The 21st Century has brought so many things along with it. Some actually could have existed before it came, but it has made them really significant in our lives, in our world. For now let's talk about the social network. I know I don't have much to say that you do not know already, if at all there is. One of it's best features is that there is no demophobia here; even those who can't speak in public can confidently say what is upon their hearts. You also get to speak with people to whom you do not even say "hi" when you meet in the corridor. Funny, isn't it.

A lot of time each day is spent, sometimes remorsefully with the guilt of the things people could have done rather than be online. What you can do on the social network is so limitless, each of these sites having its uniqueness. You'll either be chatting, tweeting, poking, following, name it. Unfortunately my vocabulary is limited to only Facebook and Twitter. I can't handle being engaged with another otherwise I will need something like 30 hours a day.

I am particularly enjoying my experience on Facebook being able to keep in touch with many friends in Uganda. It would be much harder (read impossible) to keep with such a number of people without Facebook. I do chat, not a lot, but sometimes enough to make feel like I wasted time I could have used to pull up my grades. I have also been amazed at how you find people you have not seen over years, and you had no idea you would ever be in touch again. I always marvel when I see those friend requests fly in. But that is only until the awkward moment.

There is this guy, you used to be good friends, you talked a lot, shared a lot. This time you meet on Facebook, you are glad to find one another, I imagine. It's been weeks, months, anything, but certainly been a while with no see. However after the catch up ritual, a rare silence breaks... Ouch, the silence it too loud.

Okay, this time let's go to the phone. Same pattern. Happy to be in touch after long, stories to catch up, blah blah. After a few minutes, "Hello, are you still on line?" The line that breaks the silence. It is often followed by weak efforts to keep the conversation going on. Asking same questions, repeating things already mentioned... "why don't you just hang up?", one may ask.

This seems funny, but I think it isn't. I mean, you used to be friends, did it change? What changed? Something definitely changed... How come you no longer have things to talk about? Does someone identify with this? It's definitely not imaginary, at least I do. I have another friend who does. I head him say "These days Facebook is boring. Even when my friends are online we can't make a conversation. It is like we are not friends anymore." That's a sad statement.

Okay what exactly happened (happens), I am yet to find out. But that is one of the things that sometimes happens when you talk to an OLD FRIEND

You can check out Old friend 1 too.