First there was 360. It was such an interactive, fun, social site. I was new to the blogging scene and since I've always had a love of writing, I jumped right in. I made friends from around the world - people who loved art, writing and discussing everything from education to religion. I was a babe and I grew fast. I was amazed at how much I learned to care for these virtual friends and look forward to their adventures and replies to mine. One day 360 told us all we had to move our interaction elsewhere and gave us a chance to transport our postings once we decided on a new social home.
The bulk of us moved our stuff to a service call Multiply in the fall of 2007. I always intended to weed through the stuff I had moved, but life went on and so did the socializing. It was a reasonable fit, though different from 360 and since our friends moved with us, we were happy enough to endure the changes in format and barely skipped a blogger's beat.
I was introduced to writers, educators, and artist in so many disciplines. My love of photography found inspiration, challenge and support as well. Some of us worked together to establish an online creative arts gallery. There were writing contests and recipe collections and then there was the nightly chat sessions with fantastic interaction between groups of friends.
Then in 2012 Multiply closed it's virtual doors to social interaction. With the warning, we all began looking for the best new home for our virtual friendships and online interaction. As the shut-down came, we all stood on the www shore and waved good-bye as people wandered off into their 'brave new virtual experience.' Some chose one venue and some chose another. Most found nothing that compared to 360 or Multiply. Several split their online interaction between creative venues like Word Press and Blogger from Google and the shallower, lighthearted and quirky My Space and Facebook. Some wandered off to establish themselves away from the crowd promising to look in now and then.
I imported my stuff to Blogger and Google+ and established a presence on Facebook. It's been an okay venture, but I've lost touch with many of the virtual friends I made who had become such a strong part of my real existence. I began sorting and converting my blogs and albums from Multiply in the two serious venues. But as things go, not much really got done before I resumed activity with a promise to get back to it- a promise un-kept.
Then the shut down of Google+ social pages was announced. I frantically transferred any pictures to my computer and any unsaved musings and poetry to my blogger. I was left with over 800 imported but not converted files in all. I'm working on it!
That said, I may reference an old post now and then. It's been enlightening and nostalgic converting the old files. I have well less than 10 pages left to convert. Full of fun; full of memories; full of living.
Must be something on the wind dear friend. I've felt that pull myself and am going "back" to blogging. I miss multiply often. I miss you. Peace
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