MySpace Friends

I'm sure you have all heard of the phenomenon that is MySpace.  Originally designed in 2003 to be a site for bands to profile themselves, it rocketed into the biggest social networking site around.  Easy template to use with options to add your own mixed media.  Pictures, blog, comments, interests and friends.  Here in lies the dilemma.  Friends.  Who woulda thunk? 

Now, we all know this is my blog.  My REAL blog.  Fret not, oh Type Pad gods, I am not betraying you.  Not that you care, because I pay for this particular site.  MySpace is free.  It just didn't have the freedom that I wanted to blog and display stuff like this here blog that you are reading does. The only reason I joined MySpace was because my friend's niece, Mia and her friend, Melaina, wanted me to join.  You remember them from way back in one of my first posts. 

Back to the friends on MySpace.  Basically how this works:  a person sees your profile and wants to be able to comment, leave messages, etc.  So, they send a request to be your "friend."  If you approve, then they can comment away!  And, their default picture that they have chosen will appear with their MySpace screen name in your "Friends" section.  Only 8 of them appear on the front page, but you can view all of a person's "friends" if you click into that section.  This is the problem.  Apparently, there is an unwritten rule to try to have as many friends as possible.  I understand Mia and Melaina.  They're in high school.  Of course they have tons of friends and it's a competition and stuff.  I didn't really take note of this until I added a few more.  A friend or 2 from work.  Mia's little sisters.  An old friend in California.  Wow.  I've got 8 friends!  Wheeee!!  I was noticing other people's profiles.  In their 20's and 30's who had hundreds of friends.  What?  Are you serious?  ALL of those people are your friends.  Riiggghhhtttt.  You thought that guy was cute so you added him as a friend.  You're so popular.  Get over yourselves people!  And now a bunch of people I know in real life have started joining.  Through a couple of close friends, some acquaintances have requested me to "add" them as a friend.  Okay, here's my thing.  Sure, it's probably harmless.  But, if I don't have your phone number or even email address, how are we friends?  I actually ran into a dude whom I've known for a couple of years.  We have mutual friends.  We have only hung out if those mutual friends are around.  I don't particularly like him.  He had sent me a request to add him as a friend last week and I denied it.  And then, in person, he starts busting my balls about it.  "When are you going to add me?"  I did a little rope-a-dope to avoid.  That's a boxing term for evading, bitches!  He was seriously upset that I hadn't added him.  I don't know if it lets the person know they were denied, but I honestly don't care.  What is that all about?  Getting upset in real life over not being friends on line.  Wow.  Frickin egos. 

Also, in the beginning, which has only been a few months, I had added a friend of a friend just because I had only a few people.  I had met this girl once.  We spoke for a few minutes and now she lives in California.  I recently deleted her because I thought it was just stupid.  My other friends that visit my profile might ask who she is.  "Uh, some girl I met once for a few minutes."  Nice.  And, to top it off, the friend of the deleted girl reprimands me for it saying that this girl will be pissed.  Puh-leaze.  She had over 300 "friends".  I doubt she even noticed. 

Now, MySpace has added more fuel to the fire.  The 8 friends that appear on the front page can now be picked by you and not just posted in the order they were added.  This has caused a big ruckus!  EVERYONE wants to be on the front page!  Who the fuck cares?  Really.  Is your ego that fragile that you need to be in front?  As a joke, I gave 2 of my friends a hard time when I was removed from their front pages.  They apologized and put me back.  One, actually didn't mean to remove me, but the other one did.  She only put me back out of guilt.  Wow.  Just kidding, kids!  I appreciate the props, but it's all good. 

Get over it "friends".  You don't know each other.  Who cares if you do?  Sheeeesh.  Currently, I have 14 people as friends.  The only 2 I don't know are Mia's little sisters.  But, I'm meeting them on Thanksgiving and besides, I couldn't remove an 11 and 13 yr old as a friend.  That just ain't right!  My goal is to stay under 20.  Although, some more of my real friends are getting turned on to it.  So, maybe 25.  That's it! 

If you feel the need to have a gajillion so called friends, then you need therapy.  You obviously have issues and fear of abandonment.  I love my solitude and I love my friends.  The real ones.  The ones I talk to on the phone, go to the movies with, get drunk with, have sex with, etc.  Well, if I'm having sex with a friend it usually costs money.  And that's illegal.  Rant over.  Get some real friends and have fun!  Or play with your 679 friends on line and die unhappy and alone.  Your choice. 

Comments

[Anne]

Dude, you are so right about the friends thing. I can't believe how many some people have. Just for the record I only have 14 and they are all people I really know. Keep it real people!!!!
Anne:)

[kevin conn]

Dude when are you gonna add me?

[jessica]

And, honest to God, I didn't mean to bump you off the FRONT PAGE. Have you tried moving people? It's weird ... two of the same person show up, everything is a clusterfuck, I can't ever move the right person.

Seriously. I flipped a coin and Jack lost.