Distractions from the ways of the world, is the excuse some people have for getting involved with the lives of those who find solace in the mechanisms of chatting online. But, I have to question why some people put so much emotion into, what seems to be nothing more than, "soap opera" drama for the World Wide Web?

When I first allowed myself to get caught up in this crazy online life, I was ten years younger and was very interested in learning about other people. Not their sexual intimacies but, the different cultures of people who are so diverse in the expanse of our tiny planet. Yes, that may sound silly but, it is the truth. I do love learning about people and how their diversity makes them unique from me.

In the beginning, it took getting used to all the little codes which are used for chatting. LOL - of course means, "laugh out loud". BFF - means "best friends forever". DK - means, "don't know". These are a few examples of the numerous codes which are out there.

Another thing which required learning was how to make emotional icons. In order to make these you had to know what the different characters on your keyboard would stand for. Such as using a colon then a right parenthesis {:)] to create a "smiley face". Also using a colon then a left parenthesis {:(} to create a "sad smiley face."

But, to me, people got too emotionally involved with those who they "talked" with online. People fought as if they were going to face each other in a stand off to the death. Cursing became a means to tell others "how you really felt." People fell in love and out of love, at the drop of a hat. Affairs online has led many people who have been married for several years, to simply leave their mates and families to begin lives with the partner they chatted with online. Most of these relationships hardly last.

People still live messenger chat today. But, it does not seem to be what it used to be. It has simmered down and is not as "trendy" as it once was. I hope if you have never chatted this way and decide you want to try it, you remember to keep it in
perspective. It is entertainment. Plain and simple.