. So after service is over (before I leave), I "check in" and post the title of that day's message along with the Scripture(s) that message came from. I do this because I understand that many folks don't go to church. Can't tell you how many times I've read or heard my friends say, "I don't do 'organized religion'." That's okay. I don't either. I do "relationship with Christ." BIG difference. However, in my '"relationship," I have been compelled to share God's message with others in the hopes that someone (even if it's only ONE person) will be inspired to look into God's Word (in whatever setting is comfortable for them), and in the process, also develop a "relationship with Christ." That's my small way of sharing The Gospel.

For the most part, I think "check ins" are great. I've found some great restaurants to try as a result of my friend's "check ins." And the churches that I have visited have also come by way of my friend's "check ins." So for me, they've proven to be beneficial.

In some cases though, I've found "check ins" to be potentially detrimental. This is when it comes to children. My skin crawls just a wee bit whenever I see a friend checking in at their child's school. When my kids were younger, I never did that until it was their LAST day of school...at that school.

I mean, I get it. The only folks seeing the post are "friends" so there should be no harm with any of them knowing where a child attends school. But in the grand scheme of things...this is THE INTERNET, so you just never know where info will end up. When it comes to children, I don't think it's wise to take such a risky chance. Heck, even when my daughters were in college, I was reluctant to post when I was at their schools. College! So yeah. If I had my druthers, I would caution parents to STOP posting where their children (at least in grades pre-k thru 12) go to school. But that's just me, and everyone is entitled to raise their children however they see fit as long as it isn't causing any harm.

Well...that's my rant for the day.

Now it's your turn. Let the DIALOGUE begin: Do you "check in" on Facebook? If so, have you ever given any thought to when you do so?

Talk to me, and tell me...where you at?!?

Til next time...

Was It Something I Said?

So I woke up this morning, read my Bible then checked Facebook.

Lo and behold, I saw that my "friend" count had dropped again. *GASP!*

I mean, it's no biggie...but it kinda is...a lil bit.

As I have said numerous times before..."I am NOT everyone's cup of tea. Some prefer coffee."

I know that sometimes the count will drop if a person deactivates their account. Somehow, I don't think that's the case in this instance (nor in the past 5 or 10 instances).

I'm sure that if FB ever came up with a way for us to KNOW who's "unfriended" us, that would only result in a WHOLE LOTTA negative confrontation. But every now and then, I get curious.

I think it would be interesting to know what it was about me (if anything) that made a person decide to "click the button." And that again is assuming that the issue was in fact me.

For the most part, my page is pretty positive.

Lately I've posted a "more than normal" share of butterfly pics as a result of my recent visit to the Natural History Museum in Santa Barbara last week.

I also post notes of encouragement, often to myself as I greatly need them at this particular point in my life.

There's an occasional song, random thought, check-in, and the latest book(s) that I've just read.

For the most part, that's about it.

Oh...and I post "Jesus stuff" because, well...that's just what I do.

So who knows. Maybe one (or all) of the above was enough for someone to say, "Her page is a major 'yawn-fest' so there's no need for me to keep her as a friend." And that is A-ok!

Another factor to consider is that little "ticker" that shows folks what other folks are commenting on and liking. Honestly, I find the "ticker" to be distracting and so I have never had it on. As a result, I have NO IDEA what folks are commenting on or liking unless they are doing so on a mutual friend's page that I happen to be able to see. Otherwise, nope.

But I know that a lot of other folks keep their "ticker" on because the like having visibility into EVERYTHING. So who knows...even though I may not have posted anything "controversial" on my own page, I have some "friends" who have recently and I have liked or loved what they've had to say. Perhaps someone seeing that in their "ticker" disagrees with what I am agreeing with and for that, they've said, "Adios!" I know...I'm overthinking, but again....that's what I do.

Now don't get me wrong. I'm no "Facebook Angel." Yes, I have "unfriended" some folks in my day and very recently did so with about 5. For me it came down to this...if we have been "friends" for "x" number of years, yet you have NEVER liked or commented on ANYTHING I've ever posted...then what's the point? I dunno. Maybe I "Facebook" differently than other folks, but I believe in engaging with others and not just being a "looky-loo" or just having "friends" for the sake of having "friends." So yeah.

Interestingly enough, if FB did come up with a feature where you could tell when you've been "unfriended," I would gladly tell folks why as I just explained above.

Rarely do I "unfriend" someone who's views differ from mine. Quite honestly, I don't think I've ever "unfriended" anyone for that reason. I mean really, who expects EVERYONE to think the same way that they do. That in my opinion would be terribly BORING.

Now I have BLOCKED a couple of folks. One, I won't talk about, and the other was because she was simply TOXIC...at least toward me. To this day she is still friends with many of my friends and either she's not TOXIC with them, or they've just come to accept that that is how she is. I couldn't take it. EVERYTHING she commented on made my stomach knot up. So yeah...she had to GO!

I'm sure that most folks don't give a rat's arse about who "unfriends" them and why. As for me...I'm just curious like that.

One thing that I have found quite interesting in knowing who has "unfriended" me is when I see who has "liked" some of my past profile pics and at the bottom of the list, there they are with the words "add friend" next to their names. AHA! Those are folks once were my "friends" and somewhere down the line decided to bail. They may think that they made a clean getaway, but FB tells all *insert sinister laugh here*.

Alright...enough about that.

Let the DIALOGUE begin: For my fellow Facebook users out there...have you ever been "unfriended" by someone and confronted them about it? If so, how did that go?

Talk to me!

Til next time...

Who Has TIME to Play GAMES?!?

Facebook games. I don't play them!!!

Just when I think I've got them ALL blocked...in comes a new request. I mean seriously people...where are y'all finding the TIME to play these things?!?

I don't have that kind of time.

To date, these are the games that I have been requested to play. As SOON as a request comes in...I IMMEDIATELY block the game. 

Somethin' tells me...the list isn't done. 

• ChefVille 
• Birthday Calendar by Davia 
• Birthday Calendar 
• schoolFeed
• Birthdays 
• I want to add your birthday 
• Solitaire Blitz 
• FarmVille 
• FarmVille 2 
• Diamond Dash
• Top Friends50 
• BranchOut 
• Photo Passion 
• Words With Friends 
• Sweepstakes 
• Family Feud 
• Slotomania Slot Machines 
• Goodreads
• Family Tree 
• Bubble Island 
• Solitaire Arena 
• Candy Crush Saga 
• Birthdays 
• Mahjong Trails 
• Ancestry 
• Ruby Blast Adventures 
• Lost Bubble 
• Criminal Case 
• Words of Wonder 
• Texas HoldEm Poker 
• Tribesports 
• DoubleDown Casino - Free Slots 
• Pengle 
• Bejeweled Blitz 
• Pet Rescue Saga 
• Birthdays 
• BINGO Blitz 
• Causes 
• myVEGAS Slots - Free Casino 
• Jelly Splash 
• Lucky Slots 
• Juice Cubes 
• My Christmas Tree 2013 
• Jackpot Party Casino Slots 
• CoasterVille 
• Farm Heroes Saga 
• Pepper Panic Saga 
• Monster Busters 
• Daily Horoscope 
• Zuma Blitz 
• Alisa Bingo 
• Birthday Cards 
• House of Fun - Slots 
• Bubble Witch 2 Saga 
• Diamond Digger Saga 
• Ghost Tales 
• Candy Crush Soda Saga 
• Dragon City 
• CallApp Contacts 
• 8 Ball Pool 
• Cookie Jam 
• Toy Blast 
• Mystery Match 
• Slots - Wizard of Oz 
• Solitaire Tripeaks 

Le's cut to the chase ('cause there's simply no time for anything else), and Let the DIALOGUE begin: Do YOU play Facebook games? If so...which one(s), and WHY? No...seriously...I'd like to know why. 

Talk to me!

Til next time...

Next Milestone...18 'Likes' Away

Earlier today I posted the following on Facebook:

"Yay! My blog page The Dialogue Den just got another 'like'...and from someone I don't even know. Word must be getting out about how FABULOUSLY interesting it is. Sure would love it if the folks who actually DO know me (that's all of YOU) would 'like' the page too. Please and Thank You!"

That meant so much to me to see that someone, somewhere, who I don't even know has found my page somewhere along the way and said, "I like what she has to say, and I like it so much that I don't want to miss out on anything." Click {that was the sound of the 'like' button being pressed.}

At that moment I realized what I was going to post about today. I knew that this post was going to be about that stranger who had enough faith in me (someone she doesn't even know), to show support by 'liking' my page. That spoke volumes.

That one new supporter, follower, 'liker', was going to be what I was THANKFUL for today.

But...

It didn't stop there.

As the day progressed, the 'likes' increased. Wow! I got a bit weepy because I felt that folks are FINALLY starting to "get me" and understand that this my "thing." This is what I LOVE. This is ME. And they have decided to support ME in being ME. Again...gettin' a little weepy.

At this very moment, the tally for new 'likes' today is four. I'm just 18 'likes' away from 200. Oh how I would LOVE to get there by my birthday in 28 more days. Perhaps I should start a campaign: "18 'likes' in 28 days"...or somethin' like that. We'll see.

Anyhoo...as you may have guessed by now...on THIS day, "30 Days of THANKFULNESS: Day 3 - I am ever so THANKFUL for ALL 182 of the folks who have 'liked' The Dialogue Den's page on Facebook. Your support toward my writing efforts means more to me than you can imagine. To each and EVERY one of you, I sincerely say THANK YOU. I hope that I keep you interested and wanting to come back for more each day. For those who are new to "The Den," this blog is pretty much the "written version" of ME. It's as random as I am, so you will rarely (probably never) see me post about the SAME topic two days in a row. The "theme" may be the same, as it is currently with "30 Days of THANKFULNESS," but I very rarely write about the same subject twice. My MIND is always shifting gears, so as a result, the posts here will too.

Some folks are political bloggers. That's their thing and it's what they do well.
Some are faith-based bloggers.
Some write solely about issues pertaining to women.
Others write solely about issues pertaining to men.
And the list goes on.

Those folks write about what they do because it's what they know well.

I know a little about a lot of things, and a lot about a few things. There's no rhyme or reason here, and that works BEST for ME. I'm a "go with the flow" kinda gal, and The Dialogue Den flows in whatever direction I steer it on any given day.

So if you stop by one day and that particular day's post doesn't jump out at you...try back the next day, or the next day. Eventually, I'll land on your street.

For now...Let the DIALOGUE begin: Do you have a page on Facebook? If so, tell us what it is so that we can 'like' it.

Talk to me!

Til next time...

You Heard It Here...FIRST.

Facebook.

Such an interesting place it can be at times.

What I am beginning to find more interesting is how it has become a primary source of news for many -- myself included.

For example, the other day we had an early morning earthquake. It jolted me awake, I posted about it on Facebook, scrolled to see if anyone else had posted about it...no one had...I rolled over and went back to sleep. Woke up a couple hours later and my newsfeed was flooded with "earthquake posts." And yes, the local media had posted about it as well. I imagine at that point it was then "real" news. Nope...not necessarily.

It almost seems these days that "we, the local reporter" are the first "reliable" source of news, and then the media outlets catch up. My experience at the very beginning of this paragraph is proof. I felt the earthquake first...posted about it...and thereafter, the news outlets followed suit. Interesting, ain't it.

That was a fairly harmless case of "Facebook News Reporting."

Other times the posts can be a bit startling.

Case in point -- the mother who was on the news yesterday after the tragedy on Orlando. She found out that her son may have been in danger by seeing a Facebook post that her son's friend had posted. She didn't know his exact whereabouts or his condition. At that time all she had to go on was a Facebook post. Can you imagine?!? What a terrible way to find out that your child may have been harmed!

Gone are the days when the authorities knock on your door and break the news to you gently.

Nope. These days it's IN YOUR FACE...in the palm of your hand. No "softening the blow." Just there...BAM!

I felt awful for that Mom. No one should have to find out about their child (or anyone's) unfortunate circumstance via social media.

Unfortunately, I read in the news today that her son was in fact one of the ones killed yesterday. My heart cries for her, as well as all the others, but there was something so incredibly poignant about her plea for her son's whereabouts and his condition. She really touched me.

Other times that I find startling are when folks "tag" someone in a post. Sometimes it's in the form of a "RIP" post, which then shows up on the deceased's page. Wow! What a terrible way to find out that someone has passed. I have found out that way a number of times. Tagging someone that way doesn't even give the deceased's family a chance to make any calls. The "news" has already been broken.

Or in other situations. I recently saw someone post a request for prayer. Didn't specify the reason and quite honestly, they didn't need to. The only one who needs to know the reason for a prayer request is God...and He already knows. All we need to do is intercede and pray, as asked.

A little while later, on the same person's page was a post from another friend pretty much spelling out what's going on with the one who requested prayer. Even though the prayer "requester" didn't give the reason, because the other person "tagged" the "requester" in their post, it then ends up showing up on the "requesters" page. When I see that I always wonder, "Are they okay with you posting this? Were they ready for everyone to know the whole situation? If they were, wouldn't they have included the info in their prayer request?" I dunno. Maybe I'm overthinking. I just think that folks don't really think things through before they go to "tagging" other folks on posts.

Such is life in the wonderful land of Facebook. It's still my favorite and most used form of social media, although I don't foresee too many things changing in the near future. Folks will still continue to look there for what's going on in the world. Heck, like I said earlier, I'm guilty of it myself. I have CNN and NBC4LA as two of the very first posts that I see each day. By default, I have my newsfeed set up that way. I just find it interesting when I (or my friends) report local news sooner than "the broadcast news" does.

Let the DIALOGUE begin: Where do YOU get YOUR news from? The paper, television, social media, somewhere else?

Talk to me!

Til next time...

Please!!!

Got another Facebook game request today. Ugh!!!

As I have done with EVERY other game request that I've received...I immediately went to my setting and BLOCKED the game so that no one else can EVER invite me to play it.

To date, here are all of the games that I have blocked:

ChefVille Unblock
Birthday Calendar by Davia Unblock
Birthday Calendar Unblock
schoolFeed Unblock
Birthdays Unblock
I want to add your birthday Unblock
Solitaire Blitz Unblock
FarmVille Unblock
FarmVille 2 Unblock
Diamond Dash Unblock
Top Friends50 Unblock
BranchOut Unblock
Photo Passion Unblock
Words With Friends Unblock
Sweepstakes Unblock
Family Feud Unblock
Slotomania Slot Machines Unblock
Goodreads Unblock
Family Tree Unblock
Bubble Island Unblock
Solitaire Arena Unblock
Candy Crush Saga Unblock
Birthdays Unblock
Mahjong Trails Unblock
Ancestry Unblock
Ruby Blast Adventures Unblock
Lost Bubble Unblock
Criminal Case Unblock
Words of Wonder Unblock
Texas HoldEm Poker Unblock
Tribesports Unblock
DoubleDown Casino - Free Slots Unblock
Pengle Unblock
Bejeweled Blitz Unblock
Pet Rescue Saga Unblock
Birthdays Unblock
BINGO Blitz Unblock
Causes Unblock
myVEGAS Slots - Free Casino Unblock
Jelly Splash Unblock
Lucky Slots Unblock
Juice Cubes Unblock
My Christmas Tree 2013 Unblock
Jackpot Party Casino Slots Unblock
CoasterVille Unblock
Farm Heroes Saga Unblock
Pepper Panic Saga Unblock
Monster Busters Unblock
Daily Horoscope Unblock
Zuma Blitz Unblock
Alisa Bingo Unblock
Birthday Cards Unblock
House of Fun - Slots Unblock
Bubble Witch 2 Saga Unblock
Diamond Digger Saga Unblock
Ghost Tales Unblock
Candy Crush Soda Saga Unblock
Dragon City Unblock
CallApp Contacts Unblock

8 Ball Pool Unblock
Cookie Jam Unblock
Toy Blast Unblock
Mystery Match Unblock
Slots - Wizard of Oz Unblock

As more requests come in, the list will get longer. Honestly, I wonder how folks who play these games even find the time. And what do they get in return for playing? Maybe if there was some monetary compensation then I would consider playing...and that's a BIG maybe. Otherwise...no thanks.

Let the DIALOGUE begin: Do YOU play Facebook games? If so, which one(s) and why? I'm curious.

Talk to me!

Til next time...

Bold and Encouraging

Out of all the various social media platforms, Facebook is my favorite and the one that I am on DAILY.

I've often heard folks say that Facebook is filled with a lot of garbage and negativity which has driven them away. I've always said that Facebook is as good as the people in your news feed...also known as your FRIENDS.

If your news feed is filled with garbage and negativity, it may be time to delete some friends. I'm jus' sayin'.

Thankfully, MY news feed is often filled with humor, encouragement, and positivity.

One thing that I particularly enjoy are the strong Men of Faith who I have as friends. There aren't many, but for the few that there are, I am thankful.

These men, who I have named the "Magnificent Seven" (y'all know how I am about sevens), boldly proclaim their faith in Christ and strive to encourage others. Although I would LOVE to mention them by name, I'm not sure how they'd feel about that, so I will simply list them by initials. Hopefully, if they EVER read my blog, they will recognize themselves in this post.

Anywhoo...here they are:

JS
EB
KH
TD
MP
EB
VC

Yes, two of them have the same initials, so no...that wasn't a mistake.

As thankful as I am to have to receive encouragement from my sisters in Christ, it's an extra blessing to know that I have these strong men as well who I can look to for spiritual encouragement. I wish I could link them all together because they would be one POWERFUL force if they all knew each other.

JS knows TD, VC and KH.

TD knows JS and VC, however KH does not know TD nor VC.

The two EBs know each other. And MP doesn't know any of the others.

Sounds like a math word problem, doesn't it?

Like I said, in my perfect world they'd ALL know each other because "iron sharpens iron."

That's it for now.

Let the DIALOGUE begin: For the Christian women who are reading this -- how important is it for YOU to have strong men of faith as part of your spiritual circles. Do you need them at all, or are your sisters in Christ enough?

Talk to me!

Til next time...

Friendship Never Grows Old

A couple days ago I received a new friend request on Facebook.

I clicked to to see who it was from and almost fell out of my seat.

For YEARS, I've been wondering where two of my former classmates were. I hadn't been able to find them on Facebook and anytime I asked about them, no one had any info.

Well...I now longer have to inquire about my friend Gretchen because SHE has now found ME and thanks to FB, we have now reconnected.

I met Gretchen in the 4th grade after my family moved to a new city and I enrolled in a new school. We proceeded to attend junior high (that's what we called it back then), and high school together. Kept in touch for a short while after graduating high school, and then...nothing.

She was such a good friend back then, and she is a good friend today.

Folks often complain about Facebook and the negativity that is often displayed there, but for me...it's all GOOD.

My Facebook friends are the BEST, and they've now gotten BETTER.

Now if I could only reconnect with Dwight Sims, the other half of the duo I'd been inquiring about. He went to junior high with me, had beautiful dark chocolate skin, and an afro to beat all afros...perfectly shaped with not a hair out of place.

So if any of you know his whereabouts, holla at cha girl!

Let the DIALOGUE begin: Have you recently reconnected with anyone you'd been searching for?

Talk to me!

Til next time...

Friends?

EPIPHANY: a sudden, intuitive perception of or insight into the reality or essential meaning of something, usually initiated by some simple, homely, or commonplace occurrence or experience.

Life gives us many "light bulb moments." It gave me one just recently and it made things so much more clear for me.

With the advent of Facebook, many relationships have developed. Quite possibly, just as many have ended. Folks spark friendships with people they've never even met in person. Yes, even I have done it. I must say though, some of my very dearest friends today are those I met on Facebook FIRST, then later down the line we met and "hit it off" just as naturally.

Then there are other folks (really only ONE comes to mind) who I met on Facebook, but never met in person, and absolutely COULD NOT STAND! The "friendship" with this person was so strained. Anytime I'd see her comment on a post my stomach would knot up because I knew it would be NEGATIVE...especially if it was a post that I created. She was DESPICABLE! Called me a "manipulative piece of work" once when I deleted her negative comments from my page. She recently commented negatively on something else I posted and my spirit said, "That's it! She's gotta GO!!" I had to block her. Yep, I think she may be the first person (and hopefully the last) that I've ever had to block. Sure, I could've just "unfriended" her, but I'd still be able to see her posts in some of the groups that she and I were in together...and she'd still be able to "tag" me in stuff (unless I change my settings). For me, it was just easier, and best for us both, to simply block her. Now, she will NEVER have to see my name ANYWHERE...nor will I have to see hers. So you see...some Facebook friendships are never meant to develop into anything, and if they fizzle out, there's really no love lost 'cause you didn't really know the person anyway.

Next, we have the friendships that started out IN PERSON, and had their run on Facebook, only to end on Facebook...but not so much in real life. I have 2 relationships like that. For one of those people, it's really best that we NOT be Facebook friends, and for the other...although I still desire a friendship with this person in "real life", I NEVER want to be friends with them again on Facebook. It simply does NOTHING to enhance our friendship, and at this very moment, has actually created a divide.

So...if that second person ever decides to reconcile, I'm here. No, I'm not gonna go running TO that person to reconcile because it's not my responsibility THIS TIME. That person did ME wrong, so THAT person has to fix this. Plain and simple. I've reached out. That person did not reach back. My part is done.

Now...Let the DIALOGUE begin: Are there people in your life who you would never want to be friends with on Facebook?

Talk to me!

Til next time...

To the Cornfield!!!

Yesterday I got into a bit of a Facebook tiff with one of my "acquaintances". This woman has got to be one of THE MOST argumentative people on the planet. Yesterday was just one of MANY times that she has challenged something I said because my POSITIVITY goes against her PESSIMISM.

Due the the lack of response that I received from my request on Thursday to help my friend out financially, I posted the following yesterday morning:

"How would you feel if you knew you had the opportunity to help someone out of a very bad situation, yet you chose not to and that person's situation became exponentially worse?
Think about that for a moment and then PLEASE help me help my friend. I wouldn't keep asking if this wasn't important. PLEASE help."

Well...she had to chime in and say that if the situation was going to be "exponentially worse" then it's too late to help anyway, so what's the point. And...WHY would she (or anybody) want to help a stranger...yadda, yadda, yadda. NEGATIVE.

Now for those who know me...I mean REALLY know me, they know that I don't do negativity. There is simply no room for it in my heart, nor on my Facebook page...so I deleted her comment.

Apparently, she was monitoring the post because she then came back and saw that her comments had been deleted, to which she then proceeded to call me a "manipulative piece of work". Why? Because I choose to control MY Facebook page. Call me what you will (I've been called worse), but I don't have to have that mess on my page if I don't want it. It was taking away from the whole point of the post, so it had to go.

She later came back with even MORE negativity and at that point I not only deleted the newest comment, but made it so that she could no longer see the post. I mean REALLY...some people just LOOK for a fight. I don't operate that way. Just as I do not watch horror movies because I believe that we need to control the images that are put in our minds, I also don't let negativity in. If I can control it in any way...it has GOT TO GO!

Yesterday's antics reminded me of the Twilight Zone episode where Anthony sends "bad things" to the cornfield. Man...I sure wish I had a cornfield yesterday!!!

Interestingly, I thought she would have "unfriended" me after yesterday. I thought about "unfriending" her, but then I thought, "Why do that?" I'm gonna keep letting my Light shine, and maybe some of it will seep into her darkness.

Let the DIALOGUE begin: How do YOU deal with negative people in your life?

Talk to me!

Til next time...

MyFace

Five days from today will mark the 1 year "anniversary" of my Mom's passing. Anniversary really doesn't seem like the right word, but I imagine it will do for now.

So much has happened and changed in this past year.

In honor of my Mom's memory, I have decided to dedicate this month to her on Facebook, via my profile pics.

I've always changed my profile pic on the following days of each month: 1st, 8th, 15th, 22nd, 29th. Why? Because I get bored looking at the SAME thing ALL the time. So when it comes to my page, I like to "switch it up".

This month, every profile pic will be of my Mom. A couple will have ME in them too (like the current one). In two that I can think of, I am also in the pic, just not seen...unless you look at my Mom's big belly. That's where you'll spot me...just days from being born.

I've always been very particular about my profile pics, and I always make sure that I am in them. I don't do cartoon characters, or quotes, or images that are not MY face. I began that practice when a friend passed away and her profile pic was of her boyfriend. To this day, if you go to her page, there's HIS face.

If something ever happened to me, I'd want people to see MY face as the memory...not something random.

However, there IS an exception. That exception is my Mom. If by chance God calls me home THIS month while my Mom's face is my profile pic, I would be a-ok with that. Heck, I look just like her anyway...most folks wouldn't even know the difference.

Ironically, my Mom wanted nothing to do with social media when she was still living here on earth. I asked her once if she wanted a Facebook page and her response was, "I don't care about MyFace. I don't have any friends, nor anybody I would want to get back in touch with, so there's no point in having a page." Oh, I was so tickled when she called it "MyFace".

I wonder what she'd say if she knew that her face has finally made the pages of Facebook. She'd probably say, "Take my picture down. I don't want some weirdo to see it." Yep, that's probably what she'd say.

Well, that's about it. If you happen to be one of my Facebook friends, I hope you enjoy my profile pics this month...my "Month of Mom".

Let the DIALOGUE begin: What's the most unusual profile pic you've ever seen on Facebook?

Talk to me!

Til next time...

HIS Loss!!!

So a couple months ago, my fiend and I attended an "All Class Reunion" Brunch that was being held by my high school's Class of '85 (which was the year before ours).

We're there...everybody's having a good time yuckin' it up and whatnot.

After a couple hours, in walks this guy, good looking, who hasn't aged a day since high school.

We talk with him for a while, he's pretty cool, and we ask if he's on Facebook. He wasn't. What?!? Someone OUR age NOT on Facebook?!? What's up with THAT???

He tells us that he's going to create a page soon and we say, "Cool. Once you do we'll send you a friend request." He liked that idea.

A couple weeks later, he sets up his page. My friend had pretty much been watching for it DAILY, so when his page was up, she told me and we both sent friend requests.

More weeks passed by and last Wednesday she sends me a "Breaking News" alert that he had FINALLY accepted her request. Really? Hmmm. That's interesting. He hadn't accepted mine.

Then she told me that he had been accepting people (because again...she'd been stalking his page, so she could see his friend count increasing), and she wasn't sure what took him so long to accept hers.

In that instant I already knew that he wasn't going to accept mine. I know his type. I sent a friend request to another former classmate years ago, and he too just sat on the request...never accepted. Why? Because these dudes have "standards" and they only allow a certain "look" on their page. I don't fit that standard, so neither one accepted my request.

So...just as I did with the other guy years ago...I will now go in and CANCEL my request for THIS new guy. Facebook friends a great, and I really like (and actually KNOW) 99.9% of mine. But the last thing I care about is WHEN will this dude (or ANYBODY) will accept my request, or why they haven't already. I guess we'll never know since I'm cancelling the request.

Sometimes Facebook can really feel like kindergarten. *sigh*

Anywhoo...Let the DIALOGUE begin: Do you have folks you've sent requests to and they're just sittin' on them? If so, will you just leave the request there, or will you cancel it at some point?

Talk to me!

Til next time...

Friends...How Many of Us Have Them?

Facebook is such an interesting place...really, it is.

What I find most interesting are the folks who ignore my friend requests.

Who knows...maybe I'm too liberal in my "friend acceptance". My criteria isn't all that high, and oddly enough, I have an AMAZING bunch of FB friends.

My guidelines are pretty much this:

If we went to school together at any time...I accept.
If we worked together at any time...I accept.
If we dated at any time...I accept.
If we've met before and hit it off (even if it was only ONE time)...I accept.
If we have at least 7 mutual friends (y'all know how I am about the number SEVEN)...I accept.
If we are family...I accept.
If we've attended the same church at any time...I accept.

So you see...I'm really not all that choosey.

But SOME folks...my goodness!

Now what brought this post on was the fact that I went to "like" another friend's post and took a look at the other folks who had also "liked" it (if you didn't know this about me...I am a MAJOR Facebook looky-loo. I love looking at other folk's pages...seeing "who's who" and "what's what". It's quite fascinating). Well lo and behold, there was a person whom I had sent a request to MONTHS ago. We went to elementary school together and have MANY mutual friends. Well...she's been sitting on my lil ol' request. And I have no idea why.

I wasn't mean to her in elementary school (I wasn't mean to anybody...although MANY were mean to me, but that's a different post for another day).
You would think that with so many mutual friends, if she didn't remember me, she would've asked somebody.
And then again, who knows...maybe she just didn't want to accept my request and it's as simple as that.

Mind you...I sent the request to her so long ago, I had forgotten all about it. Seeing her profile again tonight with "friend request sent" under her name was all I needed to "cancel request". After all...I'm not desperate for friends, in "real life" or on FB, so cancelling the request was no sweat off my nose.

Funny...I sent another individual a request years ago, and he sat on my request too. We went to middle school AND high school together. I though I was cool with him. Guess not. With him though, I know that it was because I don't meet his "attractiveness" standard that he sets for folks in his circle. If you don't "look" a certain way, or have the "right" body type, he wants nothing to do with you. I am friends with one of his brothers (who's VERY "down to earth" and not nearly as saditty (sp?), so, it's all good.

Let the DIALOGUE begin: What's YOUR criteria for accepting friends on Facebook? Or do you not have one?

Talk to me...(and send me a request if we're not friends already ;-)

Til next time...

Please Define: LIKE

A couple days ago a friend posted this:

"Not feeling good."

Underneath that was a picture of my friend laying in a hospital bed.

Now...can you guess what I am about to say? Can you?!?

How 'bout I help you out.

That post got 58 "likes". 58! WHY?!?

Why would anyone "LIKE" that???

This individual was IN THE HOSPITAL with tubes coming out, and clearly stated "Not feeling good." WHAT IS THERE TO LIKE ABOUT THAT?!? That is not something that anyone should "like".

I just don't get it. I just don't.

Comment if you will (I did), and wish the person well...but don't "LIKE" the fact that this person is not feeling well. Just don't!

Ugh!!!

But it doesn't stop there.

Today, another friend posted this:

"Just one of them days but I'm pushing through it. It was a rough one."

Again...17 "likes". WHY???

Clearly, this person is not having a good day. So how 'bout leaving a comment with something encouraging and/or uplifting to say. But don't "like" the fact that they are having a rough day. Nooo!!!

Again I say...I just don't get it.

Maybe I'm the only one who gets completely irked by this. Maybe. Am I?

What say you?

Let the DIALOGUE begin: What is YOUR Facebook Pet Peeve?

Talk to me!

Til next time...

Between You, Me & The Fence Post

So I've got this little secret, which really won't be much of a secret at all after this post (and depending on how many folks actually READ my posts).

The soon-to-be-not-so-secret-secret is that I have been "in a relationship" for the past 11 months. I know, I know...this is "pearl clutching news" to most folks. Breathe.

He and I have been friends for over 12 yrs and just last August began seeing each other on a consistent basis. He's fantastic! Makes me laugh, wipes my tears when I cry, is super-friendly (I don't think he's EVER met a stranger), extremely intelligent, tall, dark, handsome, and a whole lotta other stuff. Up until now, he's been my "well kept secret". There are probably only 10 people who know about us, if even that many. And I like it that way. We both do.

So yesterday, someone asked me why I haven't changed my relationship status on Facebook. My reply was, "What's the big deal? If it's not on Facebook does that mean that it doesn't exist?"

Her response was, "Yeah. If it's not on Facebook, then it doesn't count."

How comical is that?!?

Like, how did relationships exist BEFORE Facebook? Unlike many folks who post EVERY TIME they are IN and then OUT and then IN and OUT of relationships...I'm just not that person.

I saw a quote that said, "Facebook should have a limit on how many times you can change your relationship status. After 3 it should default to 'Unstable'." Makes sense to me.

Anyhoo...There you have it folks. I am very happily in a relationship with my "Joe" and that's all that matters.

If I EVER change my status it will be changed to say "MARRIED". For me, any status other than that isn't anything to write home about.

Let the DIALOGUE begin: What's YOUR status?

Talk to me!

Til next time...

This is YOU...and this is You TOO???

So much to write about. So little time.

Here's what's on my mind at this very moment...people who have multiple accounts on Facebook with the same name. Funny...I just got a giggle as one of those folks is actually one of my faithful readers here at "The Dialogue Den". She's not who I was thinking of though when I came up with this post. In her case, I know that one page is her personal page, and the other is for her business.

I have 3 other friends though who have duplicate pages and I don't think that those dupes are for personal/business purposes. What really tickles me is when one "identically named page" will like something that was posted on the other "identically named page". I just don't get it. But then again, I don't get why folks "like" their own statuses either. I mean...isn't it implied that if you POSTED it... then you probably "like" it anyway.

I dunno. That's just me thinkin' again.

So anyhoo...

Let the Dialogue begin: Do YOU have multiple Facebook pages with the SAME EXACT NAME? And if so...please tell us why. My inquiring mind would like to know.

Talk to me!

Til next time...

Who REALLY Has the Last Word?

So a couple days ago a friend of mine posted on Facebook about this new thing where you can designate someone to have access to your page and post on your behalf AFTER DEATH.

I thought it was a joke. I mean really...what's the point? Why would anybody want that?

Well...today ANOTHER friend posted in more detail about the subject and apparently it's REALLY an option. It's called a "Legacy Contact" and so that you can see what it's all about for yourself, I will include the link to the info at the bottom of this post.

But it really made me think. Personally, I find it a bit creepy. When I die, that's it...I don't want ANYBODY posting on my behalf. I mean...who can say what I say better than me? NOBODY. I have my own voice and wouldn't want anyone else trying to mimic it.

And let's be honest...folks don't "get me" as it is while I'm alive...I can only imagine someone trying to "get me" after my earthly life is over. NO THANKS, I'LL PASS.

Now, I understand that even without this whole "Legacy Contact" thing, folks would still be able to post on my page, and I have no problem with that. My only issue is having folks post AS ME.

From what I understand, sometimes families will want a deceased person's page removed (for whatever reason), and I understand that too. But I think it's also kinda nice to just leave the page "as is".

When I think about my own page, I think of it as the "legacy" that I will leave behind for others to remember who I was and what I was about in this life. This is the primary reason why I keep 99% of my posts positive and upbeat. A)Because that really IS how I am in life, and B)Who wants to look back on a bunch of angry, bitter, negative, sad posts? That's NOT how I EVER want to be remembered. So you will find VEERRRYYYY little of that on MY page.

Interestingly, I've often wondered if folks WILL post anything on my page after I'm gone, and if so, how much of it will even get through. After having one too many hideous photos of myself posted, I quickly learned how to set my page to where I have to review most stuff in order for it to show up on my timeline. So...if I'm not here to review it...hmmm...

Enough about me though.

Let the DIALOGUE begin: Would you want someone posting on YOUR behalf after you're gone?

Talk to me (while I'm alive)!

Til next time...

https://www.facebook.com/help/1568013990080948

Well WHADAYA'KNOW!

I gotta tell ya...I've been on Facebook since 2009 and for the most part, I REALLY enjoy it. I've reconnected with LOTS of my friends from my elementary, middle & high school, along with many co-workers of the past. I'm friends with a few of my church members, and then there's family...LOTS of family.

Yet with all that I "LIKE" about Facebook, there are still some things that make me scratch my head at times.

For instance...those folks who you send a "friend request" to and they NEVER accept it. I have one such person in mind right now. I won't say his name, but I'll gladly give his initials: DC

I went to middle school AND high school with him, and ran into him a few times AFTER we graduated. Thought we were cool. His brother is cool. His cousin is cool. So what's up?

After a while I was like, "Really dude? I'm not trying to "get with you", I'm just re-connecting. That's what we do here on FB. So get over yourself!"

Eventually I canceled the request. Like why would I want to have someone like THAT as a "friend" anyway?!?

Then there are the mysterious "unfriend-ers". Now I've been "unfriended" several times. Three of those times I knew exactly who the folks were and pretty much knew WHY they did it. Two of those three have since "friended me" again.

But recently I noticed that some folks "fell off" and I had no way of know who they were. No biggie. Some folks fall off because they deactivate their accounts. Some fall of because for whatever reason, they decide that they need to clean up their "friends list" and I don't make the cut. I think that's what may have happened with one individual, but for another...I honestly believe that she unfriended me because I'm not "fit". Her life is about fitness and mine simply isn't. Sure, I'd love to be fitter, and weigh less, but I'm also okay with me, "just as I am". Regardless of how I look on the outside, on the INSIDE I am simply STUNNING. I don't think she saw me that way though, and I'm okay with that. She was a pretty cool person and I liked her a lot. Clearly, the feeling wasn't mutual. She was one of those "friends" who I met ON Facebook, we got to know each other, hung out in person a few times, and I THOUGHT we were cool. Again I say...I thought wrong.

Nevertheless, I wish her the best, and if I saw her out on the street one day, I would speak as though things were as I thought they were.

But here's what prompted the post...not so much the "unfriending" but HOW I found out that she unfriended me.

I was on Facebook, scrolling through my feed and she popped up as one of the "People You May Know". I was like, well yeah I know her...we're already "friends". Then I looked for her in my friends list and realized, she's not there anymore. Well WHADAYA'KNOW!

So yeah, that's just one of the many wonders of the "Whacky World of Facebook". It's really like a box of chocolates...you never know what you're gonna get...or WHEN you'll be "unfriended".

Let the DIALOGUE begin: Have you ever THOUGHT you were "friends" with someone on Facebook, only to realize later that they had "unfriended" you? If so, did you confront them about it, or did you "keep it pushin'"

Talk to me!

Til next time...