I signed up for Facebook - oops.

Facebook and Twitter are the newest, hottest things in my industry. EVERY large company is trying to figure how they should be integrated into these social networking platforms. At my work, we had a couple ideas on how to utilize this, and to explore/demonstrate these ideas, I had to sign up for an account. I didn't really think much of it at the time - just another work project. Critical mistake, however- I use my actual data. (Name, schools, etc.)

Now, suddenly, I have started getting loads of friend requests. Several from people I don't know (weirdos), but mostly from people I went to high school and college with. Soooo, what I am I supposed to do? I feel totally sucked in. I feel like I can't ignore these friendship requests from people I used to know... they might take it personally and think I am mean. But, I don't really have much desire to get involved in this right now either - I was just doing it for work. So what do I do? I decide I have to accept these friendship requests. So, I go in and accept these requests and think my obligation of friendship to past acquintances is complete - You're my friend - let's call it good.

Not the end of the story, however. Apparently, when you log into your account, it tells people who are in your network that you are logged in. How did I learn about this feature? Well, because I was in a meeting, projecting my computer screen for about 8 people to see, demonstrating some ideas for integration with social networking. I sign into my Facebook account to demonstrate what I am talking about, and suddenly, I get an Instant Message (through Facebook) saying, "Long time, no talk. How's life?" from someone I haven't seen since high school. I quickly close the IM, realizing this poor girl is going to think I am incredibly rude for ignoring her, but I am at work AND in a meeting and really don't have much choice. I resume my demonstration, and suddenly, "Amy Guymon! You got married? I didn't think that was ever going to happen!" pops up on my screen. Same thing- poor guy is going to think I am the devil, but I don't have much of a choice. And I think- surely that has got to be it... surely there aren't THAT many people just hanging out on Facebook, waiting for poor unsuspecting suckers to log in. Well, about 3 minutes later, up comes, "Hey!!! It's the human alphabet! How's it going?"

At that point, I am so red and embarrassed, and everyone else is laughing so hard and having WAAAY too much fun speculating about what the heck that message means - that I can't take it anymore. I just quickly sign out, shut down my browser, log off the internet, and hope that whatever peephole Facebook has opened letting these people know I am online has been closed. And now, I refuse to go back. I am terrified now to sign in to Facebook - scared that there are just hoards of people waiting to pounce as soon as I log in. So, if you want to be my Facebook friend - I am sorry. I refuse to sign in to accept your friendship. I am scared of the consequences.