Of count downs and snowy days

You learn some interesting things about people in several different ways. As a friend once said, "if you want to learn 23 interesting things with me, spend a day with me."

Look in their eyes, listen to their conversations (preferably with you), look at what they wear, what they eat, and what they post as their Facebook statuses.

In their eyes you will see their soul. When they say the eyes are the window to the soul, they don't lie. I look in people's eyes and see the compassion, or the stubbornness, or the joy, or the sadness that's there.

If we listen to them talk, and more importantly, we understand what they are saying, we learn so much about our friends.

What they wear and what they eat may show their morals, their upbringing, and their perspective on their self. Are they vegetarians that only wear natural fibers? Do they have a strict religious diet or clothing? Are they the kind of people who refuse to wear brand names, or wear them only? These things can speak to us.

But facebook? What could you possibly learn from facebook?

As the title of this suggests, a lot. I like reading my friend's status updates because it lets me know the current weather back in Calgary where my friends continuously complain (or rejoice) about the cold and the snow.
Then there are the countdowns too. My friends are not always considerate enough to put what they are counting down to, but just putting things like "3 days!" Usually a little research concludes that it is a trip or a birthday or something to that effect. If not, you just have to wait until the status that tells you that "the day has come! It's..." and fill in the blank.
Quite often it is exams or school that cause the most distress. I see a lot of my friends are in university now and are doing the "one down, three to go" with their exams. Although I do love the ones that talk of burning their text books now that the class is done. Might I suggest selling the text books back, and burning the homework instead? It's a little more economic that way.

So, of count downs and snowy days.

On facebook I have friends from several walks of life, and from several regions, include a few from California who would probably die of shock if they saw the temperature in Calgary right now. I have friends in New York and England who have radically different weather than we do. The couple in England tend to complain more about rain than the cold, and I often have to remind myself of the time difference when they state they are having a beer, and it's only noon here in BC.
These statuses though show a lot about a person. For example, I know some of my friends adore the snow, and some would rather it be beautiful and sunny all the time. Some don't mind the cold, and some avoid it at all costs. There is my Dad who prefers the cold to the snow because "you don't have to shovel cold".
The countdowns show what's important to people. Also, how well they can count. We all count down to monumental occasions, such as birthdays and holidays, but would everyone please stop counting down the days until Christmas? That's the one holiday we all know is coming, but are never ready for. Although I am done wrapping 50% of my presents, the other 50% are not yet purchased...
I like to think there is a purpose to this, but really it's just to make a casual observation about how much we base our knowledge of our friends off Facebook. I for one would never know when any one's birthday is if it weren't for the handy bar that tells me about up coming birthdays. Facebook sends me emails saying that in the next couple weeks these people are having birthdays and you should probably get them something.
Oh!
A quick check of facebook has granted me one more type of status I love, the quotes. I did one the other day, quoting a fictional character, but it was deep none the less. I have friends that probably 60% of their facebook status updates contain a quote or song lyrics. Want to know what TV shows your friends watch? Facebook will tell you. Their favourite movies/music/singers/songs?
What do you want people to know about you? What do you want to tell the world? Because that's what your facebook profile is, it's a window to you. It's a glimpse at who you are and what you like. So, what message do you want to send?