where the writers are
humpback whale flaps a hello

So I've discovered the aura and appeal of MySpace.  I was one of those people who smirked, shook my head, and promptly broke out in hives when someone would tell me "You really should check out this major social networking site."  No thanks, I'd think.  A friend is someone who cares about you, who will listen to you, hello, someone who actually knows you.  But through subterfuge and coercion, Zubis and I were brought to a place we can now call MySpace.  And we and nearly three hundred of my closest friends are happy to be there.

Maybe most of them don't, in fact, care about me.  They care about whatever messge they have to toot.  There are, for example, a ton of bands, artists, filmakers and, yes, authors who are there just to gain exposure.  That is initially why I even agreed to pursue this strange ethereal technological realm.... exposure.  Yet, as I welcomed each of my new friends ("thanks for the add" apparently is a routine comment you should send to people who join your network.  Who knew?), I was learning a little something about each of them. Kim is sweet and sincere; Maria misses her guy; Amy is a mom doing her best; Sofia (yes, Coppola.  She's my friend.) doesn't like to be told what to do; Ayaan Hirsi Ali is smart, determined, and lonely; Enrico is a really talented musician (although he needs to put his shirt back on);  ArmyStrong is a cool and brave teenager finding his way. And, yes, they are my friends.  I may not be able to go up the street and knock for them or grab a cup of coffee to dish over the latest turmoil, but I can send messages and comments and just let them know I'm out there. As far as the exposure; that has become incidental to the experience.  Because I used to think I had enough friends.  But now I realize you can never know too many people who you admire, who strike a chord in you, or who just want to be a friend.  So, stop by and say hello....