The Facebook Fire Hose, plus Ergonomics Part 3

After a five-year absence, I decided to join Facebook again. Less than twenty-four hours later, I already regretted my decision.

I left Facebook for a variety of reasons. My decision to come back was largely because I was learning vital information about relatives via the family members who are on Facebook. The same goes for my writing friends and religious community. I wanted first hand access to the events in the lives of my peeps ("friends and associates", for you peeps not up on the latest slang terminology).

Now here is my issue. The Facebook Firehose. Let me explain.

1. Immediately after friending a thirty-something, I had to unfriend said personage due to the liberal use of the F-bomb multiple times in every stinking post.
2. A relative on the right wing of the political spectrum flooded my page with likes and forewarded political screeds railing against everything that is wrong with America.
3. A dear old friend occupying the left wing of the political spectrum flooded my page with likes and forewarded political screeds railing against everything that is wrong with America.

So much for a gentle and friendly reunion with friends, family, and the writing community. The fire hose had been turned on, and I felt a wee bit assaulted with opinion overload.

I have firmly held political and religious beliefs. I arrived at these beliefs through a lifetime of observation, participation, and examination, not because of a Facebook post. So tell me about Fluffy’s trip to the groomer, your child’s first steps, a new job, or the beautiful fall colors, but save your political and religious haranguing for some other forum.

I was about to exit Facebook once again, and permanently this time, when my friend Julie sent a cat video. I replayed the video, laughing uproariously each time, until my husband threatened to take my phone away. Then Donna sent a hilarious Roombah story. Despite the annoyances, I'll give Facebook another chance. If only for the cute baby donkey picures, funny animal videos, and opportunity to reconnect with old friends and distant relatives.
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In conclusion, you can now find me on Facebook under Cathy Dilts. My profile picture is of me and the hubby in our hunter’s blaze orange. Oh, and my dead cat Tyger’s page is still active, although she passed from this world in 2010. A reminder to us all that what you say and do on Facebook may well survive long after you.

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Professional ergonomist Mary Plehal gave me the information to create a series of articles for the Pikes Peak Writers blog on Ergonomics for Writers. Part 3 focuses on stretching to prevent injury and alleviate aches and pains.

Join me at Writing from the Peak to learn the importance of stretching! 

This Saturday, I will appear on the award winning reading blog Dru's Book Musings. I am showcasing a secondary character on Dru's fun feature, "A Day in the Life." Cowgirl Lorina Dimple gives her take on the events that kick off Book Three in my Rock Shop Mystery series. I will send the link to the article when it goes live.

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