Social Networking
LJ used to be my primary means of electronic social networking. It has since been superseded by FB. Not because FB is better; but because more people use it, and it is designed to do things like sort party invites and whatnot with greater seamlessness (although I don't doubt many would disagree with that assessment - however, for a Luddite like myself, it's just fine). I use LJ to reach a select audience, and talk about stuff more at length.
Today, however, I was contacted on FB by a girl I haven't seen, as she noted, in close to 30 years.
I say 'girl' because, hell, when last we spoke I think we were both 15 or 16. I think we may have run into each other a couple of times at uni via mutual friends, but I don't remember for sure.
We didn't date. We weren't close. We weren't even friends. I think there was a mutual understanding that there was some intellectual capacity on both sides. But that's really about it. We have one mutual friend in common.
What amazed me is that we chatted pretty solidly, today, for about 3 hours. She has become an interesting, vibrant, joyful woman of accomplishment. She values ideas, gentleness, and being in a position to give (mind and talent and resources, too, I suspect). There was a tremendous ease in talking with her. Mutual, overlapping interests. And, where there's no overlap, the intellectual ability to ask intelligent questions. And a genuine curiousity. Which is rare.
I do not understand where or how these connections happen, but I treasure them.
Thank you, Monique, for sharing the awesome person you've become with me. It makes me glad.