Will you be my friend?

I've been resistant to all of the social networking that is present on the web. What if you don't want to be found by someone you had gym class with in second grade? Is there any privacy anymore?  Do we really have to expose our lives and thoughts to the world 24/7 in the name of networking, marketing, and social contacts? Alyson Stanfield, an art consultant I know, insists on the importance of making the most of these networking opportunities. She sends out a weekly newsletter on Mondays that made me change my mind.   "It's time to get serious about using the Internet more effectively. Expanding your online presence is always (ALWAYS) a good idea, but now might be a good time to devote even more of your energy to doing so." "If you're not yet on these sites, don't waste another moment.  Just trust me on this one.  No whining! No complaining! No excuses!" 

It is impossible to stay off the web anyway.  Have you ever "googled" yourself?  Try it.  It's very surprising to me what shows up.  If there's no fighting it, I might as well take Alyson's advice, join in, and network with only a little bit of whining. 

So you can now find me on Linked In, Facebook, Twitter, and Inkteraction, a printmaking networking group.  I feel a little exposed and vulnerable.  Find me, follow me, but please be kind, and be my friend.