How many ways to keep in touch...

A few months ago, I received a hug from one of my friends on Facebook!!! Now there are several things you can do in the virtual world but a hug?!? I found the whole concept of receiving a hug over the internet pretty interesting and sorta funny:-). I spent a few more minutes (ofcourse searching the web!) and I realized that not only hugs, but virtual gifts, drinks and many more could be sent to your friends. What a concept - share a hug, share a drink, share anything with someone you know without moving and inch. Wow!

While growing up, I remember sending (real!) greeting cards and writing letters (yes - the ones that you actually write on a piece of paper) to friends and family to fill in on what was going on in my world. I sometimes wonder if anyone still does it. I used to enjoy going out every few months to shop for letter writing stationery , greeting cards that I could (snail) mail friends / family on their birthdays, anniversaries or to just wish them luck. As much as I love and use technology, I wonder if we will ever see good ole' letter writing ever become popular again :-(

We live in the age of Facebook, Twitter, Linkedin, email & instant messaging and being able to do all of these and more right from your phone! Thanks to these social / professional sites, I got in touch with quite a few of my classmates from school and college who had moved many times from my hometown which I think is great! But once you get in touch and exchange a few emails, a few FB wall postings etc filling in each other on whats happened over some years, what next?

I know friends who constantly update their status on Facebook status - how many people do you really think are curious to know if you've picked groceries or if you are having sleep issues or if you are having a bad day at work or if you are going to be hosting a dinner and how many different ways do you want to tell people you know well and not so well about all this and many more mundane everyday thoughts and activities? Even though I use some these networking sites and emails on a frequent basis, I sometimes worry that I will have one too many ways to keep in touch with family and friends; each one convenient and quick but none of them as personal and special as the letters and cards I used to send and receive when I was growing up!

Ok, now i have to find a way to email this blog post to some folks and share this blog post on my FB a/c :-)