I get to see Anne Lamott tonight.
I've been having hypothetical conversations with her all day.

This week in chapel they've been representing different groups within the student body. Monday was the international students, Friday is the athletes, and today was the SGA chapel. For those who don't know, SGA is the student government. We complain to them and they complain to the higher-ups. That's how stuff gets done. Some vice president of something-or-other got up and told us a story to prove that SGA was doing their job. Apparently there were some internet problems on campus--something about not having enough bandwidth. (I had no idea what that meant so I looked it up on dictionary.com and found out.) The students complained to SGA, SGA talked to the vice president of something-or-other, and low and behold we got more bandwidth. He also told us during chapel that while they were in there fixing it all, they took a look at where all the bandwidth was going. Get this.
80% was going to Facebook and Xanga. 80%!
Problem: People haven't been able to do their online assignments because students have been checking xanga and facebook so much!
Attempt at solution: The vice president dude asked everyone to cut back a little.
Response of the girl sitting in front of me: "What would I do with my life?!"

The sad thing is, I think she's right. She really wouldn't do anything with her life...at least not for a while. And she's not the only one. Don't get me wrong, I'm guilty of similar behavior. I don't xanga or facebook, but I blog and email more than should. (I mean I don't blog...but I read others.) Anyway, I haven't really come to any conclusions.
It's funny, but it's sad.
I'm convicted by it all, but...I'm blogging.
I'm all for community and networking, but at what point is it just superficial and superfluous?

Here's my thought/question:
Sometimes I feel spread too thin. I mean, I have friends or acquaintances in a lot of different places all over the world. Capernwray, John Brown, Pine Cove, home. Back before internet, everyone was responsible for ministering to the people in their geographical area. Now, to keep relationships open, honest, and edifying I would have to go to coffee with people here, return 4-5 emails with long and deep responses, call people...I don't have time. I don't have the energy. I just can't to all of that. Facebook and MySpace are all about getting more friends. Is more better? No. But the answer isn't avoiding it altogether, is it? There are a lot of advantages.
Is there a need to balance?
Is there a way to balance?
Any other thoughts on the whole internet community thing welcome.

My life pro/con list:

Pro:
Not every girl gets to hear her boyfriend say, "One of the prostitutes recognized me last night." (NOTE: He's a missionary in New Zealand right now and gets to be part of a team that ministers to prostitutes. So it's a good thing...but out of context it's awkward and hilarious).

Con:
Yesterday at work a 4th grade boy rudely asked me who I was and then said, "You kinda look like a boy." And I'm just emotional enough to let it bother me.