Facebook Friends?

I suppose I’m not unique in receiving friend requests from people I don’t recognize by name. I also find it a bit odd when a member of the opposite sex who I only know from passing in the hall wants to befriend me.

Requests from people at church make more sense. There we are a community of believers. Facebook can provide a way to get to know each other better.

Some of the strangest requests are from high school classmates that I really didn’t associate with back in the day. Why should I become pals with a guy who thought I was too square growing up because I didn’t drink and do drugs all the time as he did? Or a woman who really didn’t have time for me because I wasn’t in the same social circle of friends? I knew her in high school, junior high and grade school. Now she wants to get friendly, 34 years after I last saw her?

I imagine the requests are part of a desire for validation. If someone has 1,000 “friends” they must be more popular than someone with 100 contacts. I certainly don't look anything like I did in high school, as the photo can attest. In any regard, I think I probably have enough closer relationships online that I don’t need to go courting pseudo ones.

Missed Manners

Lately my office has reminded me of a kindergarten classroom. Suddenly work has become a list of rules I thought I learned before I knew how to tie my shoes. Apparently some others missed the memo.

I’m talking about the “refrigerator do’s and don’ts” someone has posted on the fridge in the conference room down the hall. The etiquette maven has advised me that I’m to clean up spills immediately. But the no-no list is longer. It includes, “Do not eat or drink foods that do not belong to you” and “do not leave food to rot and smell.” Thanks, Mom.

There also has been a swine flu-inspired sign erected in our office admonishing employees to “cover your cough” and “clean your hands.” More sage advice that I never heard before.

Another favorite is a plaque on a one-stall toilet a couple of floors down: “Please lock the door to ensure privacy.” There’s a concept for you.

Why did all this paternalistic politically correct advice invade my workplace, which is after all a conservative Christian environment? Are some people just upset that they don’t have more influence?

Passing on the Movies

I had planned on being part of the record-setting moviegoer crowd that packed theaters during the long Christmas weekend to the tune of $278 million. Avatar took in a whopping $75.6 million followed by Sherlock Holmes at $62.4 million.

Alas, I didn’t find the time. Freelance work and spending time with my 6-month-old granddaughter took precedence. I really wanted to go see The Blind Side after reading much about the movie. I checked out the times it played at the local cineplexes and quickly figured out why the box office set a record the last week of the year: it costs a lot to get into the theater.

I don’t go to many movies. In fact, I think the last time I paid to see a motion picture was three years ago (Rocky Balboa). The newspaper listed the price to go see a movie as $9.25. Even the matinee special ran $7.25. That seems to be a steep price, especially if my wife accompanies me. I’d rather spend the money on a nice meal in a restaurant.

Maybe I’ll catch The Blind Side when it comes to the “cheap” ($3 a seat) theater in a couple of months. Meanwhile, I’ll keep watching the old-time movies on Turner Classic Movies (no extra charge to my cable package). When the Robert Downey Jr. Sherlock Holmes movie debuted last month, I sat at home and watched the 1939 Basil Rathbone classic The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes on TCM instead. By watching movies on TV I miss out on a lot of sex, gore and violence — and I save some bucks.

Good Reading

About a year ago, my son Josh got me to sign up for Good Reads, a free online service where I can write book reviews of what I’ve read and see comments from friends about what they are reading.

I like the concept a lot. I can leave an electronic trail of what I read and what I thought about it. Even if I’m the only one who cares, at least it gives a sense of accomplishment and an outlet for my thoughts (sort of like a blog). It also provides a goal of what books I have waiting in the wings.

I make a practice of trying to read a little bit every week in between the busyness of life. Reading can be relaxing. And learning new information is good. Reading keeps me away from television, which also is usually good.

Many of my books are free review copies that I’ve requested as a journalist. Some of the authors become sources for me to interview on a particular topic.
Most of the rest of the books I read I buy at bargain prices at the Springfield Library biannual sale. Thus, I tend not to waste time on subjects I really don’t care about.

There have been years when I’ve read only a couple of books, other than the Bible — which I read through every year for more than a quarter century. But in 2009, I managed to finish 32 books. There’s a definite pattern. A dozen books dealt with spirituality, faith or church. Eight were biographies — sometimes about people I covered (Jerry Falwell), other times just for the fun of it (Cary Grant). Another eight books dealt with marriage or sexuality, topics which took a serious hit last year. Three focused on media. Only one involved health.

Despite the popularity of electronic media, print is not dead. I hope to read more than 32 books this year.