Are you one of those people who are online (via cell or computer) during most waking hours? Do you ever wonder what some of your friends and family are up to, or where they are, but don’t feel like calling or emailing to find out?  If so, I highly recommend that you either sign up for a free Twitter account or find out which of your loved ones and buddies already use the service so you can follow them.

I casually refer to Twitter as ‘cyber-stalking with permission,’ but in reality it is a quick social networking message system. When you have an account, you have up to 140 characters to answer the question, “What are you doing?” in real-time, as often as you like. Some people offer very specific and personal details, while others are purposefully mysterious or controversial. You also have the option to reply to someone’s update, often resulting in a tweetversation.

Here are just a few favorites from the hundreds I follow:

Whitney Matheson: USA Today columnist (Pop Candy)
Greg Grunberg & Brea Grant: Heroes actors
J.R. Orci: writer/producer, Fringe
Jesse Alexander: writer/producer, Alias/Lost/Heroes
Mo Ryan: Chicago Tribune columnist (The Watcher)
TheODI, DocArzt & DarkUFO & Ryan from The Transmission: Lost scoop
DuckyDoesTV, GiveMeMyRemote, Ramblings of a TV Whore, theTVaddict: TV bloggers
SlashFilm, FirstShowing, Cinematical, AintItCool: movie news, interviews
Brill, Hanh, Rick, Andy, Sarah, Ryan, Korbi:  Zap2It TV team

You have the option to link Twitter to your Facebook status updates, but I’m not a fan of that particular option for my page (I update far less on Facebook). On my iPhone, I use the free application Twitteriffic to catch up and post new updates on the go. 

If you’re interested in following me, feel free to bookmark my Twitter profile: http://twitter.com/jopinionated. If you already have an account or create a new one, make sure to click ‘follow’ under my LOST icon (and I will follow you in return).

When in doubt, exercise caution before drunk-tweeting or sharing specific work and life details via Twitter. Before I post anything, I keep in mind that my mom follows me; it can be a tad disconcerting to receive calls from her with a specific question about or statement regarding something I forgot that I had posted on Twitter…but it is one of the many ways for her to keep in touch and involved from across the country.

So…do you tweet, and if so – who do you enjoy following on Twitter?

What the hell is Twitter? It’s kind of like cyber-stalking, but with permission.

Officially:
Twitter is a service for friends, family and co-workers to communicate
and stay connected through the exchange of quick, frequent answers to
one simple question: What are you doing?

As REM would say, “follow me, don’t follow me.” Your choice.

I’ve had a MySpace page for almost two years now, and I’ve made some great virtual acquaintances who primarily share my interests in television, film, music and general pop culture. Like most people, I find MySpace to be fairly addictive; I constantly update my profile, subscribe to and read numerous blogs, and scroll through my friends’ pages. But here are the two main reasons I really enjoy MySpace: 1) a wider audience for my blog; I am able to post my entries there, and have added a large number of Lost fans to my distribution list as a result, and 2) many writers and actors from my favorite shows maintain their own pages and blogs, and that kind of accessibility is quite a treat for true fans.

Recently, my 17 year old niece suggested that I also create a Facebook page (thanks, Mags!).  I was initially hesitant because, in all honesty, I thought I was too old. However, after perusing various pages and noticing that far more of my college friends are on Facebook than MySpace, I decided to take the plunge. Besides, I love discovering fellow Lost friends from all corners, and Facebook provides me with new opportunities to do so.

Right now my Facebook page is under construction, and I’m not a fan of the layout and format just yet (at least compared to MySpace).  But I would love to add new friends to both Facebook and MySpace. If you’re a member of either and enjoy this blog and/or Lost, add me as a friend! I open every invite to see what we have in common, and only deny those that are obvious spam, porn or from a band/musician that isn’t up my alley (i.e. hair metal).

Facebook
MySpace

If you’re not on either social network or you’d like to be added to my Lost distribution list (to receive weekly Lost theories & thoughts following each episode, beginning with next week’s Season 4 premiere), simply send me an email to jo@jopinionated.com with the word LOST in the subject line.