The one about plurk

"Plurk is a social journal for your life."  That's the statement that greets you when you go to http://www.plurk.com.  It's an online social community that is most commonly associated with twitter.  I never twitted before, so I'm not completely familiar with it and can't fairly make a comparison between twitter and plurk.  But, I know that they both offer folks a way to stay connected with others through frequent status updates.

I was invited to plurk by another blogger (thanks again, LC!) during a time when I just happened to be lacking in social opportunities.  Since I work from home with little people all day (all of whom are 2 years old or younger, I often find myself starving for adult conversation.  I joined as soon as I read the invite, because I figured it would just be another thing that I join to check out, play with a day or two, then leave.

But, I'm still plurking!  It's nice to have a place to go where I can read other people's thoughts on politics, education, yes... even knitting (haha!).   I can post a question or a link... but more often than not, I post a frustration or a conflict, or even an idea about my day - and people, FRIENDS, respond to my comments with help, advice, or a way to make me smile.

It's more than just a random schmandom group of people, too.  My husby's plurking these days - so it's always nice to see what he's thinkin while he's at work or doing his silly FFB stuff or whatnot. And, there are groups of people that you look forward to "seeing" on plurk everyday.  I've gotten to know which peeps (or, "pleeps" hehe) are going to be on during which times of the day... and sometimes we even look forward to shooting the breeze with each other at naptimes or after the girls are in bed for the evening at 7:30pm.

Now, I'm the first to admit that I'm often more of a lurker than a plurker.  I enjoy reading on other people's (pulic, of course) conversations... sometimes about politics or what have you... but more often than not - they're talking about the simplest things - today's weather, the view from the deck, the traffic.  I find it entertaining.  I know, call me weird.  The good news is, this is not my ONLY form of adult interaction - hah!  I still have a life, with friends and mentors and peers just like anybody else.  Plurking is just a nice addition to my social dynamics.

The other day, I got a preschool crafty idea from another plurker. Today, I'm getting opinions about my next computer.  Later, I might poke around for ideas on what to make for dinner next week.  But, most of the time? I'm just chatting it up with my buddies when I get a chance to...  (Like, when I come into the office for crafty supplies or to take a quick break while the kids are engaged in a "new"/rotated in toy, or during naptime, etc...)

Plurking is not for everyone.  If you don't have the chance or the time to visit your computer every so often to check up on your pals or to update your pals, plurk is pretty useless for ya. But, if you are looking to make "friends" outside the box (or.. INSIDE the box as is the case, hehe) plurk is a fun tool! Plurk also gives the opportunity for private plurks - responses or comments, plurks or conversations that are privately intended for one or two other people - ideas that aren't accessible to the general public. ...Like, when I shared a moment of frustration with husby while we were both at work - something I didnt' necessarily need the world to know at the moment.

If you want to be a geek like me, you can sign up here.

If you are a plurker, then all I have to say is HI!!  And if you aren't?  Well, HI!!  This world is one big happy family after all... I love you, even if you don't plurk me.