Totally emo selfie
Again, I’ve been insanely busy and away from the blog. See, I’m spreading myself too thin, I think, not just in the real world but in the world of virtual society.
I have this blog that I try to keep updated, and I also love Twitter. I’m much more into Twitter (@annleary) than I am Facebook, but of course I am on Facebook (like me! I beg you) many times a day. Then there are the newspapers I read on line, friends’ blogs, the links to interesting articles I have found on my Twitter and Facebook feeds, the cute photos of pets and kids to admire and comment on, the sad news about which condolences must be carefully thought out and worded, etc, etc.
Now I’m told by my friend Susanna that I must join Pinterest. I had put off joining Pinterest because a) one must be invited, so I thought it very obnoxious and elitist and b) it’s one more place that I must keep updated.
I’m in the beginning stages of writing a new novel and I’m also collaborating on a screenplay with a friend. The screenplay is fun because it’s a comedy, or at least it’s meant to be. We laugh really hard while writing it, but we worry that nobody else will see the humor. This worry is unfortunately well-founded, as we recently tried telling another friend about it. It was hard to describe the screenplay because whenever we began, we both nearly collapsed from lack of oxygen (it’s hard to breathe when you’re hysterical) and barely managed not to wet our pants as we spat out the words between our honking, snorting guffaws. The friend, who normally has a great sense of humor, stood there, stone-faced. When we were done, he said, “Maybe you’re not explaining it right.”
And it’s always hard starting a new book. So the idea of organizing a Pinterest page is a little daunting.
Are any of you on Pinterest? Do you like it? I have a “pin name” which is Learyness. Ann Leary, aleary, etc were all taken. Don’t bother checking it out yet. I haven’t pinned anything yet. But if you are on Pinterest and would like to share your pin name here, we’ll check out your board (I hope I’m using the correct terms).
On my personal Facebook page, I have recently changed my profile picture. It used to be the one on the top of this post, but I switched it after my daughter sent my a text that read: “Mom, why is your pic so emo/a selfie?” I had to ask the good people of Twitter what the text meant and I received a translation. Dev wanted to know why I looked all dramatic and emotional (totally emo) in the photo, and why I posted a photo I took of myself (a selfie). I told her that I took the photo to look at the roots of my new hair color and liked it. She said I should be very embarrased. Selfies are for losers. I asked her who takes her FB profile pics. She said that her friends take pictures of her. “Just post a photo one of your friends took,” she said. Then I realized my friends don’t take pictures of me. Except for my friend Bernie, who takes pictures of everybody. And they’re not always the most flattering.
But the whole “selfie” thing made me think about the fact that all these internet platforms – blogs, Facebook pages, Twitter accounts, Pinterest boards – are big fat “selfies.” I think it’s too much. Yet, I’m about to start setting up my Pinterest board.
In the meantime, how about a selfie contest. Post your favorite “selfie” on my FB page and we can vote on the most emo, funniest, etc. You can do selfies of your pets if you’re shy.
Also, feel free to post links to your blogs, FB pages, Twitter accounts, etc. in the comments here. It’s Selfie Day!
Happy “Selfie” day to all. Ann, I really like that pic of you, interesting, you have facial qualities that look good with any expression.
I agree all too much. I’ve looked over Pinterest and just don’t get the idea of it. Do you just post pics of things you see and like anywhere on the internet? Don’t you have to give credits for each pic because of copyright infringement, etc?
http://Www.punterest.com/samylaine
http://www.pinterest.com/samylaine
Oops
I feel like one of the un-cool kids at school; I don’t have a blog, I don’t have a Twitter account, and I’m not on Facebook (well, actually, I do have an account, but I deactivated it about a week after creating it). (sigh)
Technically speaking, if a “selfie” is a photo that you take of yourself, shouldn’t your pets be taking their own pictures for this contest?
By the way, nice selfie, Ann. It’s uber emo.
Alan, I do use LinkedIn because I am in sales, but I too have no facebook or twitter accounts, so you are not alone. Ann, I really like the picture of you, your lips look fab. I wish I had those lips. I hope the blog does not get lost in the shuffle of all your virtual postings, I so enjoy reading everyone’s posts. Best of luck with your new novel, can’t wait to hear more about it.
Alan,
You and I are in the same club…I don’t have a blog, or a twitter account or even a Facebook page – I simply have no interest!! I guess I don’t want to be that connected – When the Kindles came out, I thought it was so cool and of course the instant gratification of getting books in warped time speed was very appealing. But as time went on, I didn’t enjoy reading on the Kindle – I liked the feel of a book in my hands – So I gave my Kindle away and of course got the iPad which I love because it isn’t just a reader. I do take the iPad on vacations because it’s easier than lugging a bunch of books, but I don’t use it on a daily basis, because I have my MacBook Pro……
So it appears that I have lots of “toys” that are designed to keep you in touch and I’m not interested – much – I am a lurker most of the time and I love Ann’s blog of course, but I read many others too and enjoy them. Ali Wentworth on Twitter is hysterical.
BTW Ann, that pic of you is fantastic!!
I love interest. It is great for organizing your thoughts. I just don’t get twitter uless you are famous or obsessed with the famous. I only use it to get updates from my daughter’s sports team. How does the averge person benefit from twitter?
I absolutely love Pintrest. I don’t personally upload photos myself but I love to use it for inspiration and repin pics on projects I want to take on. Found some great things for redecorating my home, interesting recipes and some fun DIY projects. Plus I pin pictures i just like. I also have a great fondness for jewelry (my friends oddly call it an addiction). There are some amazing rings, earrings for a girl view and dream!
Give it a whirl Ann, it’s fun!
Ann, I would give you my pinterest name but I can’t for the life of me remember it! (Such is the life on the other side of 50!) I am hot and cold when it comes to Pinterest, mostly play with it when I’m bored. The thing is there are just so many other things I like to do that are not connected to a computer that lately I have been trying to wean myself off the social sites…although I will (perhaps) post a selfie to your Facebook page, after I figure out how to do it!
I actually use pinterest a lot. Mostly because I have spent my life believing myself when I say things like “I’ll remember what blog I saw that on” or “I’ll remember whose phone number I just wrote on a wet match book. I don’t need to write their name down.” And then I don’t and I end up feeling like a dumbass.
And in the spirit of Selfies, my blog is http://www.yointhehouse.blogspot.com and my other blog (about embarrassing music) is http://www.blessmescottmunieforihavesinned.blogspot.com
I may be the ultimate “selfie,” as I invited myself to Pinterest. Then I was put on a wait list. Then I was activated. Then I was OVERWHELMED! I’m finally trying to create my own boards, but I’m not very creative, so my only board at the moment consists of some actors I find hot. Sadly, by the looks of them, I appear to be a cougar. Oh well, in the spirit of the selfie…I’m on Twitter (@evans_catherine) and Facebook and Pinterest (under Catherine Evans). I try hard to be clever, but it’s exhausting! I don’t know how Ann does it so consistantly.
Catherine, you are way ahead of me!I don’t tweet, I don’t blog (a couple of my kids do), and so far the allure of Pinterest has escaped me.Okay, I haven’t been invited, all right? I am on FB, but I don’t update my status very often.I guess I find it hard to believe that everyone I know on FB is interested in the tiniest detail of my life – some days I’m not even interested!I’m very proud of the fact that I text! However, my phone isn’t always in the immediate vicinity, so often I am reading a text at 6:45 a.m. that was sent at 8 the night before, eg.:”Leave the light on, Mom, I’m staying over tonight.” Whoops, sorry, Dave!
Mary Beth, if it makes you feel better I don’t know how to text and my cell phone is practically a brick from 1989.
I’ll do you one better, Catherine. I don’t even have a cell phone. (I rarely go anywhere and very few people telephone me, so why would I want to pay to know how boring I am?….)
Hey Betsy, I’m so impressed that you don’t have a cell phone. I literally only have one for potential 911 purposes. I hate talking on the phone!
Catherine, I meant to post my response to your comment here, but mistakenly created my own separate post at #13. I don’t post often enough to have the hang of the new system. (See what I mean about my being a Luddite???)
I agree with Devin about the emo selfie photo. It looks like you’re trying too hard. Have Bernie take a nice photo of you.
Instead of posting selfie photos, how about giving us some photos or video of the “Fabulous Four.” I miss seeing them and also that Marvelous Mark!
Linda S.
I’m addicted to Pinterest! Yes, I do have a Denis board. Please don’t sue me. I also have boards with cute animals, cartoons, shoes, jewelry, tutorials…okay, it’s very easy to get lost on my page, but it’s worth it!
If you’re not scared off, you can follow me here: http://www.pinterest.com/callmecrash
I actually like the “selfie” picture…even when emo, you’re still beautiful. I can see that photo being used in an art class.
JRT
Dear Ann,
All your pics and blogs are great. You are so photogenic. You should model!!
TMC
I agree about talking on the telephone, Catherine. Speaking face-to-face is so much better. Multi-tasking is not my forte. Ann and most of the others on this blog are quite talented at doing more than one thing at a time, not to mention filling their days with interesting activities. I’m not exactly a Luddite…..maybe I’m a luddite (with a small “l”).
Hi there,
Yes, it’s quite a problem finding time for the real world, and a pesky, demanding family, when I have to Pin and Facebook, check Tumblr and Twitter (@cindyfried). Now an evil friend has introduced me to Draw Something and Words With Friends, and I’ve turned into one of those loathsome people who have an iPhone permanently glued to their hand.
Oh, I forgot, I listen to audio books, plus podcasts at night when I can’t sleep (hello, Hash Hags!). It’s so handy to tell oneself ‘I’m too busy to meet this work deadline’, when really….it’d be no prob if I lobbed my phone in a cupboard and forgot about it for a day. But we all know that’s not happening.
I am sooooooo out of the loop. I didn’t even know Pinterest existed. (This will NOT shock my family.) I really don’t use my cell phone all that much, so the same goes for texting. I do have a facebook account….but not twitter. Now I must ponder….Am I turning into an old lady before my time? Am I intimidated by technology? Am I too lazy to learn new things? All of the above?
Ann, that is a great picture of you!!!!
I was invited to pin interest but still have not visited as yet again it is something i do not understand. I LOVE your selfi pic, FABU hair!!! Got it, Flaunt it!
Hey, Ann,
I just joined Pinterest. Beware. It’s way too fun but you will lose hours, days, of your life to it. http://pinterest.com/sarahalbeebooks/
I think your selfie is a lovely picture.
xx
Sarah
your selfie may be my fav pic of you! I’m new to Pinterest also, but try to stay away b/c I spend too much time on the computer & I’m so visual, I know I would spend countless hours there looking around. I don’t really understand it yet either.
Oops, I just found this post – is it too late to respond now that Selfie Day seems to have passed? I love all of these comments & “behind the scenes” info, the links to the other readers’ blogs & websites, the photos! It makes this warm & lovely community even more Wicked Good than it already is (if that’s even possible).
I’ll take the chance I’m still allowed to participate in the Selfie Day game:
I have a blog about life with MS, a mobility assistance dog & a recumbent trike (wherein there are many mentions of Leary Firefighters Foundation & my involvement with Team LFF in the New York City Marathon). Somehow my involvements with animal rescue/fostering also show up quite frequently in these posts.
http://www.wonkybent.wordpress.com
i have another blog that I started for my poetry-in-the-schools project back in Florida, which has since morphed into a place to hold my more literary-leaning endeavors & involvements. I’m hoping to soon resurrect a TX-based version of that volunteer teaching ( I miss it like crazy).
http://www.deniselanier.wordpress.com
I’m on Twitter as TXmoonspeak & Facebook as Denise Sebesta Lanier. I have Pinterest but haven’t set it up properly yet. Which I suppose makes me an unpinned Pinterest, but that’s surely better than an unHinged Pinterest, right?
I love your selfie, Ann. I always find self portraits fascinating. Unlike photos others take of us, we are the ones who make the decision of “Yes, that’s me” or “No, that’s not me.” A self portrait is an exercising of communicating to ourself & to others, in a creative, visual way, the story of who we are. Those stories, in contrast to their brief, snapshot nature, always speak volumes. Selfies are a kind of visual poetry, to my way of thinking. And if you hang around here very much, you know I do adore poetry.
Thanks for this really fun idea of Selfie Day, Ann!