11. Do a one week Facebook fast

Times I wanted to check FB the first day of the fast: 7
Times I dreamed about logging in to FB, thinking I had broken the fast: 3
Things I did instead of being on FB: Google+, Twitter, read more news, looked at magazines, slept, emailed people, updated this blog.
Day of the fast that I realized I am addicted to FB: 2
Day I definitively decided to streamline my FB page and account once this fast has ended: 6

Other observations: It is very difficult to avoid FB completely. Websites I visit show which of my friends "like" that page. Links on twitter go to facebook pages (but I avoided those b/c they are easily recognizable by their url). Articles I read show the number of "shares" on FB that article has had.

IT


IS


EVERYWHERE

And I am not ok with that. I think it has done some good and helpful things in its time, but it is SO far from what it originally was, and has pervaded our culture, our social interaction, and yes, even our minds, in such a way that is quite alarming.

So I'm choosing to back way off. And I say this with full realization that some of you are only reading this because you got to my blog from my FB page. But I don't care if that makes this hypocritical. These times they are a changin' and I'm going to respond to that by backing off of FB.

But not backing off of Twitter or Google+ so feel free to find me there. And no, I'm not removing the button below that allows you to share this on FB. Don't try to understand my decisions......

91. Learn how to cook artichokes

So this is not actually at all how I cooked artichokes tonight, but it's the next method I want to try. I boiled them for about 25 minutes in a lot more than 2 inches of salt water, then used garlic butter for dipping.

But this way sounds tasty, too. And I'm all about tasty. And these 30 second food/recipe videos from yummeo.


Such a pretty food.

55. Submit c/o 2001 contact info to WPS for alumni purposes

You know what happens when your friendmates* are willing to help you plan your high school reunion? They end up taking care of one of your 101 list items without even knowing it.

Excellent.



*for definition of this term, see the previous post

9. Plan and attend my 10th high school reunion

I pity all of you that did not graduate high school with me because I graduated with the best class of folks ever. I had my suspicions that this was true, but through this whole reunion process, it was confirmed.

These people hold a very dear place in my heart, and they always will. I felt like a proud parent (well, I guess proud class president would be more accurate) when, in the course of talking with various folks at our reunion this past weekend and catching up on life, it suddenly hit me how well they were doing. I always knew these kids were smart and were 'goin places' in life, but goodness, I was really humbled by this collection of Westminster alums. I was in the company of great minds, driven personalities, determined leaders, and kind hearts. It's so exciting and such a huge blessing to see everyone healthy, successful, and able to come together after a decade of life to spend time with one another.

Ok, ok I'm gushing, I admit it. But when you start a party at 5pm and at 11:30pm a large majority of folks are still talking and laughing together, I'd say the love might be somewhat mutual. Southern manners would've only carried that party til about 8. 11:30=true love. And that is coming from me - the one who moaned and groaned about having to plan a reunion and this time last year was not at all enthused. I am a class reunion convert.

Three of my classmates were a HUGE help in pulling this party off, and time after time during this planning process the kindness and enthusiasm of these friends and our classmates really impressed me. Which got me thinking. Can we come up with a new term for these old friends who were classmates and will continue to care about each others' lives? Friendmates? Clands? I'll keep tinkering....

So without further delay, you need to see this classy bunch. 18 of the 40 of us friendmates made it to the reunion, and I wish terribly that others in our class could have been there to share in the fun.

WPS Class of 2001 - I love ya!