As I sit here on the computer and realize that I have not posted for a while, I also realize the value of the internet in my life. I am on my computer for many different reasons every day. Personally it is a love/hate relationship because it does take time to return the 50+ emails I get everyday, do an analysis for work, update calendar etc… but, it also keeps me up to date with my friends and new found family. I am able to post pics just once and boom! everyone I know can see them all at once. I can introduce myself to millions at a time (small exaggeration) and I can bring in business for my company that I otherwise would never have been able to do. I am able to market the community efforts that I am involved in, I can laugh or cry at a joke or story, find new meaning in my life, share my poems (yes, I am a self-proclaimed poet), find a date (this has not worked as of yet) and anything else my crazy mind can imagine. Now, here I am blogging…who would’ve thought?
The best thing so far is that my 2 sisters and I found each other again thanks to this wonderful tie to the world around me. I would have never guessed that we were looking for each other at the same time. She is not internet savvy but since I am all over the internet via networking, facebook and others, she was able to get in touch with me via Reunion.com or now it is called Mylife.com. Of course, I had to become a member to read her emails but that was $60 well spent don’t you think?
Before this happened, Facebook was just a way for me to keep up with my son and his friends (actually, what they were doing behind closed doors). Now, I use it everyday to keep up with my sisters and other friends, post new pics when my poor, overused and old computer will allow me and I also play that stupid Farm Town. I am now beginning to allow others to join my page regarding work or other networking stuff. I was doing Dope Wars but it was hard to explain why I was asking my son to be a dope dealer for me. I might have gotten on Facebook once or twice a week at the time but it was enough to do what I needed to do. Now, I spend at least 2-3 hours a day on the computer and alot more time on Facebook and some days have been up to 10 hours. Crazy! Now I have joined the Twitter craze and I love it… I now have it and others on my phone so that I can keep up with everything like an addict to heroin. I even get texts when my favorite people post something new. What is happening to me? I feel like a stalker!!!
I have begun to do webinars too! Can you believe that I can be on vacation visiting one of my sisters in PA or MI and do a meeting in my sweats? Of course you can, what can we NOT do on the internet now? I am doing a training meeting next week while at my sisters in PA…what a concept!! Now I never have to say that I cannot come to visit you since I have to work. Now I can say…no problem, I can take care of that.
I have met some amazing people through the internet, people that have been a blessing in my life. I have also met some that I prefer not to know but I can block them…isn’t that great? It is like not being home
I am watching you! Kinda spooky isn't it?
when they come knocking. The only downside I have discovered is how exposed you are to entities that you may not want to be exposed to…viruses, crazy people and xxx advertisements to name a few. We must take precautions but too many precautions would not have allowed my sisters to find me. What a dilemma!
I was also able to find my mother again via the internet even though she does not even own a computer. I was able to find her phone number and address and every single last name she has had in the last 27 years (and this is alot of last names to go through.) I think she was married about 10 times since then. I finally got to her last husband (which she had just divorced him about 6 months ago) and he gave me her cell number. I called my sisters with the number in my hand and froze..what to do?? Do I call? Do I let sleeping dogs lie?
I had found her a few times in the past but she always said she was not ready to see me. Could I handle this same rejection again? Yes, I could, I had my sisters for support…so I called.
Needless to say, I lost her again. This time it was on purpose. She was ready to see me but on the 2nd phone call she was wanting to come up to Indy from Georgia to live with me. EEEEK!!! I wasn’t ready for that one. She is still having some of the same issues of 27 years ago when she dropped me off and never came back! Oh well, if I need to find her again I will always have the internet!
One thing is for sure…this internet thing is only going to get better and I plan on going along for the ride.
Vanessa Lammers's Blog 