Seriously, I do.  The idiocy level of so many of the users pretty much outweighs any possible benefit you might get from it.  Though it is useful for finding people you wwent to high school or college with since so many people make profiles, and it's free unlike classmates.com

But anyway, I got a "bulletin" from someone on my friends list that royally pisses me off.  Not just normal annoyance at how people use bulletins not as brief public notices, but instead as a massive dumping ground for every survey and chain letter they get sent, but actually pissed off.  The "bulletin" is as follows:

When you were 15, she came home late from work, looking for a hug. You thanked her by having your bedroom door locked.  When you were 16, she taught you how to drive her car. You thanked her by taking it every chance you could.  When you were 17, she was expecting an important call. You thanked her by being on the phone all night.  When you were 18, she cried at your high school graduation. You thanked her by staying out partying until dawn.  When you were 19, she paid for your college tuition, drove you to campus carried your bags. You thanked her by saying good-bye outside the dorm so you wouldn't be embarrassed in front of your friends.  When you were 25, she helped to pay for your wedding, and she cried and told you how deeply she loved you. You thanked her by moving halfway across the country. When you were 50, she fell ill and needed you to take care of her. You thanked her by reading about the burden parents become to their children.  And then, one day, she quietly died. And everything you never did came crashing down like thunder on YOUR HEART.  If you love your MOM, repost this bulletin saying ''i'm pissed''  if you don't... then you obviosly don't care if your mom dies.

WTF?  Seriously, wtf is wrong with these people?

When I was 15, we didn't have locks on our bedroom doors, because A) it was my parents' house, they owned it, and paid for it, and they can go in any room they please, and B) because our family operated on mutual respect.  A closed door at all means knock and wait for answer before entering.  No need for a lock, the doors generally never close at all.  Not to mention, when my mom got home, we were doing family chores because they were supposed to be done before she got home, but we usually ran over a bit.  And on top of that, we usually say hello when someone gets home.

When I was 16, my dad taught me to drive our 13 year old 3-speed pickup.  I wasn't allowed to just take it any time I wanted.  I had to ask permission for anything other than taking myself and my siblings to school.  If I wanted to go to my girlfriend's house, I'd ask... "Can I borrow the truck to go over to...?"  Or if they were home, they might let me use the van, but either way, I had to ask.  A year later in 1997 when my sister could drive as well, they helped us pay for our *own* vehicles... I got a used 1989 Ford Probe GT with 107k miles on it, and paid for half of it myself.  Because I'd had a summer job for the previous 5 years.

When I was 17, I used the phone when I wanted to, but if my parents needed it, I GOT OFF IT.  It's their phone, they pay for it.  They'd give us leeway as in, "I need the phone."  "Can you wait on a minute or two?"  "Sure, just let me know when you're off."  There was no sitting on it, especially if my parents were expecting an important call.  If they were expecting any call for that matter... you stayed off the phone, which also meant staying offline.  Again, if you wanted to sit on the phone... you could pay for your own phone line.

When I was 18, I didn't stay out partying till dawn.  I didn't party at all really.  And if I was out, it was because I had already let them know I would be, and asked if they minded or had different plans.  And if I was going to out later than a decent hour, I called to let them know.  For this reason, I had no real curfew, as long as they knew where I was and when I planned to be home.

When I was 19, I applied for financial aid and my parents took out loans for me to go out of state to a private college.  They probably *did* drive me the 5 hours down there, but my entire family went.  And we all helped move me in.  My entire family packed into my dorm room with me.  And stayed in a motel overnight even to tour the area, and make sure I was settled.

When I was 25... I'm wasn't married, but if I was, the bride's family generally pays for the wedding.  And my mom tells me she loves me numerous times a week, sometimes numerous times a day!  And though I have no plans to move out of the area where all my family are, if I did, my family would happily see me off, and then be happy to come visit as an excuse for a vacation.  They constantly suggest I should move to Colorado, Alaska, or other countries so they can come visit me there.  :D

When I'm 50, I'll do what I need to, to take care of my parents, who will be 75.  I'll treat them with the same amount of love and respect I give them now.  "You thanked her by reading about the burden parents become to their children."  What kind of shallow, and downright uncaring person wrote this?

And then, one day, my mom will die, like everyone else.  And there will be no "crashing down" of regrets, there will be sadness at losing a loving mother who always had faith in her kids, and was always proud of our accomplishments big or small, and accepting of our mistakes, because we all make them.

"If you love your MOM, repost this bulletin saying ''i'm pissed''  if you don't... then you obviosly don't care if your mom dies."

And to this I replied something along the lines of...

How about, if you love your mom (parents), you don't do those things to her (them) in the first place?  How about you tell them you love and appreciate them and all they do, and treat them with respect instead of passing along a MySpace bulletin they'll never read which accomplishes nothing?

Seriously, do people out there actually get a sense of worth and accomplishment by passing on garbage like this?  Do they actually somehow think passing along a MySpace bulletin actually makes up for being horrible children and treating their parents like shit?

And yes, I know lots of people have bad parents, but then they wouldn't be passing this thing on anyway.

It just boggles my mind.  And reinforces my dislike for a large majority of the population.

I'm too afraid to go anywhere NEAR MySpace >_>

I try not to use it. Though a few friends do use it regularly. I've had an account since early 2004 as well, it didn't used to be as bad. :|

i think there should be a law that myspace bulletins can only be used to announce parties. i have a 'friend' who posts every forawrd and quiz thing he can thing of- i'd actually like to strangle him through the computer.

One day, I had 54 bulletins in the list I think... 46 of them were from only two people. I removed them from my friends. :P I think I've posted one bulletin. To let several of my friends know availability for a mountain biking outing. :P

Hopefully make it out once or twice! Usually try to go on the Highland weekend, and again on either the Irish or Chocolate weekends.

My cousin has become a victim to the myspace bulletins. She sends out at least eight a day. She sent that one out a while ago, and I thought the exact same thing you did. My parents didn't put up with that kind of shit, we always had to ask permission to do anything or go anywhere.

I delete people who send out that many. :P

Maybe I don't care if she dies? HOW BOUT THEM APPLES???!!!

There is that possibility, but I think that falls under the people who wouldn't pass it on anyways. :P

Amen on almost all counts!! (a few of my answers were a little different ... but the main thing was your "mutual respect" comment).

I avoid MySpace like the plague ... in fact, I'm dealing with a drama shakedown that exploded all over MySpace.

Couldn't agree more.

You have great insight and depth. You should really write more.

i love and appritiate you richard



-AdjstngMyJohnson