The Fibrochondriac

Don’t get me wrong, I like face time. Especially with my husband (goes without saying) and kids. But for the rest of the world, for me, talking online is the way to go. Visiting via Email, Twitter, Facebook, ChronicBabe, Patients Like Me and even Fabulously40 (not necessarily chronic illness related, but I fit the demographic) is socializing at it’s best for me .

Five Reasons I Love Chatting Online:

1. I can actually say what I want to say, how I want to say it. I can type it out and if it doesn’t make sense I can fix it. You don’t get that opportunity when talking. That’s not to say that I haven’t stuck my foot in my mouth using both mediums… but I get to interact with people on a level that I just couldn’t face-to-face.

2. I can chat with whoever I want, whenever I want. I have friends in England, both coasts and some I have no idea where they live because they safeguard their privacy which is a smart thing to do (Kids, do as I say, not as I do). If my insomnia kicks in at 2am I can kickstart my computer and work on a blog, add to a discussion, check out a chat room…whatever. Someone somewhere is always online and if not…well they’ll check they’re email in the morning instead of getting a 2am phone call. Works out for both parties. And if the fibro is doing it’s thing and I can’t think or type, well…my online friends get it. ‘Nuf reason right there, if you ask me!

3. I do not own, nor want, a webcam. Therefore, I can wear whatever I darn well please to whatever online party that I happen to be attending. (Ratty gray bathrobe? Naw, I’m a fashionista in my own little world!)

4. In a word, variety. I have a whole lotta books, I think I mentioned that in a previous post. But the stuff I can find online…anything and everything is out there. And I suppose if I had a Mac I could go everywhere and not worry about viruses and that kind of stuff…but you have to take risks sometimes. If I went out to visit people I’d risk car accidents, verbal accidents and germs on doorknobs. So I chose my threats and deal with them accordingly. And as I mentioned before, I get to visit with all kinds of people from all over the place. Pretty darn cool.

5. And my most reasonable reason…it doesn’t cost me anything. Okay, electricity usage is minimal. Already bought the computer and the Internet came with the cable package. No cover charge, no overpriced drinks (brought my own, thanks!) no worrying if they have gluten-free food on the menu, no dogs biting me (true story!)…I like it.

My Contest Winners!

That said, I love comments on my blog. Who doesn’t? So I did a little impromptu contest to break the ice on this new domain because it was kinda quiet around here. My daughter Teresa, who plastered comments all over the place (such a great kid!), does not get to enter the contest because I changed the rules after I started the game (I know, rotten mom) to disqualify family members.

So today is the big day and we have a tie. So Melissa (who is getting ready for her wedding day after Christmas…wild woman!) and Rosa (who in another world would be my twin) are my winners. Thank you ladies, you made my day!

If either one of you would like either of the books I’m offering (”From Fatigued to Fantastic”…which we’ve already kind of trashed and “The Promise of Low-Dose Naltrexone” which I’m finding may be useful in the same way that the Guaifenesin Protocol is…hopefully even more effective) shoot me an email at fibrochondriac (at) yahoo (dot) com, or post a comment and we’ll work it out. Either way, thank you so much for your comments, it was fun!