turn around and let me put this "kick me" sign on your back

if you’re a wee, delicate flower, don’t go on the internet.  if you don’t like bullies, stay away from chat boards.  if you’re going to cry because someone doesn’t super pink puffy heart you, or doesn’t less than three you, take your tray and go to the other side of the cafeteria because i don’t want you sitting at my table anyway.  i met some of my very best friends on the internet, but i also “met” a lot of people that i didn’t like.  some of them were downright mean, some were just not my type.  none of them were worth getting in a tizzy over if they didn’t want me in their clique.  oh! mah! gah!  

i joined a message board a few years ago.  it was a great distraction when i was bored-at-work career gal, and a lifesaver in the lonely, isolated days of early stay-at-home-mommyhood.  over time, it became less important to me, especially as the fog of depression lifted and i reconnected with my motivation to actually do things.  it became less interesting.  it became unnecessary.  the distraction became just that…a distraction.  the girls that i met on that board – the ones that i really connected with – have transformed from “internet friends” to “in real life” friends.  (OMG! IRL!) we never would have met if it weren’t for that internet board, and for that i am truly grateful.

so why am i bringing this up?  (totally lame, is it not?) because some of us defected (GASP! TREASON! TRAITORS!) from the public board and started our own “supersecret” board, and were called out for it. (again, totally lame).  i’m 30 years old and i am in a clique for the first time in my life!  sweet!  

these girls are my friends.  i see some of them in person multiple times a week.  i text and email all of them regularly.  we workout together, we shop together, we drink together, we vacation together, we celebrate our babies’ birthdays together, we go to dinner together.  but having a message board together is a punishable offense.  

next time we have a party, we’re inviting the ENTIRE INTERNET, so check your mail for the evite. it’s gonna be huge.  but bring your own chair, because you can’t sit by me.