There is no question the last two weeks have been busy but on Saturday night the bottom fell out of my Facebook bucket. A reporter for the local EMC paper had requested to add a friend to the list of event participants and days later when reminded, I could not find her Facebook PM.

Priding myself with good organizational skills, I was mortified as I dug through the dusty cyber files of messages. I had no idea everyone now had 2 inboxes on Facebook called the inbox and the "other" box. I had over 40 messages in the "other" inbox - some from as far back as 2 years ago! Mark Zuckerberg and his team need to communicate these things to their patrons-and no, I don't want to hear him say 'read all the t's and c's' yada yada yada.

Here's the deal: ever since Facebook revamped their messages, there's been a filter placed on your inbox. The one that comes up automatically when you press the messages icon is your "inbox" where you get messages from your friends. But it turns out there's that "other" inbox.

This "other" inbox is where messages from events and people who aren't your friends go. A good bit of it will be spam, but I found so many messages from people who were trying to connect with me one way or another. When I found them I diligently answered each one late Saturday night even though some were 1.5 years late.

Messages like:

July 2011

I encountered your Amish story on Facebook and was quite pleased to follow it by delving into your other work. Please accept my applause for your entertaining literary skill! I look forward to future reading! 
Sincerely, 
Susan XXX

Dear Susan,

I just got this email 2 years later and unlike the Amish I have power and internet access, so I apologize.

Thanks!

August 2011
I'm hoping this is the Linda that wrote that absolutely hilarious (albeit tragically true) article for Zoomers! Loved it!

Hello,

Yes it is, and I just got this two years later and that's sadly albeit tragically true!

October 2011

Hello! I just sent a friend request. I became acquainted with your writing skills on the quilting board. I've never posted there..but love looking at others quilts. Just wanted to say "thanks for the smiles and thought provoking " posts you share! JoAnn

Hi Jo Ann- just got this,

I need a quilt to hide under for the delay of this email.

October 2012
Hello there, how are you doing today ? Was searching for an old friend when I saw that lovely and cute smile you got there hope you don't mind being my friend- take care and have a great week. My regards to your family .

I didn't even bother to answer this.

November 2012
Please be aware of this man...he is a dating scammer. he just cheated me big time...i send him money...please dont fall for his tricks
a nice girl from denmark

hi again...please don't let him know yet that you know....let us try to get him..

Hello? Hello?

May 2. 2012
I read your blog post on OpenSalon and thought to myself. Now there's someone I want to follow on Facebook. I am not a stalker. Just a new fan. Your blog post about your book made me buy it!

Hi!

Thank you so much- I have another one now! (shameless self-promotion)

January 2013

Hi! I am interested in finding out where you are located and what sort of events you attend. I am a writer and event photographer and occasionally get to events in Quebec but not as often as I would like. Perhaps you might help me fill in a gap or two? Regardless I would love to add you to my friends!

signed,

Weird Review

Hi,

Sad to say this PM is late because I finally found out there was a 'other' box. I am writing about the subject tomorrow as half my mail was stuck in limbo there.

Dear Linda,
LOL I have been crying for months for not having received a response!

Dear Weird Review,
Oh hell, I knew you were crying.. Did you get my tissues??:)
Linda

Dear Linda,
LOL
Naw I have my own tissues. X-)

January 31, 2013

From@ XXXX Warner Bros.

Hi Linda - I am contacting you on behalf of the Warner Bros Television series The Carrie Diaries and the blog you wrote about the Limelight in NYC..............

Linda sobs for missing that one!

Near the bottom of the cyber pile of the 'other" box lies the message from Sabine Gibbins:

Hey Linda!

Her name is Tara and she would like chicken!

Thanks!

Sabine

Sad to say Tara did not get to attend that night, nor have chicken, so I decided to write this blog and dedicate it to Sabine to apologize.

Darn Facebook:

Super wall, fun wall, inbox and other box- will this ever stop?

Of course not!

                          

The Humm has one of my stories in their newspaper and online for th...

 

 

 

 

 

 

http://www.thehumm.com/current_issue.htm

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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