The Power of Social Networking/Cyber-stalking

there has been some major political upheaval in the middle east thanks to social networks. i could write more about that but i'll leave it to more reputable sources such as CNN and the AP to do that.

here's the flip side to it. there's a guy who i've been talking to over the phone for months because of work. one day he sends me an email and i learned what his last name was. using a few clues i've picked up i was able to locate him online. i can't stress the importance of strict privacy settings people. one day he mentions how he just bought lady gaga's cd and i tell him i was surprised since he's a fan of her facebook page. cue in awkward pause. so i confess i looked him up online. he gasps and says he can't believe i would cyberstalk him. we agree to be facebook friends. we're totally not each other types so there's no need to guess how long it'll take me to become smitten with him. also i think he's been avoiding my calls ever since.

another instance of social networking's dangers? months ago my family went to dinner with friends and their kids. one of the parents decided i would be a good match for her nephew. if i had nickel for every time a parent felt i was good for their family member i'd be rich, still single yes but rich. now there's a dinner planned for me to meet him. the parents and a few other people will be there because my favorite thing is to meet a guy with an audience. my aunt gives me the guy's name to see if i know him because the asian christian community in sf is hecka tiny. my sister pulls the name on a social network site and shows me pictures of the guy even though i asked her not too. why wouldn't i want to know what he looks like? because i'm vain.

i wish i could say looks don't matter but they do and they shouldn't considering i'm not hot and i don't exactly have a line of suitors lining up for me outside my door. years from now physical appearances will change and we'll all end up looking like prunes so i should look at what's on the inside but it's hard. the outside is right there. he's probably found me online by now and is thinking the exact same thing. if not, then he may be too decent of a person for me.

as wonderful as social networking can be it's not without its perils. oh well, time to earn my flair credits for the day.