An anti-Twitter stream of consciousness

A corner of my cabinet d'curiosities, Paris.

Update March 26: Read Di Overton's take on the subject: "Twitter away, I'm not playing."

Lately, I've been feeling completely overwhelmed by the tasks at hand. Book rewrites that are taking longer than expected, forcing me to revisit old wounds; an apartment that feels claustrophobic, after spending too many hours at the computer; a family situation that's made me realise how little control we really have in this life.

So today, instead of doing what I was supposed to, I went for a walk. I had tabouleh and coucous and yoghurt with cucumber and olive foccacia for lunch. I wondered if having breast-reduction surgery might make it easier to carry heavy camera gear around - but when would I have the time? Of course, the real reason to consider that surgery is back pain from being top-heavy. Can you imagine what it's like to live in a city filled with glamorous lingerie, but all the bras are the sizes we wore as teenagers? Sigh. But I am very reluctant to undergo surgery that requires anesthesia, unless absolutely necessary. Have you had this surgery? Were you pleased with the results?

OK, that was an unexpected diversion in this stream-of-consciousness post. And here's another: Why are girls still being force-fed in Mauritania? This is child abuse, not to mention barbaric!

Last night I watched the DVD of The Tudors until 3 a.m. (and slept in today). All that palace intrigue - thank goodness women no longer are subjected to having their children housed elsewhere, at the whim of their husbands.

I also edited some photos for a magazine piece and played with my camera. I talked to my husband, who's in Vienna for a conference; then answered some email. Why do companies keep emailing about "unique partnership opportunities with Paris Parfait," which really means they want me to link to their company, without them paying for a text ad? Do you get such requests?

I read the news with skepticism, dismay and delight and curiosity. And I am still hopeful - really hopeful - that things will improve for us all.

But don't ask me to Twitter - I get lots of those emails too - because if you've waded through this post, that's pretty much like a day's worth of Twitter feeds. I don't have the time for Twitter - and how do YOU find the time? And who really cares about the minutia of my life? Isn't that just too much information?

I was at a BlogHer seminar in San Francisco last July and the girl next to me spent 90 minutes "twittering" to her friends about buying clothes online. I wondered why she bothered to attend the session, as she obviously wasn't interested in the subject. But all you Twitter followers, don't let me dampen your enthusiasm. Twitter away! If you find the time, please tell me why you find the Twitter trend so appealing.

P.S. Some of my dearest friends have enthusiastically embraced Twitter; please don't take my opinion as a personal affront. It's not you, it's Twitter!

Comments

[Dawn]

I don't Twitter either, Tara. I have e-mail, a blog and am an administrator for a critical thinking forum in addition to my 'real life'. I guess I don't understand the appeal. But I can see that many other people in the garden blogger community really seem to enjoy it.

When you wrote, "...the girl next to me spent 90 minutes "twittering" to her friends about buying clothes online. I wondered why she bothered to attend the session...", it reminded me of a garden tour function I was at once. We were touring people's private gardens and someone was so busy posting about the event on their laptop that they weren't really interacting with the other members of the tour group or even experiencing the event in full IMO. They even made the car, going to the next house, wait for them while they finished up their entry. It was rather surreal.

As for breast reduction surgery: a friend of mine had it and was very happy she did. She'd been in a lot of back and shoulder pain for years. She said she felt it was well worth the short-term pain of surgery for the long-term benefits.

[My Melange]

Ok, here goes.

1. I am *top heavy* too- back pain and all- and I would not consider having breast reduction sx. Just a personal choice.

2. I too get those link emails. I put them right to spam.

3. I twitter. Didn't at first- but now I am addicted. Not always- not everyday- not every waking hour- but when I do, I really like it. Have met some great people.

Have a glass of wine, a deep breath and all will be fine once again for you :)

[tinker]

I hope all is well with you and your family, Tara. I have family members who have considered the surgery, but so far none have actually had it, as of yet. And as for twittering - though I have fb, just to keep in touch with some relatives, I rarely post anything myself there - I can barely keep up with blogging. I don't know how others do all thsee things (nor why, exactly - but to each their own!)
Hope you find some time to enjoy just for you~XOXO

[debi]

Oh Twitter. I don't get it. Like Tango, I barely have time to blog & email & visit in real life PLUS I need to actually make a living. PLUS I need time to paint. PLUS I am a tad bothered by the term "followers". Blogger does that - we have "followers". And while I love dearly the people who "follow" me, I really hate the use of that word. It's too Jim Jones-y. :)

[gypsy alex]

you have me giggling... Yesterday i did the same and blew the afternoon off by sitting at cafe gratitude and having a 3 course meal in the largest table in the sunshine... some days you just have to treat yourself. (now i could have twittered that but i saved it for you) :)

[Robin Laws]

I find i like these stream of consciousness posts where thoughts are revealed in situ and feelings are perhaps shared that otherwise might have been edited out as "too much info" then shared with friends who might perhaps relate. much love to you tara! muwah!
oooo extra hugs

[Gillian daSilva]

...that's sites, not sights...maybe I should follow an English professor?
LOL

[Gillian daSilva]

People sporting double A's, that's who! ;)
My decision to augment was one of the best. I have no regrets. You have to feel comfortable in your own skin.
:)
We weren't all born with big Texas tata's Constance! :) Love you. xo

[Stacy Hurt]

That's it! When she leaves home; I'm moving to France! Vive la difference! I always knew I didn't belong in this soulless county!

[rochambeau]

Hi Tara,
After reading Di's post I ran over to read yours.
For me, no twitter is good twitter. I barely have time to devote to reading and creating blogs. I adore blogging because of having the opportunity to meet beautiful people like you. I don't have time for facebook either.

If I had the $, I would have a breast reduction. Still I DO thank God for healthy breasts. My grandma used to have soars on her shoulders from bra straps. It boggles my mind that people would want to make their breasts bigger! Nuff said. It's funny how we all desire different things.

Hope you will have a great rest of today!

Big Hug
xox
Constanace

[Gillian daSilva]

My dear friend,
First, I have two friends who have undergone breast reduction surgery. Both ecstatic with their results, so very happy and they have both recommended the surgery to others. One told me in fact she wishes she had done it years ago. But I'm the wrong girl to ask, I had mine increased. :)
The news headline links I didn't click, only because I watch BBC World news almost once per hour when I can take a break so I get my fill there! :)
As for Twittering, I just started again. I took a break last year and just went on it again. I do it like I do everything else, in moderation. It certainly wouldn't keep me from living my life. I follow some interesting people in business, some bloggers and that is it. I don't follow celebrities or anything like that-because like you, I really don't care about the mundane details of everyday life. Generally I'm interested in useful information...such as links to marketing sights or new technologies or the like. You know??? :) Yeah, there is a lot of flotsam out there, just like in Blogland, you must learn the art of sifting through it all.
But I agree with you, as I am an eternal fence sitter, and we'll see how long I last on there.
The two I'm faithful to until the end; my blog, and flickr. The rest could die a slow death.
xoxo
Love you and please, keep your opinions coming that is why we love you!
Wow, long comment! Mum just asked me if I was typing War & Peace.
:)

[Chris]

Hi, Tara! I'm actually catching up on stuff! I have been preparing for a trip, making my first art journal from scratch and working on a swap. I've been working overtime to get enough done to afford my going away for a week. But enough about me. Thank you so much for these links. As always, they help me. I look forward to reading them.

I joined twitter three months before I actually got into it. I was taking the whole thing too seriously, like it made some kind of difference and I had to be in earnest about it. But I don't get it in terms of networking. I mean, maybe because I'm not a professional artist. What I do with it is just make some quick updates with friends, and also follow links that some people are kind enough to attach with their tweets, which are often sites I wouldn't know about otherwise or have time to search for myself. The main thing I use it for is decompression when I'm just enmeshed in real life. I see how several friends are doing all in one place, and give any update I might have. But it really needs to be a quick thing. If Twitter is moving slowly I just get out. I have too much to do. In general, it's taken too seriously by most people. I don't really think it's good for self-promotion at all, but what do I know?

I was concerned re: your surgery comment. Pain is not good on a consistent basis. Do you feel it causes you to compensate in your body mechanics? This can make things even harder. I know nothing about the procedure, though. I can't offer an opinion on that. I wish you relief!

You, as always, enrich.

[Leau]

Ya know sugar, I am instant gratification girl but even so, I don't get twitter! I do talk to myself all the time and if anyone else was listening, that could be considered twittering couldn't it? just have to be close to me! I'm with ya on that whole carrying the weight of the world in the front of my body! and seat belt are more like torture devices for me too. My friend had the surgery years ago and said it changed her life. But now as an old woman, she is just as saggy as the rest of us, so there is that! Enjoy your day my informative friend. smooches

[Tara Bradford]

Thanks, Lala. Wishing you the same. xoxox

[Tara Bradford]

That WAS weird when BBC admitted that. But I guess those people with Twitter were first on the scene. And I know Twitter recently helped stranded climber on a remote mountain get rescued. So it has its uses - I'm just not sure that day-to-day minutia should be one of them.

I'm considering that surgery, as back pain is one of the annoying issues - not to mention good posture!

As for BlogHer, I'm glad I got to meet a couple of fellow bloggers - and even better, meet up with a bunch of interesting artists at a brunch a friend and I hosted for them - but the conference itself was not for me; very basic stuff. I don't expect I'll be returning.

[Julochka]

tara--i'm on twitter, but i don't really know why. i think it scares me a little bit that just a few weeks ago, BBC World admitted live on the air that they learned about the turkish airlines crash in AMS from twitter. it scares me in so many ways that i can't even articulate why, but i'm still thinking about it.

as for the boobs--my sister had breast reduction 12 years ago and it was AWESOME. totally changed her life, her outlook, her wardrobe. it was painful, i'll grant you that, but she would say it was completely and utterly worth it.

you didn't really go to blogher did you? you? you're too fabulous for that, aren't you? ;-)

[my castle in spain]

Dear Tara,
Keep the boobs up! Actually a friend of mine had a breast reduction quite young because she didn't feel comfortable with them.

As for Twitter, i can't either !! i already find it hard to keep up with emails and the blog and tutti quanti...so it's a definite no-no for me..

Wish you "une semaine excitante" Tara !
Bien amicalement
Lala

[Tara Bradford]

Thanks, Di. I've added your link to my post. xo

[Di Overton]

Oh you have really got me going now - Twitter!!! - I have just had to do a post about it today. My blood has only just gone on to simmer.
Boob reduction - It's like having a headache and not taking an pain killer but only do it if your feel comfortable with it.

[Tara Bradford]

I have two great camera bags - it's the weight of the gear that makes them difficult to carry around. Thanks for the compliment about the photos. And I appreciate the information about your own and your sister-in-laws' experience with surgery.

I smiled when I read your comment about "in my spare time." But I would love to meet up in the South of France - probably can't do it until the fall, though, as I have too much travel, beginning in April. If there's any chance you'll be in Paris, let me know. xo

[Tara Bradford]

Thanks, Paula. I can't keep up w/ blogging the way I'd like, either. As for the surgery issue, I've actually been thinking about it for a couple of years, but other health considerations have made me hesitant. And even though it's improved in the last few years, the anesthesia scares me big time.

[Tara Bradford]

Stacy, I can relate to the bras that restrict one's breathing or leave ridges on the shoulders - or worse, just fall off the shoulders repeatedly. I think teenagers should never consider surgery unless it's for a medical reason - after all, their bodies are still developing and changing. I am appalled that so many mothers would encourage their daughters to undergo such procedures. And the botox trend is really awful - all those expressionless faces; they just look ridiculous and sad. I blame Hollywood and all those air-brushed advertisements, with 20-year-old models selling anti-aging creams. At least in France, women are allowed to grow old gracefully. The French wouldn't dream of surgery to try to look 30 again. The Europeans subscribe to the belief that "at 50, you have the face you deserve."

[Tara Bradford]

Well you, my darling, are the exception - I can see that Twitter might be a plus for you. Thanks for the info about your friend's experience. xo

[Tara Bradford]

Gracey, thanks for your comments and for the lovely compliment about the photos.

[Tara Bradford]

Well I got tired writing such minutia. :) And I agree with you about "the gripping daily life."

[gracey]

hi Tara,

I've seen the news about girls being force-fed at Mauritiana :( it's very saddening. Keeping culture is good but they also have to consider the welfare of the people.

And i'm an anti-tweeter. i can't do much creative stuffs on it.

Great photos as always ;)

Take care,

gracey

[Molokai Girl]

It is truly refreshing to see such a commentary on Twitter publicly! I feel the same way. I haven't even ventured into the realm of Facebook. Why Twitter? Isn't that what TM is for? Or emailing? Or a phone call? How is there time for Twittering? I can't even keep up with blogging like I'd like to.
I'm sorry I'm no help in the breast reduction surgery area. I am afraid of anesthesia. It's very hard on the kidneys. I've heard that acupuncture has been used in surgery in lieu of anesthesia. I also heard that the reduction does help with the back pain. And I can understand you're being leery. Surgery is a pretty drastic thing to do.

[Stacy Hurt]

Hi Tara,

Regarding Twitter; I find that I have followers but the actual page only loads about 25 'tweets' so if I tweet something in the am; then go to work; have a life; come home at 5 have more life; then sit back down to the computer & see where my last 'tweet' was... I have at minimum an entire 2 hours of reading just to catch up to the current moment. I don't have that kind of time. I must admit however; when I've been on for an hour or so; things are discussed on twitter (between friends, etc) that aren't on blogs so you sort of feel like you're part of the 'in' crowd. But to reiterate and echo your sentiment: at what cost?

Being top heavy; ah yes; those lovely ditches on your shoulders where your bra straps are. Sadly; my 15 yr old has inherited my jeans in that department; she just sized out of her DD. Those bras; good ones; can run $90 to $100 each by the way. She is not overweight anywhere else. I myself would love to have reduction as I would love to be able to run without the aid of a sports bra that has to be so tight as to restrict one's breathing. Rather like a corset for the athletic set. Preposterous. I don't view that type of elective surgery the same as implants or botox though. And I suppose in all fairness; maybe I should.

I read that the most popular gift for a 16 year old girl these days is a boob job; why are we not appalled at that? I was horrified. I wonder at these tribal tortures in other countries & really we only have to look to our own country and our own culture; injecting horse ejaculation into one's lips??? What are we telling our daughters? Anorexia; Bulimia, etc... And it's the mothers, (here in the states) that allow this; think it's great! They probably even have their daughters go to the surgeon who did their own nips & tucks; they probably give discounts. LOL, can you imagine; "two for the price of one" really takes on a whole new vision...

[tammyy]

Tara, a breast reduction is more painful than enlarging(more involved). My friend had to have one but after she gained weight, guess where it went? Yup, the breast and other various places.

I twitter if I want my far away friends To know I'm okay if I have not posted in awhile. FB updates I'll do if I'm talking about a movie review or a haiku. I have tons of time on my hands. lol

[RD]

I didn't get tired at all! But, you're right, if they came in every few minutes (as I know some do), I probably would tweet out pretty quickly. I can't imagine anyone, even someone living in Paris!, has such a gripping daily life. :-)

[bethenais]

Tara,
Firstly, love the crown! Now about the camera bag, i have not much to offer as my camera is small but, my photos are not in the same gorgeous league as yours!
The surgery thingy I can offer advice from a post mastectomy reconstruction which offered many perks, the least of which is the obvious bathing suit ,or gown benefits- however, the surgery was easy and I was working & dancing in less than 2 weeks. My sister-in-laws has reductions and have been thrilled. Must look up the force feeding topic since I am not familiar with it. Twitter seems not my cup of tea, I tried it for a day and I see no value in it, it appears to fill in empty space! did you see the Jon Stewart about Twitter,hysterically fuuuunny! Good luck with the book revisions ! ps any interest in a south of France blogger conference/meeting ? I mean in your spare time§§??

[Tara Bradford]

My sentiments exactly about the distractions! I am easily distracted; it's hard enough to focus on the things I should be doing, never mind going off on some other tangent! :)

[Tara Bradford]

I don't think you're being harsh, Colette. I'm sure there are many people who use social media to avoid facing certain issues about their lives. I just can't grasp the concept of how people find the time to report little incidents throughout the day. Although I know in the recent plane crash in Holland, Twitter actually helped get information to families.

[Tara Bradford]

TB remember when we talked about this a few months ago, when one guy was being followed by the Bush administration, so he started a website showing where he was every single minute of the day and night - and what he ate for breakfast, lunch and dinner? And we were horrified at the intrusion and lack of privacy? Twitter just seems like a milder version of all that.

As for the crown, I'll keep you in mind. Maybe the next time you come to Paris, we could find one of your very own. :) xoxox

[Tara Bradford]

Ah yes, Helen, we must remember that "this too shall pass." I'm sorry you're having such a long winter - that can't help your mood. The Madonna crown is life-sized. It was worn by children in religious processionals in France. But I think wearing it for long would give one a headache. And I know what you mean about it was all very lovely when we were younger; but now, it's all a bit much and seatbelts - well, another reason I like public transportation. :)

[Tara Bradford]

Gladys, I believe in giving something new a fair shot. You might find some business benefit to Twitter; apparently many many people do, hence its increased popularity over the past three years.

[Tara Bradford]

Thanks, Judith. Wise words. xo

[Tara Bradford]

Di, we've had this conversation recently and I just can't do backpacks. Facebook I spend very little time on, as again, I have other priorities. As for someone having an overwhelming schedule, I'd say you're there too. At least your upcoming trips will be positive stress. :) xo

[materfamilias]

I'm like you and have just drawn a firm line well above the possibility of Twitter. My personality is already drawn to activities that distract me from what I need to do and between the blogging and the e-mailing and the Facebooking, I hardly need another slippery slope!

[Tara Bradford]

Thank you, dear Lois. I think I just snapped when my inbox became too unwieldy and my calendar seemed incomprehensibly full. :) xo

[Tara Bradford]

Maia, I would have loved to hear your "imaginery" conversation! :) I'm with you - I think blogging is quite enough sharing, without adding Twitter to mix.

[Tara Bradford]

Oh Brenda, I hope so! Lots going on here. Will email you soon; I'm trying to figure out a trip later in the year. xoxox

[Tara Bradford]

And didn't you get tired of reading my post that seemed like Twitter??!! I guess the trick is minutia in infrequent "tweets." :)

[Tara Bradford]

Thanks for sharing your own experience with Twitter, Aimee. I have some friends who say they've made some useful contacts via Twitter. But like you, they Twitter in small doses.

[Tara Bradford]

And here's me thinking nobody cares what I ate for lunch. :) Only you, the chef, would be interested in such trivia. Love to you, Twitter Baby. xoxox

[Tara Bradford]

I am a huge fan of technology and use it all day long. But I have to draw the line somewhere; for me, that line is Twitter. Thanks so much, Yoli, for telling me about your own experience with surgery. I'm certainly considering it. xo

[Yoli]

I do a lot of things many of which surround my kids. Once they go to bed, I fiddle on my blog, I read and then I twitter. I grew up with technology, actually we grew up together so it is an extention of me. Now, I can totally understand how some people find it hard to comprehend and/or a way to avoid life. There are certainly those are doing it who do. Now for the good news!! I had breast reduction surgery at 32. Tara it was the best thing I ever did. The best. I used to live with a bottle of Bayer, the back pains were horrible and I was beginning to stoop. Trust me on this one, if I had had the money younger, I would have done it younger.

[Christina]

I confess! I am a recent twitter baby. Who knows why I do it. My life isn't that exciting that I need to update it that often. I don't have that many updates on there. I live the quietest of life's. I feel bad but it is another thing, I might have to break up with, in my life. Ahh... say twitter, thangs just aren't going the way I thought they would and you gotta get your stuff and bounce!

I have another confession. The whole time I was typing that last sentence, I was thinking of the lunch you had.

Dang!

xo

[Aimee]

Twitter can be a great way to connect with people in a similar field or with similar hobbies. But then, I probably only "tweet" a few times a day (3-4 tops), and there are certainly those who do so as many times per hour. I don't fully get it either, but there have been interesting doors opened both ways through it for me.

[Colette]

Twitter is yet another way to avoid one's life. So many things going on that one needs yet one more item to fiddle with?

I know, I know, this may be harsh -- but if you cannot concentrate on the President's speech or a conference or whatever, and need to twitter, just exactly what do we call that? I call it avoiding your life, being distracted from more important things.... etc.

Of course, this is only my opinion and I do not presume to judge those who want to twitter.