Saturday, September 19, 2009

Romancing the "Bird"....
















Alice couldn't make her regularly scheduled trip to the Island this go round so when Tracy issued a "island call", asking if anyone would like a little mini vacation I decided a day away from it all was just what the doctor ordered. So I packed up my Tori and rounded up three of the menz and here we are!

We left the vamps and my one demon behind this time because well to be honest they are kind of high maintenance (worth it though). The other guys were busy, but Mitch (a.k.a. Gerard) and Nicholai (a.k.a. Clive) were available on short notice. And, Johnny (a.k.a. Johnny Depp)? Well, I borrowed him from Ms.M. He is here for the rum, and, damn I just like looking at him... ;)

Okay, we are ready to partaay





'Nicholai', Johnny and I are lounging in beach chairs enjoying a couple of drinks with those little umbrellas in them, and as we watch Mitch surf, we got to talking about ' flipping.. ooops, I mean, romancing the bird', namely "Twitter". All the guys and just about everyone else I'm acquainted with on-line is "tweeting".

Me? I'm a complete, novice as in NEWBIE with respect to "The Bird", I'm probably the last person who should be posting about this social networking phenomenon. However, because of my newness I'm still in the "romance" stage I tend to do a lot of 'lurking', and am fascinated by it all, just as I was when first introduced to blogging .

Above right is pictured the Twitter Mascot, I tried to find out if this little blue guy had a name, but it doesn't seem so. Therefore one can assume he is called "Twitter"... lol (I think he is damn cute, by the way!)

So, in an effort to become more educated with respect to Twitter I consulted our friendly neighbourhood Wikipedia. (I mean where else would you go right?)

This is Wikipedia's definition of Twitter:

“Twitter is a free social networking and micro-blogging service that enables its users to send and read messages known as tweets. Tweets are text-based posts of up to 140 characters displayed on the author's profile page and delivered to the author's subscribers who are known as followers. Senders can restrict delivery to those in their circle of friends or, by default, allow open access. Users can send and receive tweets via the Twitter website, Short Message Service (SMS) or external applications. While the service costs nothing to use, accessing it through SMS may incur phone service provider fees.”

Just as a point of interest Twitter was created in 2006 by Jack Dorsey, a software architectural genius and businessperson.

What does this mean? Well, as near as I can tell, it is like a rapid form of instant messaging that has caught on and spread in popularity worldwide like wildfire. At any time of the day or night you can find folks logged on to Twitter, tweeting at light speed about anything and everything you can possibly think of. How does this relate to reading romance and blogging? Again, as near as I can tell a vast number of authors, bloggers and readers in general have joined Twitter and are Tweeting about books, blog posts and contests, and life.

However, like anything else there is a learning curve. There is a whole vernacular associated with Twitter that I haven't mastered yet, not to mention the various tools folks use to re-tweet (spreading news to all your followers), #FF (whatever that is), and so on and so on. So I was advised to download "Tweetdeck", because re-tweeting was much easier to do when you used that tool.

I tried to download "Tweetdeck", (lol - sorry I start laughing every time I type that) however my old dinosaur computer booted me off that one 3 times!

It was at this point I flipped "Tweetdeck", the "Bird"...

However, during my "lurking a.k.a. romance", I've also noticed folks "Tweeting", from Twirl, web, and any number of other formats. You can also get messages sent to your phone - that however is going to cost $ for text messaging.

The one thing I have noticed is that folks are commenting on blog posts less. And, blogs are shutting down. Is this because more bloggers are "Tweeting", in essence interacting socially on Twitter?

I'm also wondering if Twitter will make blogging obsolete at some point? I mean it is described as a "micro-blogging service", you can even download pictures on to it with something called "Twitpic"... lol (Almost sounds profane doesn't it?) Many of the girls have their Twitter Profile pages decorated like blogs!!

Just out of curiosity do you "Twitter"??

So, if anyone has some words of wisdom for a newbie to "Twitter", I'm all ears. In the meantime, I think I'll have to keep "romancing the bird"... lol

Tori, myself and the menz are hosting a little luau here on the island tonight, and there will be lots to drink and eat - music, and who knows what else... **waggles brows**... ;)

In the meantime, I'm admiring the "sights" while reading a novel... This IS the life. ;)

Thanks so much and I hope everyone enjoys a great weekend.


If you would like to vote for one of the choices in the Week #3 kissing scene contest at my blog - closetwriter - you can view the post here.

19 comments:

KT Grant said...

Twitter has become such an addiction to me! I tried tweetdeck, but didn't like it, so I tweet the old fashioned way.

Mary G said...

Hi Lea
Awesome post. I don't twitter so I don't know what I'm missing but I hope it doesn't replace blogs totally. Maybe it's the convenience of short posts that makes the difference.

Lea said...

Hi KB!

Thanks for your comment! Yeah I'm going to be "tweeting / lurking", the old fashioned way for some time to come too I think. lol

I still haven't got the hang of it yet but am trying in little visits. I'm afraid of getting addicted!!! lol

Good to know a veteran user doesn't require "tweetdeck".

Thanks again!

L

Hey Mary!

It will be interesting to see what the future brings. Twitter is sure over the top popular right now. And man it's like a instant rapid fire form of Morris Code! lol

Thanks for your comment Mary!

L

Unknown said...

Hi Lea *clearing throat* menz!

Can I sit next to Gerard? *fainting*

I've tried to download tweetdeck, but couldn't get it, so I'm still tweeting the old fashion way, but if you find something the works well and you like, let me know, I'd like to try something new.

Dottie :)

Devyn Quinn said...

Hi, Lea! :) I try to tweet, but I often forget because I get tied up doing other stuff (like checking your blog, LOL!)

Lea said...

LOL Dottie!

I'll be sure to let you know if I ever figure out this "tweetdeck", thing.. The net she is a changing eh?

I know, Clive... "sigh""

;)
Thank you!
L

Hi Devyn!

Thanks for your comment... LOL you are too funny. Not much going on at my blog these days. Been at work in the real world too much!!

I hope all is well with you. Yeah "Tweeting"! What an adjustment.

I hope all is well.
L

Renee said...

For some reason, Twitter hasn't really tempted me. I think it's because I'm too long winded to restrain myself to 140 characters. lol

Seriously, though, while I sometimes feel like I'm missing the Twitter party, I already spend far too much time online, and am afraid of another thing which will suck my time. (Which is also why I hardly ever do anything with my Facebook.) :-P

Thanks for the pretty pics. Especially of Clive Owen!

Kris said...

I don't twitter because I need another time waster like I need another hole in my head. LOL.

You can find some of the twitter threads online, which sometimes make for interesting, but otherwise.... *scrunches nose* nup, it's not for me.

Tracy said...

I just can't do it. I have to admit that I sometimes wonder if I would love it as much as everyone else but I can't get sucked in. Like I don't have enough on my plate? lol I'm glad you all like it. Like it enough for me too. :)

Shannon said...

Facebook is enough of a time suck for me. I just can't bring myself to tweet. I think a big part of the decision also stems from the fact that I am a teacher. I'm in front og kids all day. By the time I would sit down to read all the tweets, there would be so many I would get overwhelmed. Eek!

Facebook. Blogs. I happy with those :)

Mandi said...

Oh goodness..I am so addicted to Twitter it is scary. I am a Seesmic girl..Tweetdeck and I don't get along.

But seriously, there is an entire community out there on Twitter and it is so much fun. It really is a great networking tool.

SusiSunshine said...

Hi Lea.
I'm so addicted to twitter and can't get enough of it. I'm a total tweetdeck girl. I so love these columns. The community is great. Much faster to discuss books and all the other things in life.
I hope it'll not replace blogs cuz I really love to go to the blogs, look at their sites and comment. Would be a real shame. Nice post you wrote here. Have a nice sunday.

Lea said...

Hi Renee!

I hear you, that is why I have avoided Twitter for so long. NO time. However, it does seem to be much quicker than blog hopping which I'm finding to be really time consuming and am having to cut back significantly for survival!! lol

Thanks for your comment!

I know, Clive - *sigh*

L

Hey Kris:

I think it is just like anything else, you have to find what you are comfortable with and like I said, I'm still in the "romance" stage with Twitter, as in it is all "shiny and new".

I have avoided it like the plague but in looking for quicker ways to communicate with folks it does seem like a viable option but certainly not for everyone. ;)

Thanks for your comment Kris!

L

I hear you Tracy! I wonder how you keep up with everything you do and this is why I too avoided Twitter, (as I said above).

I'm still really feeling my way though so we'll see.. ;)

Thanks Tracy!
L

Hi Shannon!!

Thanks for your comment. Facebook, wow, it is SO popular too. I have an account but haven't been there in months. lol Again, it's a time issue. But again, yes ma'am, I think it is all what you can fit in with your life.

L

Hey Mandi!

Man I'm in awe of your rapid fire responses on Twitter every day. "Seesmic", yep, I've seen that one too maybe I'll see if my dinosaur will like that one better. lol

Thank you for your comment!

L

Hi Susi:

Yes it was you who told me about Tweetdeck, but as I said I think it is the age of my computer, because it sure doesn't like it. But fortunately I can still visit Twitter when I'm able.

It will be interesting to see how the blog world evolves coupled with "Twitter".

Thank You! And, you have a great Sunday too. ;)

L

VampFanGirl said...

I know nothing of Twitter and I'm not sure that I'll ever want to be enlightened of it. But my response is totally uneducated. In my twenty-seven years, I find myself to be more like my grandparents when it comes to technology and its impossibly fast movement. I think I'll rebel until it's absolutely necessary that I conform.

;) VFG

Lea said...

Hey VFG!!

LOL, Great comment.. However I don't think you have to conform.

I'm just looking for time saving measures and Twitter seemed a viable alternative to blog hopping. However, as I noted in the post there is a learning curve and I haven't had time to "learn" it yet... lol

Besides which, maybe "Twitter", is just a fad that will come and go, you never know. So, maybe it is better to wait it out!

Have a good week and thanks for your comment.

L

Cecile Smutty Hussy said...

Hey Lea!
I am not a Twitter... but I loved your post. You are right, some of those words sound like I would be reading some "dirty" words, lmao!!! Tweetdeck... hummm....
I read that many people are twitting and I wonder sometimes what I am missing out on... but then I look at my blog and I love my baby. But you are right, I do find less comments at my place and others... I am littler scare to make the jump, because like you stated... I don't need another thing to come in between me and my reading time.
So, I may find myself sitting down with that blue bird to have a conversation about what he can do for me, lmao!!! I just hope that he does not replace what we have all come to love... our homes of blogs!!
And PS.... I love Mitch... oh baby!!!!
I hope you had a great weekend and are having a wonderful Monday!

Erotic Horizon said...

Other than my RSS feed - I don't tweet, but it has given my hours of laughter at some the tripe that people tweet about...

Glad you and Tori had a great time here...

you take care of my girl.. them Island boys are crazy....no woman is safe around them..

E.H>

Lea said...

Hi Cecile!

Thank you for your comment. :) If you haven't checked Twitter out yet, be advised it is a little mind boggling at first. Like I said folks send these little messages like wild fire and it's hard to figure out what is going on sometimes. lol

So, "romancing" is good for me right now. :)

I hope you are having a good start to your week.

L

Hey EH!

How are you..

Interesting to hear about the tripe?? lol I'll have to watch out for some of that.

Tori and I are home now and I am back at work. *sigh* However, next week I actually have a week off - I've forgotten what that is like.

However, my little island break was vera nice.. ;)

Thanks again..
L

Chris said...

Proud of my tweet-free life. :D I know with complete certainty that it would be the straw that breaks my back...

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