So yeah, Facebook.

I've been on facebook for a couple of months now, and its crazy how many people from previous lives can flick right back into the forefront of your mind in an instant. Its like everyone I've ever met is there, and people who I haven't talked to in years can suddenly announce something to their closest friends, and I get to participate in the news as if I was still close to them.

It provides a way for you to keep in touch with old friends, without even reaching out to contact them. You just log in, and are instantly presented with a voyeristic view into hundreds of peoples lives. Fresh pictures, status messages, notes. For all I know, people I knew in Grade 2 are looking through my pictures, and know that I'm working most of this weekend, or am looking forward to a trip that is upcoming.

Its scary really, because sometimes you find yourself just clicking. Clicking a piece of news, which leads to a picture of a friend. Then you browse an album, then you see a picture of another friend you know, whose with someone whose not on your friends list, then you add them, then follow more links. Next thing, you've been on there an hour, and you've got much more important things to do !

But the instantaneous nature of the information is also a big part of the draw. I found out last week that my cousin got engaged. Did I find out from him? nope. My parents ? A proud Aunt or Uncle ? Nope. Facebook told me.

I've always had a big problem keeping in touch with people. I've had friends who were extremly close to me move away, and I never bother to call them. I mean ever. I'll go two or three years without talking to them. When one of my close friends goes away on a work term, I'll talk to them every day for weeks, then they move. I won't call, E-mail or IM them for 4 months. But the day they get home I am back on the line, excited for them to be here. My best friend moved to Ottawa 8 months ago, and we've spoken on the phone twice. He called me both times.

This is something I don't understand. I don't comprehend why I don't feel the need to pick up the phone to reach out to people. I just don't. I don't even call/see my mother, and she lives about 6 blocks from me.

But facebook. Man, Facebook. It brings information to you, you don't need to go looking, poking around. Its not gonna help people like me who don't deal well with distance. Its kinda depressing really.