Finally, I made it.
We all started with Bebo – who remembers Bebo? – I don’t think I ever deleted my account, it’s probably still out there, somewhere in the interwebs, just biding its time, showcasing the insightful musings of a twelve year old.
Then when we graduated from primary school and once again became little fish in the big high school pond, there was the ongoing debate between MySpace and Facebook… eventually, of course, Facebook won out (like Bebo, MySpace has probably still got an account with my name on it floating around).
All this was while I still had a small mobile phone which, excitingly, had a colour screen and minuscule buttons, and a monthly credit allowance of $20 (I didn’t even know what ‘Cellular Data’ was then) – how did I manage all my ‘friends’?, how did I ‘follow’ people? – ok, so I know some people who do still have them, but I’m not quite sure how they survive. They obviously don’t have a social media addiction, that’s for sure.
Now, as I begin a degree in Communication and Media Studies, and after attending my first lecture, BCM112 – Convergent Media Practices with Dr Teodor ‘Ted’ Mitew, I have realised that, as much as I may feel I have an online presence in my few social media involvements, there is much of this online world as yet untapped, by me, at least, and the possibilities are seemingly endless.
After attempting the whole ‘Twitter’ thing when I first read about celebrities using it – and falling short in my inability to understand the purpose and power of the ‘Tweet’ at the time – I have now reinstated my account (Tweet me @symonds_jessica) and have downloaded the app for it on all my devices.
So, with an increasingly involved Facebook presence, guarded tweets slowly cracking out of their shells, and even a hidden adoration for the glorious imaginary world I have created with the help of Pinterest, I have taken the next step.
A blog.
I admit I cannot sever ties with the physical world – my cupboard is stacked with magazines (I follow religiously four publications, and pick and choose at infinitum a variety of others), and I much prefer to buy hardback books and DVDs than access them online – but I definitely would regard myself amongst those termed a ‘digital native’ – although I admit I’m not quite fluent in the native tongue quite yet; but I have three years to learn.
As to my blog name? – The latter part can be attributed to this existence in the online world; the former half of the name refers to my other source of enjoyment, cooking and cups of tea.
So although I’ve spoken mainly of Media Edit so far, do not fear, all you foodies out there, I am one of you. There will be High Tea soon. After all, one of my favorite sections on Pinterest is Food.
Such license as combining food with my online presence is something I have discovered, now that I have come of media age.
Image courtesy of http://www.touchahead.com/wp-content/uploads/SocialMediaFunnel.jpg
