Christmas - and the internet &c - getting it off my chest

I was just tinkering about online, I won't name the site because I really don't like advertising something that is plain unhealthy most of the time, for a lot of people anyway - you'll know what I'm talking about, or the sort of site at least.  Anyway I was just fiddling about, and yes I did register with this particular site, just to connect with some lost friends and because my children insisted (aarghh). 

And my 'beef' is the status thing.  It's Christmas.  Most of us have family and friends, and we are the fortunate ones, I have to say.  But all of the people talking about being busy getting ready for Christmas, wrapping presents, worrying if they bought enough food to go round, well I'm sorry but it bores me.  In fact the whole 'status' thing bores me, "I'm off to bed now", "going to watch tv now", "time to bath the kids", "going to get dinner ready", and all that kind of thing.  Who cares?!

Sorry.  Just being honest.  I never update my status.  Well I have done, in the past, but never about heading off to the shower or eating dinner or going to bed or anything that everybody else does most days.  I've stopped putting anything on my status now.   I am guilty of saying "I passed!!" when I finished my Cert IV and got my certificate, and "I got the job!".  I was thrilled about those things, but I know nobody else really cared.  Yeah people responded, congratulations, well done, wow, all those sorts of platitudes, but the ones that really mattered, I picked up the phone and called and they came round to see me and congratulate me, in the real world.  That's where we need to be, people, firmly in the real world.

The internet.  Back to all that stuff.  Worse than the status thing, there are the ones that are very brave and/or incredibly selfish behind their computer screens.  The ones calling other people names and ranting about some situation that they generally have no involvement or influence in.  I guess it helps get it off your chest.  Like what I'm doing now, and I realise that.  But I'm not singling out a particular person or body.  Just saying that I'd like people to think before they put anyone or anything else down, online, for the world to see.

And the people that badmouth their husband or wife.  Well that must do the relationship a lot of good.  Oh, and!!  those people that say things like their partner never spends any time with them, and all that kind of thing, well really.  How on earth can your partner spend any time with you when you're on your computer just about every waking hour.  I pity all the internet widows and widowers out there, whose wives/husbands so desperately want their other halves back to share their thoughts and feelings with, and maybe just some time and company.  And by retreating into their internet world they breed another internet escapee, their partner, who gives up and takes on the 'if you can't beat 'em join 'em" attitude, when they find their partner too far gone from them.  So sad.

Of course for the lonely ones out there the internet is wonderful.  People do make friends online, real friendships are formed and add so much to a person's life, and that's wonderful.  The internet can be  so very helpful to a lot of people.  We all know that it can be dangerous too.  But I just think people in their personal real-life relationships need to deal with them in real-life.  Talk to the people that matter, who are causing you grief, or making you happy.  Let them know, deal with it openly, say you're hurt, let them know they've made you happy, whatever, but not through words on a screen.  Please.

... and just for the record, while I've been writing this my adorable husband is having a well-deserved sleep-in, when he wakes I will be with him, sharing a nice chat over a cuppa outside in the garden as we usually do when the sun is shining.  i.e. I like messing about on the net but the real people in my life will always be my priority.

That's all. I'm done now. Apologies for wasting your time. I know by writing this I am kind of guilty of doing what I say I'm against here. I make no excuses, this is "it" for me, a once only. However, if you want to comment feel free. Agree or disagree, it's all good. Healthy discussion only please, everyone is entitled to their opinion.