Something is happening to me that I never saw coming. I'm becoming addicted to Facebook.

I've always been obsessive about e-mail. As soon as I hear that little "ding" that indicates an incoming message, I'm compelled to open and read it. Even if I can tell it's obviously a solicitation from Sears or a payment reminder from Chase, I can't let it sit there in bold type. It's just one of my many quirks.

And now I'm also finding myself drawn to check my Facebook page several times a day, just to see if there are new comments by my friends or family members. I love looking at my friends' photos or seeing the results of a cousin's "15 Favorite Books" list. And I'm afraid I've spent way too much time choosing and giving Flair (little virtual slogan buttons) and arranging my own Flair on my online bulletin board.

All very trivial, non-essential activities, to be sure. A pure waste of time.

But I also enjoy being able to read about the many small yet telling activities my Facebook friends report. Sometimes Courtney will inspire me with a new recipe, or James will post photos of a famous musician he met. Sami likes sharing famous quotations while Rick provides an insightful analysis of the latest M's game or player trade. Stephanie, who's writing her first book, shares the agony of editing her manuscript, and Mindy's posts let me keep up with her nursing school progress down in California.

I treasure these little glimpses into my loved ones' daily lives. The events might not warrant a long-distance telephone call, but the Facebook updates help me feel more connected to the people who are important to me.

And let's face it. We all need a little down time in our busy lives. If that involves taking a quiz to find out which Harry Potter character you most resemble, or creating a "Mad Men" avatar, so be it. Sometimes wasted time is productive in ways that aren't obvious.

That's my story and I'm sticking to it.

P.S. If you'd like to see my Facebook profile, visit www.facebook.com/beckyejo.

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