I think I know why I am so fascinated by networking sites and projects that revolve around staying connected. I’m a big fan of transparency with people. I enjoy having that sense of knowing the person is real and tangible, someone you could contact and find they are exactly the same as what you read. What you see is what you get. No strings attached and no need for fancy writing or false publicity hype. You can hear or see things straight from the source, taking a walk in their shoes.

This is why I could spend hours on blogs, Facebook, Twitter, Flickr, MySpace, and so on. Whether it is people I know in person, over the internet, or perhaps just through television or music — if they have a personal profile on these sites, I can get to know them and see life through their eyes. And I love that…in a completely non-stalkerish sort of way. ha. I just love meeting new people and getting to know them. Plus if you happen to meet these people in person or shoot them an e-mail, you already know what to expect because there isn’t some fake facade that you might find through other mediums (depending on the person and their job).

This has always been what I’ve tried to achieve through my website and various profiles on sites around the internet. I’ve always strived to have a level of transparency so what you see really is what you get. And I suppose that is why I have been so intrigued by these various networking websites over the years. They are new ways for me to communicate myself to other people online so they can get to know me and make our relationship more personable.

I really don’t want to be just another name in cyberspace. And now, thanks to the various sites, look at what I can get across:

- This blog lets me speak my mind and tell you what I’m up to. It also allows me to share with you various things I find throughout the web.
- Twitter lets me share with you what I am doing up to the minute/hour, every day.
- Flickr lets you see what I have seen through photos.
- Networking sites like MySpace and Facebook allow us to communicate quicker and easier while allows us to meet each other’s friends in the process.

With the exception of Flickr, which I pay $30 a year for unlimited everything (well worth the upgrade from the very limited free version), all of these sites are completely free. And with them at my disposal, plus a few others that I am currently considering trying, anyone who has interest can see what I’m like as a person with no strings attached. Of course, whether they like it or not is a different story altogether. ha. That being said, I can also get to know others in the same fashion. It’s awesome. It’s like we are all connected and now anyone can have their own personable presence online should they choose to.

Anyway, that’s my rambling for now. Hopefully it gives you an idea as to why I keep experimenting with these new sites and love trying them out. Sure, I love playing with them, but it is also so you guys can learn more about about the guy behind the screen. There are literally thousands of you who read this site and I hope these new tools give you some extra content to have fun with.

Rock on.

P.S. I uploaded pictures from the U2 concert I attended in 2005 on my Flickr profile. It was an amazing show and we had great seats. Check them out and comment away. Here are a few teaser pics: