Friday, January 29, 2010

Friday Five: Social Media

KathrynZJ is wondering:

1) What have been the benefits for you of social networking (blog, twitter, facebook, etc...)

Blogging brought me a wonderful group of far-flung friends, most of whom I would never have met otherwise. It also has provided an outlet for writing at times when I had something to sayand no other place to say it. Facebook has helped me reconnect with some old friends and keep up with folks on a daily basis.

2) Which medium do you use the most? Or if you use them all, for what do you use each of them?

It seems to me that the social aspects of blogging have largely been taken over by Facebook. I still blog when I have something on my mind and no other outlet for it, but lately I blog less than I used to...and have noticed that many other bloggers are doing the same. I've never used Twitter and don't even know how (or care).

3) If you could invent a networking site (with no limits on your imagination), what would it provide? What would it not provide?

I think between blogging, FB, and email (remember email?), and just picking up the telephone, all of my networking needs are met.

4) Who have you met that you would not have met if it were not for the 'miracle' of social networking?

Where do I begin! Everyone who might possibly read this today, except for my friend QG, who got me into this blogging business. Blogging has been a blessing and a joy to me, and I have loved the times I've been able to spend with RevGal friends.

5) Who do you secretly pray does not one day try to 'friend/follow' you?

Nobody that I can think of. I have hit the "Ignore" button on FB once or twice.

BONUS: What was the most random/weird/unsettling/wonderful connection you made that would not have happened if it were not for the ease of which we can find each other in the computer realm?

When I put my maiden name on FB, naturally people from junior high and high school started popping up. I was a bit mystified at why some of them might want to friend me, but so far no harm has been done. One day, one of my (not-serious) high school boyfriends sent me a suggestion that I friend another (more serious) high school boyfriend. After a little hesitation, I wondered what harm it could do now, and out of curiosity I sent him a friend request. Well, he is deeply involved in breed rescue and fostering, and we've exchanged a number of dog rescue-related messages. With the encouragement (urging? exhortation?) I've received from him and my dear Dogblogger, I have decided to try fostering rescue dogs. Riley is used to living with other dogs, and seems a bit lonely by himself. We'll see what happens!

Saturday, January 23, 2010

Friday Five (on Saturday): Trains, Planes, and Automobiles

The Scientist and I returned this afternoon from a nice overnight trip to San Antonio, where we were able to combine business and pleasure. Unfortunately, we discovered right after we got home that some dirty scoundrel had gotten hold of our credit card number and had gone on quite a spree today in a midwestern state far, far away. Card's cancelled, game's over, no lasting harm done, but I was still furious. We think someone at the place where we went for a nightcap last night must have copied the number and given it to someone else, who then hopped on a plane (we were very close to the airport) and had a fine time today until Visa brought it to a halt. Well, perhaps that's what we get for hanging out in bars...

Anyway, thanks to Songbird for these traveling questions:

1) What was the mode of transit for your last trip?

Car. That gave us plenty of room to bring a cooler for the Texas olive oil and olives we found at the farmer's market this morning, not to mention our leftover barbecue. We had to get home in time to pick up Riley at the vet, so the dairy will have to wait until next time.

2) Have you ever traveled by train?

Yes, several times. When I was in kindergarten, our class boarded one of the last passenger trains to serve my home town and rode with our teachers to the next town, seven miles east. The grownups knew that passenger trains were almost gone, and wanted us to experience a little bit of train travel while we still could. In college, friends and I took the Panama Limited from Memphis to New Orleans to visit a suitemate, but all I remember about the train ride is that we had to be at the station in the middle of the night. I must have dozed most of the way. About twenty years ago, the Scientist and I took the Coast Starlight from Los Angeles to San Francisco. How we enjoyed the ocean views and scenes we hadn't seen from the highway, such as the space shuttle launching pad at Vandenberg AFB.

3) Do you live in a place with public transit, and if so, do you use it?

Alas, no. There is a rail line nearby that gets heavy freight use but (in my opinion) would be perfect for commuter traffic. The Scientist and I predict that will happen around the time of our retirement!

4) What's the most unusual vehicle in which you've ever traveled?

Perhaps the Venetian water taxis that go to and from the airport, and the water buses, or vaporetti, that everyone uses to get around town. The schedules are easy to follow, and riding in a vaporetto along the Grand Canal is a travel experience found nowhere else.

5) What's the next trip you're planning to take?

I can hardly wait for May, when a number of heavy church responsibilities will finally be behind me, and we can celebrate in the British Virgin Islands aboard the lovely Arabella!