Did anyone else have a parent that would say things like, "If everyone else jumped off a bridge, would you do it?" Because I did. That was the response if I wanted a cell phone, brand name clothing or anything that everyone else in the class TOTALLY had. I thought I had outgrown this peer pressure, but clearly I have not.
Ready? I have a Twitter account.
Let me explain. I swore I wouldn't delve into yet another form of social media. Facebook and blogging are consuming enough for me. And then Hood to Coast happened. We communicated with our other van through Twitter, learned about course changes and saw funny pictures from teammates. When I say, "we", I meant my other vanmates did and I looked over their shoulder every .12 seconds saying, "Huh? What? Who?" Even our van decorations revolved around Twitter:
Everyone else had their name and hashtag on the van. I had this: "Vanessa- Twitter?"
I think it's fair to say I'm a little out of the loop. I got over it though, by remembering how I read books and play with cats and try to do things that don't revolve around an iPhone. Even by the end of the relay, I was cool with my plan to abstain from the twit-twat that goes on in the virtual world.
Then I got home. And I wanted to keep talking about running with everyone. And Tim might be tired of hearing the same damn stories about people he has never met. (I can't imagine why.) So I peeked at Twitter. Damn! People use Twitter a lot! Even Falon called me out on my lack of updates over the last weekend.
So, fine. Twitter wins. I cave to peer pressure. I'll jump off the bridge, since everyone else seems to be doing it. My first tweet:
Ready? I have a Twitter account.
Let me explain. I swore I wouldn't delve into yet another form of social media. Facebook and blogging are consuming enough for me. And then Hood to Coast happened. We communicated with our other van through Twitter, learned about course changes and saw funny pictures from teammates. When I say, "we", I meant my other vanmates did and I looked over their shoulder every .12 seconds saying, "Huh? What? Who?" Even our van decorations revolved around Twitter:
Everyone else had their name and hashtag on the van. I had this: "Vanessa- Twitter?"
I think it's fair to say I'm a little out of the loop. I got over it though, by remembering how I read books and play with cats and try to do things that don't revolve around an iPhone. Even by the end of the relay, I was cool with my plan to abstain from the twit-twat that goes on in the virtual world.
Then I got home. And I wanted to keep talking about running with everyone. And Tim might be tired of hearing the same damn stories about people he has never met. (I can't imagine why.) So I peeked at Twitter. Damn! People use Twitter a lot! Even Falon called me out on my lack of updates over the last weekend.
So, fine. Twitter wins. I cave to peer pressure. I'll jump off the bridge, since everyone else seems to be doing it. My first tweet:
Let's be honest here, guys. It takes me a long-ass post to get my point across typically, so I doubt that I will be able to produce succinct and hilarious tweets on a regular basis. But, um....like me anyway? Or friend me, or Tweet me, or whatever the hell it's called. Just do it so that my whole stats thing looks less sad. Gracias.
Leave your Twitter handle in the comment, please, so that I can follow you!
Also, don't laugh if it's not called a handle. I think I heard that somewhere?
Also, feel free to leave me any funny people I should be following. Or ridiculous people who will make me feel smart, either way.
I actually HAVE jumped off a bridge because everyone else did. It was awesome.
ReplyDeleteWelcome to Twitter.
^That's crazy, I would NOT jump off a bridge.
ReplyDelete@hmgiraffy
Yes my parents used that saying on me and I use it on my kids too! I love that version of "Call Me Maybe." Very funny!! Welcome to twitter. I am following you. Here is my handle: https://twitter.com/bostboundbrunet
ReplyDeleteNo bridge jumping or Twitter accounts here, sorry. Facebook and the blog are too much for me right now...I could not keep up with Twitter.
ReplyDeleteyay! I just tweeted you. I'm Mandee6run
ReplyDeleteHehehe ur a Twit...get it? Ya I still havent lined up for that bridge yet...we will see
ReplyDeleteWell, after the sparkle skirt pictures we all really lowered our expectations for you holding onto your moral high ground about other things like Twitter and not being a corporate shill.
ReplyDeletewelcome to twitter. i love it.
ReplyDelete@Ash_and_Diz
p.s. do you have instagram? because that's even better. ;)
My twitter account is @MyAthleticLife. When I first signed up a year ago, I didn't get it, but now I use it more than any other form of social media - kind of like being able to drop in and out of a party with your friends whenever the mood strikes.
ReplyDelete...Tim
I'm not worth following on twitter unless you like shit jokes and gore.
ReplyDeleteHaha - I held out for a while, too! But it is nice in certain circumstances!
ReplyDelete@Asutt
Haha, I'm totally a follower as well. I swore for the longest time that I wouldn't sign up for Twitter, it seemed so unnecessary. I kind of like it though! I'll be following you, @highermiles.
ReplyDeleteYAY! It's about time! Funny that the post you wrote before HTC was all about not having Twitter and now you caved! I'm TheAthletarian :)
ReplyDeleteWait until you get hooked on Instagram. Trust me, it'll happen.
It will SOOOO happen!! Instagram is like the new twitter because everyone loves a visual. Plus, you can link it to your twitter account so you'll always go to Instagram first wondering what pictures people post LOL!! I'm JennsAdventures :)
Deletehahaha yes! Welcome to the dark side. I feel good that I might have had the teeniest bit of influence in this decision.
ReplyDeleteI was so against Twitter at first too. But then you get into it and it's sort of addicting.
Haha, I'm the same way. I got a twitter account because all my friends use it. But I don't get twitter...it's confusing.
ReplyDeleteI think CBers have HANDLES and Tweeters have IDs but what do I know?
ReplyDeleteWelcome to the dark side.
@eatrunsail @WeCanBegin2Feed (big surprises there, right?)
Oh yeah. I jumped off that bridge too. I mean, it's what the cool people do, right? @RUNONRIOT
ReplyDeleteWelcome to Twitter! I just followed you. :) I hope you enjoy it and don't regret jumping off the bridge with everyone else.
ReplyDeleteSorry, I don't use the twitter :) But I do have a funny story to tell you about jumping off a bridge. My daughter who was 11 at the time wanted to do something...don't remember what. So I asked her if she would jump off a bridge is everyone else was doing it and she said, "I would ask them if it was AWESOME and if they said yes then YES, I WOULD!!! :D Maybe you had to be there but it was way funny!!
ReplyDeleteI jumped on twitter just as Janae (Hungry Runner Girl) was having her baby and right before all of yall went to HTC, so it was really fun to follow along!
ReplyDeleteI only started twittering because of the blog and that's how I made most of my blog friends....I was still pretty behind the times. Although most of my real life friends still barely know what it is, although all my parents have twitter. Apparently you were already following me! How did you ever find my super secret handle?
ReplyDeleteHa! I've been on twitter for a bit now but gosh, I just got my real twitter lessons this weekend. I learned what a handle is and a hash tag and now I ALMOST feel schooled in it. But still not quite. :)
ReplyDeleteAnd I have to say...I love your writing voice. :) So nice to read your writing...as if I'm having a real conversation with you. Always easy to read from start to finish.
ReplyDeletewell....my parents used it....and guess who is doing it now..yep...not proud of it.
ReplyDelete@carotabi
I asked Dorothy to add you to the HTC list
WELCOME TO TWITTER!! Anyone who doesn't use twitter I feel like has a REAL life, so you are definitely a better person than I am!
ReplyDeleteHow is the mini Lara bar eating going? I probably would have finished them all by now.
Because I use twitter all the time, and seriously could probably use a real life. Yikes!
DeleteWelcome to Twitter! I'm @runjessrun99. I have a couple celeb tweeps I follow that are frequent funny posters but have nothing to do with my interests--Josh Groban and Blake Shelton. (warning: Blake can be a bit vulgar) Also Conan and Stephen Colbert are pretty funny too.
ReplyDeleteI have twitter but I only get on once in a while to see whats up or if someone tweets me...I am not a good twitter friend. However, I am here if you want to come say hi! @travelspot06
ReplyDeleteI have a Twitter account (@RunRoundMyKitch), but am so overwhelmed by it and hardly ever use it….I should try to do more with it…..
ReplyDelete