Digital Distance Friends
The Internet, the very thing that allows you to read the words I have written, the thoughts I am sharing. Marvelous thing isn't it?
Except when you have a blog to post and have no Internet for the week... Woops.
So here it is. It's Tuesday night,.. scratch that, it's Wednesday morning, and I have been so busy with my roommate moving out and getting things ready for the arrival of a new roommate that I find I have completely neglected to type something up in advance for a blog that goes live less than 23hours from now.
A realization that of course, only crossed my mind ten minutes after curling up in bed.
My access to the Internet to post this week? Work. Which means I have to write something up before work and review/schedule/post during my fifteen minute break. Happy fun times!
And now you know a bit more about the distracted Rambler behind the scenes.
So panic mode ensues, what to write about? The marvelous wonders of technology and the Internet of course! More precisely, using technology to maintain long distance friendships.
I must say, I am ever appreciative of the cell phone I am currently typing away on. It is because of this device that, even without Internet, I was able to watch a movie with a college buddy of mine tonight even though he lives five to six hours away.
I simply popped in a dvd, tonight's choice Focus with Will Smith (a Must See in my opinion), paused it at the WB logo and waited for a 3,2,1 Go text from my friend to make sure we'd be watching the same thing at the same time. Then, text by text, we shared our reactions to the movie as it progressed (shout out to my best friend for perfecting this movie watching technique with me).
Amazing isn't it?
Because of technology, not only can I keep in touch with the people I’ve met during college and during my travels, but I can also sit down and watch a movie with them despite the distance.
My best friend and I, also someone I met in college, even use this method for stressful days. If either one of us is having a bad day, we let the other know and make sure to squeeze in some time together no matter how busy we are. Presently this means twenty minute episodes of Scrubs on Netflix. Now of course, it may start with one episode but you all know how that goes "just one more" and before we know it, we have laughed the days stresses away and it is time to say goodnight.
This movie method all began because when she and I were in college we would often get together for movie nights to de-stress from our school work and jobs in residence. When we both moved back to our respective home towns, we found we missed sharing this simple activity and it was then we decided to adapt it.
Now of course, this is just how we maintain our friendship online but there are many ways. Some may choose to simply keep in touch with each other via Facebook, some by email correspondence, some spend time talking on the phone/Skype, and others choose to spend time together by playing online games. There really are so many options, we just found this to be more personal in regards to our friendship.
In this day and age, it really isn't uncommon to have long distance friendships but these relationships can be strained and people can begin to drift when the dynamics or settings have been changed.
It is then that we have to remember what it was in particular that we found so enjoyable about our friendships. Was it being random together, was it humour, conversation, sharing certain pastimes? If we can identify these points, we can adapt them.
Did you enjoy game nights with someone? Try an online game with a headset or phone line open for communication. Did you enjoy crafting together? Perhaps you can set up your laptop/phone at the craft table and Skype with each other. Was your relationship purely silly? Make a point to send each other random humorous tidbits, maybe even snail mail gag gifts.
Staying connected has never been easier, provided we get into the habit of putting forth the time and effort.
Do you have any friends who live far away whom you miss spending time with? What did you do when you were able to get together before? What is special about your relationship? What tools do you have at your disposal? How can you combine the activity and the tools to adapt how you stay connected?
A realization that of course, only crossed my mind ten minutes after curling up in bed.
My access to the Internet to post this week? Work. Which means I have to write something up before work and review/schedule/post during my fifteen minute break. Happy fun times!
And now you know a bit more about the distracted Rambler behind the scenes.
So panic mode ensues, what to write about? The marvelous wonders of technology and the Internet of course! More precisely, using technology to maintain long distance friendships.
I must say, I am ever appreciative of the cell phone I am currently typing away on. It is because of this device that, even without Internet, I was able to watch a movie with a college buddy of mine tonight even though he lives five to six hours away.
I simply popped in a dvd, tonight's choice Focus with Will Smith (a Must See in my opinion), paused it at the WB logo and waited for a 3,2,1 Go text from my friend to make sure we'd be watching the same thing at the same time. Then, text by text, we shared our reactions to the movie as it progressed (shout out to my best friend for perfecting this movie watching technique with me).
Amazing isn't it?
Because of technology, not only can I keep in touch with the people I’ve met during college and during my travels, but I can also sit down and watch a movie with them despite the distance.
My best friend and I, also someone I met in college, even use this method for stressful days. If either one of us is having a bad day, we let the other know and make sure to squeeze in some time together no matter how busy we are. Presently this means twenty minute episodes of Scrubs on Netflix. Now of course, it may start with one episode but you all know how that goes "just one more" and before we know it, we have laughed the days stresses away and it is time to say goodnight.
This movie method all began because when she and I were in college we would often get together for movie nights to de-stress from our school work and jobs in residence. When we both moved back to our respective home towns, we found we missed sharing this simple activity and it was then we decided to adapt it.
Now of course, this is just how we maintain our friendship online but there are many ways. Some may choose to simply keep in touch with each other via Facebook, some by email correspondence, some spend time talking on the phone/Skype, and others choose to spend time together by playing online games. There really are so many options, we just found this to be more personal in regards to our friendship.
In this day and age, it really isn't uncommon to have long distance friendships but these relationships can be strained and people can begin to drift when the dynamics or settings have been changed.
It is then that we have to remember what it was in particular that we found so enjoyable about our friendships. Was it being random together, was it humour, conversation, sharing certain pastimes? If we can identify these points, we can adapt them.
Did you enjoy game nights with someone? Try an online game with a headset or phone line open for communication. Did you enjoy crafting together? Perhaps you can set up your laptop/phone at the craft table and Skype with each other. Was your relationship purely silly? Make a point to send each other random humorous tidbits, maybe even snail mail gag gifts.
Staying connected has never been easier, provided we get into the habit of putting forth the time and effort.
Do you have any friends who live far away whom you miss spending time with? What did you do when you were able to get together before? What is special about your relationship? What tools do you have at your disposal? How can you combine the activity and the tools to adapt how you stay connected?
From pen pals to movies, from Skyping to scheduled game nights, the possibilities are endless so utilize them to make sure distance doesn't cause your friendships to wither.
Have you found any other activities you can share with distant friends? Share them in the comments below.
Have you found any other activities you can share with distant friends? Share them in the comments below.
Cheers!
The Bra Street Rambler
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