Facebook status updates

I'm really tired and am meant to be going through my sample class for tomorrow with a cuppa in bed. Jonny is on his way back from a United victory (at last) in Manchester.

I have, however, just made a discovery that may just help to make my days a little better. You can filter your news feed on Facebook.

I like to use Facebook mainly to keep up with friends who are overseas. However, just logging on can sometimes really upset me, for various reasons. People don't always think when posting status updates or whatever, that some of their "friends" may not need to hear that. I know I am not alone in this. Whatever is going on in your life, if it hasn't gone the way you hoped, then logging on to check your emails can result in having to see, well, stuff. And this can happen at bad moments when you are feeling isolated enough as it is, without having to read about ..... [insert whatever it is that you don't need to hear]

Anyway. There is a way round this. You can go to your "friends list" and create a list. A list of whoevers updates you know won't upset you. Then on the home page you can just select to see the updates of those you have chosen to find out about.

Perfect. No need to ditch any "friends." But also a way to protect oneself from the less sensitive. Highly recommended to those who need to do this. Like I say, I know for a fact that I am not alone.

And no. I'm not telling you if you made it onto my "safe" list.

Facebook Status Update Colours

It is the latest thing for Facebook users to do apparently. Well, only if you are female or a cross dressing male. Update your status by just posting the colour of the bra you are wearing. The reason - to raise "awareness" of breast cancer.

My immediate response to this is confusion. Confusion because I really don't see how posting the colour of your bra on the worldwide web is increasing awareness of the disease. Maybe if the point was that you have checked yourself then that would be better. But just blanket "awareness" seems to only serve to show how little people actually understand about what is helpful for both those who do and don't have breast cancer. And not considering how the people who do have breast cancer may feel about people letting everyone know what colour bra they are wearing as some sort of "support."

I think I'm also somewhat miffed as it is that classic ignorant frenzy to "make it pretty" and dare I say in this case, even "make it sexy." Please. Let me assure you that spending your days on cancer wards and dealing with the far reaching impact of this disease is anything but sexy. I actually find that pretty insulting.

If you do want to post the colour of the bra you are wearing on facebook then make it a statement that you have examined yourself for lumps or changes in your breasts. Properly. Or reach out to someone you know affected by this disease by dropping them a text or an card or something instead. Or even better donate a few pence or pounds into targeted research to find the longed for cure.

Think before you Pink.