Let's call you Brooke...and now she's my best friend

If you know anything about me, you know that I love One Tree Hill. I can tell you the first episode I ever saw. I can tell you which song played in which scene, I can quote literally hundreds of lines from it. I've seen each season at least twice.

My favorite thing about the show is the relationships. Between the lovers, friends, parents. One of my favorite relationships is "Baley." Brooke, spastic beautiful cheerleader, and Haley, quiet, awkward nerd girl.

If I were to tell you about my best friend, this is what I would tell you. She is my Haley James Scott. She is not quiet, or awkward, but she is somewhat nerdy ;). Like Haley, she is kind, and giving. She is always there with sage advice and understanding.

I am Brooke Davis, folks. Loud and crazy and such a daredevil. Boy crazy. Flirtatious. Fashionista.A little too naive, but strong and resilient and emotional. And when I have no one else, I have my Haley, right there on the corner of Grace Street. Like Brooke and Haley, who met in highschool, we too met when we were..younger and we have grown and evolved together, bending but never breaking, just growing into the women we are today. The friends we are today.

There are times when I don't want to talk, I can't talk, and she respects that. There are times when she needs me and I am there to be that comedic relief with my crazy antics and stories to calm her down or make her smile.

Haley James Scott is gentle, and always encouraging. Creative. Always inspiring and urging you to put your best foot forward and follow your heart. I can't think of better qualities for a friend to have.

"And now she's my best friend."
I can't tell you when it happened. I remember us growing closer and closer with texts and calls but I can't define a  moment that made me realize how special she is to me. All I know is that she is, and I love her. We live miles apart and I miss her every day, but despite the distance we make it work. Like Brooke and Haley, we will continue growing together. We will see each other and time will pass and we'll see each other again. In times of despair, we'll be each other's rock and laughter and encouragement. In times of happiness, we'll be there sharing in each other's joy. True Friendship is the 8th wonder of the world, growing stronger over time instead of weaker, withstanding many, many things.

The season ended with Brooke and Haley growing older together and accepting life's changing seasons. That's all I can hope for us, is in ten years to be as close as we are now, if not closer. Watching our own kids form their life long friendships.

"And now she's my best friend."...for always<3

So Long, Social Networking

I have been blogging for as long as I can remember.

Honestly, I don't remember what I did on the computer before there was blogs. Okay, yes I do. I would play on Barbie.Com and fill up my basket on American Girl in hopes that the items would really end up on my doorstep and not just a wish list.

I have been blogging since six or seventh grade. Xanga became my first social outlet, and many of my peers caught on. Of course, by eighth or ninth grade it was out and myspace was in...and even still I returned to my Xanga page to update. I have a love for words, one that goes back many many years and it's hard to stay away from sharing my life. I used the myspace blog entry to do the same and still take the time to update my Xanga. Now there is blogger and blogspot and tumblr and all these websites to share your soul with millions (world wide web, people) of people.

Like most people my age, I have a facebook, and a twitter. I have my blog, which I wanted to invite you in yet not share every detail of my life. It has been a challenge. These days, you post a status to share with 300 + people. Sometimes you forget that behind the other computer screen reading your words are pastors. Younger audiences. Acquaintances. Depending on your privacy settings, strangers.

Lately, I have become frustrated with the things I see on facebook. People share details I don't want to know. People share details that other people shouldn't know. People complain and bitch and single people out passive aggressively. People update their friends on every.single.thing. Things no one cares about.

Twitter is worse. People call out the people on facebook they don't like. They talk about people. There are updates every 1second.

"There is no privacy that cannot be penetrated" is a quote that is coming to mind right now. Private conversations you have will end up on facebook. (Especially texts). Things you do with your friends will end up on facebook. Intimate moments with little ones are blasted for everyone to see. Sometimes I worry about those people the most, the kids.
They have no voice in the pictures that are taken of them and shared. Anyone can access pictures to one's children now that they're on the internet. Anyone can easily follow their lives through updates and pictures and videos. Parents have a duty to protect and there is no way to do that when you're putting your kid out there for everyone to see and mock and judge. I can't say that someday I won't do it, because I'm sure I will have proud parenting moments but at some point you are violating your child. Protect their innocence and their anonymity. Keep those sweet moments to yourself, treasure them.

A few months ago, one of my facebook friends had pictures of her daughter stolen off of her page and someone used them to claim as her own kid. It was sickening. Authorities were involved, the page was reported. These things happen and we allow them to.

We allow social media sites to take control of our lives. Some months ago I realized the only reason I take pictures was to put them on facebook. In the past after someone says something funny I would think "That is SO going on facebook/twitter."

It is great for "keeping in touch."
"Oh cool  my friend from high school that I haven't spoken to in years friend requested me!"
Are these the kind of relationships we want in our lives? (Depending on the person) knowing the details? I have a personal rule, where if we didn't talk in high school I am not going to add you. You weren't a friend then, chances are you aren't now, you're just wanting to 'creep.'

This is never going to change. Give most people an inch, and they will take a mile. They will tell you every little thing you never wanted to know. Social networking is a blessing, in some ways. But for me, the cons now outweigh the pros.

I will be removing myself from them. No facebook, no twitter. I will still keep this blog, though. I have done a fair job of  not overloading you with personal details and I intend to keep it that way. I never wanted this to be a "fashion" blog, just a place where friends can come to chat and exchange recipes, find words of wisdom, learn from my mistakes. It is my "loud corner" of the world and I hope you've come to enjoy it.

Please keep in mind that I am not calling out anyone in particular, I am just noting what I see. I am trying to make sense of what compels people to share such things and what drives people to want to know so much that they are connected to their phones and computers when there is a whole world outside waiting to be mapped and discovered. This update isn't meant to offend or upset. It is what it is. It is what you let it be.

I am not going to challenge you to do anything. This is a personal decision that I have arrived to after much consideration.

So, until next time, stay safe, stay positive and Blog on.
xxoo,
V