Son Two tells me Facebook is the "highlight reel" of everyone's life and I get what he means. Rarely do folks post photos of themselves looking, acting, and feeling rotten. I actually appreciate it when they do, since for me Facebook is a community and I love it best when it's interactive and honest. But then, I keep my " FB Friends" list pretty well cleaned up to include people I care about and am willing to be honest with -- no old high school rivals, horrible ex-bosses, or former boyfriends I'm still trying to impress.But I guess I'm guilty of the "highlight reel" thing too. I don't usually post photos that make me look fat (it's the photo, it's not me!) and I pick pretty, fun things to display -- none of me sitting in construction zone traffic, getting pounded to the sand by a rogue wave, or lying in bed for several hours with a headache. (Also part of Hawaiian adventures!)
I was thinking of this as we've traveled around the island on this trip. I wondered if all the people I saw in less than total "Aloha Spirit" were also posting "highlight reel" coverage of their trip?
Then at the Kauai Coffee Company, crowded with coffee connoiseurs tasting every conceivable roast and blend, I saw a woman of about 70 literally stomp her foot and declare to her friend, loudly, "He just pushes my buttons and I CAN'T STAND IT!" I noticed a man of about the same age turn and glare at her. Another moment of wedded bliss, I thought. Post that!
At the snorkeling beach yesterday I sat on a shady bench on the lawn watching Hub navigate the warm, blue sea observing the underwater life (I don't like to put my face in the water...but I'm working on it) when a man of about 50 joined me, but immediately sat on the far end with his back to me. Not interested in casual conversation, I assumed; fine with me. Soon a woman joined him and since he grabbed her butt, I figured he knew her pretty well. They began to talk and before long he became quite animated. It was weird, since they were right next to me, but maybe it was the wind, waves, and the fact that they were facing away from me, but I couldn't make out a word he was saying. But boy was he mad! He was on a rant about something that had to be expressed with great arm waving and swearing because literally the only words I could hear, since he placed his emphasis there, was f*#k, f*#king, f*#k! And "never again!" He was not mad at her...she was a sympathetic listener, but boy, something had riled him up! Post that!
Yesterday, back at the pool, an attractive young couple sat facing each other on the edge of their chairs, she holding about a 10-month-old little boy on her lap. They were engaged in what seemed to be an intense conversation. As I walked by I saw him lean forward and interrupt her to say, "Look! Let me spell this out for you!" I wanted to smack him and feared for the role modeling he was providing for his son. I hope she told him to shut the f*#k up, but I kept walking, so don't know how their drama ended. Still, post that!
I guess my point is, "highlight reel" or not, real life comes along on vacation with us. I'm just glad Hub and I are so compatible at this point in our marriage. We've grown closer this trip rather than more irritated. Rest assured, when we are smiling in those Facebook posts, we really mean it. And for that, I'm truly grateful.
I love this post and your observations of life around you. I like to make up back stories about people I observe, too.
ReplyDeleteI like your son's description of Facebook being like a highlight reel. It sure is true. A young mother in my family is posting a dozen posts a day documenting everything her new baby is doing. It's fun to see her loving highlights.
Thanks, Jean. I love when people post real things...not the constant forwarding of memes and newswires or kitten videos, etc. I just ski most of those in search of a real thought or photo -- even if it's the highlights and none of the lowlights.
DeleteThis post was very interesting and I wonderful if the WISE would be interested in doing a "Highlight Reel"? I know, for me, it is difficult to post my problems - although my close friends understand about aging parents, physical conditions and family worries. And, I confess, I like to know that, when reading another persons highlights, I could comfort or be helpful in some way. And we know there are posts that do suggest and sometimes detail the difficulties. And they do get support. But I love seeing the photos and I relate those pictures to a Family Album which only rarely showed the screaming toddler or the about-to-die Father-in-law. I will think about your words, Donna, and probably come back to them on occasion. Thank you for your thoughts.
ReplyDeleteI wouldn't want a steady diet of everyone's woes, but I also don't mind if someone genuinely is having a rough time and asks for support. I love the photos people post of themselves, friends, family. I agree -- it's like a glimpse into the family album that I feel honored to see. And yes, another good idea for WISE!
DeleteOn FB, I want to see what my friends are doing. Usually all I get are pages and pages of shared links! Takes up too much of my morning to look at all that useless crap. I would have wanted to slap the "Now look!" guy!
ReplyDeleteI mostly skip over all the shared links too, Judy. When people ask to friend me, I tell them they have to share real stuff or I'll ditch them. Ha
DeleteThe shared links are a pain if a person does too many of them. I have a friend who does 15-20 a day, mostly political. So I took him out of my feed. Some of the feeds I enjoy but I don't one person to dominate the entire FB page. I do maybe one feed a month,one flashback photos a month and that's about all. I do comment on other people's posts and photos, though. My profile as a link to my blog. If anyone really wants to know what is going on with me, they know where to find me.
ReplyDeleteJeez, I must have still been asleep when I posted the above. It's so full of typo that I'm embarrassed!
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