I am what I am...an abuser of "Facebook"

I have been a Facebook user since 2005...7 years. For me, this social network started out with nothing but ONE "profile picture", an "about me section" which in my case has shared nothing other than, "I'm kind of a big deal",thank you Will Ferrell, a few interests, political views, where I went to high school, and last but not least, where I was currently attending college.  You see, when I first became a user of this website it was still called "TheFacebook" and you needed an e-mail address that ended in ".edu".  Those were much simpler times.  As most of us know, Facebook is now used as a marketing device, a marketplace, a dating website, an instant messaging tool, a party planner, a source of news and current events, an online gaming arena...oh, and one more thing, a way for friends, co-workers, relatives and more importantly parents to stalk you. Remember when it was funny when one of your family members joined the site?  Remember when it was still a little bit funny when one of your parents "friend requested" you?  Remember when it got significantly less funny when both of your parents and your grandparents were users?  Remember when it got unfunny?  I do. It was the first time my family members got a good look at my life outside of holiday gatherings/birthday parties. It was when I first felt the need to defend my reputation to those outside of my close group of friends.
     
Now hear me out. There are 2 sides to every story.  At this point you could be thinking...well, Dani, one could say if you have a problem with texts from your mom saying "please take down those pictures their inappropriate and embarrassing me" you should just delete your page, or block those who care, but here's the thing, as childish and as immature as it may sound. 

I WAS THERE FIRST

As a friend of mine on Facebook, view at your own discretion.  My choices are my own.  Judge me at your own risk.  The worst I have done is out in the open. I am what I am...just another abuser of Facebook.

Cutting the Cord

After a fairly long hiatus from blogging, I am happy to say I'm back at it.  I am living in Las Vegas now. Didn't see that coming, huh? I guess we can answer the question from one of my first posts. 

Q:If he runs? 
A: I follow...happily...skipping behind him, and smiling. A real smile too...like one you get when someone buys you cotton candy and you weren't expecting it.

 I moved westward to Nevada at the end of January after finishing school at stupid, lame, lovely, Millersville University, and so far things have been going well, other than the fact that I have yet to find a professional job. 53 Resumes faxed/e-mailed later and I am no closer to my career path. I can't say I'm surprised by this.  I moved to Las Vegas. "Education and government work have the nation's capital on top, while sunbelt tourism meccas like Miami and Las Vegas suffer most." Oh, thanks Forbes.com.  Tell me something I don't know!

Other than the fact that I am on the opposite side of the country, the biggest difference I've noticed living here is my parents aren't around to do everything for me.  Obtaining residency and registering my vehicle is something I would have absolutely delegated to my mom or dad if they weren't 2,000 plus miles away.  Not because I think myself too important to be bothered with things of that nature, but because I don't know where to begin.  I've never had to do anything like it because they always took care of it before it was even a thought in my mind.  Alright I just read the last few sentences and I sound like a spoiled brat, but listen guys, I'm doing it all on my own now!  I'm growing up.  I'm becoming an adult.  One car registry at a time. 

I've almost completely cut the cord. It's scary.

Moving on...Living with Mike is hella cool.  "Hella" is an adjective us west coast folk use to emphasize the awesomeness of everything that exists from Kansas to California. At least that's what I've been told.  I'm still learning the lingo.  I actually don't belong here at all.  Other than the relaxed nature of it's inhabitants I share nothing in common with most people I've met. Example A:  I've developed a couple nicknames so far..."Wide Open Spaces"(inappropriate),and "white girl"(not in PA anymore, Toto).  The fact that I grew up on the east coast happens to be a huge barrier in getting to know me.  To my friends in Lancaster, if you thought we were sheltered you've got to meet some of the LV locals.  Most of them have never been anywhere but California, and apparently Colorado is far east.  They don't understand how bars can close at 2, or how they are still standing if they were established in the 1700's.  If I'm making it seem like these people are unintelligent that's not my intention.  There is just a big difference in how we are raised. 

Also, very important side note...there has been many times where my sarcasm I'm sure has been mistaken for stupidity. I'm trying to ease back a bit, but I don't want to lose my wit!

So far, this move has been an adventure and an experience, but nothing more.  I haven't found a new me or a place to call home.  I can tell you with certainty I could never establish a life here, not with everything I want to accomplish. Also, Las Vegas has been ruined as a vacation spot.  Oh well, at least I'm learning to live on my own. Right?

big ship, small ship, friendship

In elementary school, your best friends are those that watch the same television shows, share your love of a particular kind of cookie, and live within 2 miles of you.

In middle school, your best friends are those that still like you even with a face full of pimples, play on the same sports team, and have only gone as far as you have with a boy(or girl).

In high school, your best friends are those that help you gain popularity, shop at the same clothing stores, and have abused the same illegal substances.

In the rarest cases you find a best friend "forever" one that stays with you through childhood and beyond, that watches the same shows, shares your love for a particular food, grows up next you, sees the beauty beneath your blemishes, plays your favorite sport with you even if they are terrible at it, tells you their sexcapades, introduces you to new, exciting, people, opens their wardrobe to you, and puts out your blunt so you can throw back a lager with them.

In the unthinkable cases, you find more than one. I am an unthinkable case.

When I moved back to Lancaster after living in West Chester for 4 years, I thought I was doomed to ride solo.  I figured since I had not kept in touch with many people from home that no one would take the bait when I cast out the "Hey! I'm home, let's get together." text.  I could imagine my friends rolling their eyes and placing their phones back into their pockets and bags after they read it.

I was too quick to judge.  I underestimated the strength of the bonds I had created over the years.

People always tell you the friends you meet in college will become your best friends, and yes I made a few great friends there, but only 2 that I know I'll remain in touch with.

My greatest friends are the ones I've grown up with.
So, since I don't tell these people enough how much they mean to me, I'll blog about it, and tell my few readers how wonderful they are.  (I'm almost positive these 4 are my only readers.)

Holland-My sister. We moved in together after dreaming about it since 2nd grade. She's the person who knows more about me than anyone, including my sister and parents. I go to her when I have a pimple on my back, not because I want her to pop it, but because I know she wants to. Her family is my family.  She's the first person I call with good news, and not so good news, and even though we share many differences, the commonalities between us are the things that make a friendship work.


Allison-My partner in crime.  My tit for tat. The friend I look up to and aspire to be more like. She's the girl that taught me how to be myself.  She always pushes me to do things the hard way. I've laughed harder and more times with her than anyone. With Allison, what you see is what you get. She's honest, selfless and wonderful. The best stories I have to tell all involve things that happend when we were together.

Eli-My little brother. Most people look to him for entertainment, but I look to him for good advice and someone to pick me up on dark days. When I'm with Eli, I know it's going to be an adventure.  He makes everything fun, and everyone around him smile. He's the first person I call to relax with, and the first person I call when I'm ready to rage.

Zac-My gingy.  He's the friend who helped me find self-worth.  He sings my praises to everyone he meets. He's the guy that's already on my doorstep before I call to tell him I need him.  He's quick to forgive and even quicker to say I'm sorry. He reads me like and book and knows what I need before I do.  He's a great listener, and shows no judgement.

Ok, so for most this is vomit inducing material.  I know I gagged a few times through it.  But, get over it! I love my friends and I don't care who knows it.  I'll shout it from the top of a mountain.

Next post will be funny, ok?

"There are big ships, and there are small ships, and the best ships of all...friendships."