Fourteen years ago, writer/actor/director Christopher Guest made a little movie called “Best in Show”, supposedly a movie about dog shows, but more accurately a very funny movie about people who show dogs. The film was eagerly anticipated in the dog show world, since many of us knew which dogs of each breed had been chosen to represent their kind at the penultimate show, a spoof of the upcoming Westminster Kennel Club extravaganza happening in New York City next week. When the film premiered, murmurs of disappointment echoed through the hallowed halls of the AKC and crescendoed into harrumphs of “We’re not like THAT!” Ever the klutzy owner-handler, I stood on the sidelines thinking, “Oh yes you ARE!”
Today, thanks to Facebook, I experienced a deja-vu of that moment when I watched my very own Facebook movie. For the few holdouts reading this who eschew the “social media”, Facebook describes itself as “a social utility that connects people with friends and others who live, study and work around them.” For many people, “around them” today literally means the whole world, and folks with interests in common, say, Scottish Deerhounds or thimble collecting, find themselves as fast Facebook friends with likeminded ladies and gents around the globe. In honor of Facebook’s tenth anniversary, the shadow minions of Mark Zuckerberg decided to celebrate by making a movie of each of our very own lives.
The movies starting rolling in on my news feed late last night, and finally this morning, I could stand it no longer—I hit the little arrow indicating the start of my personal Facebook Odyssey. Exactly one minute and two seconds later, I had to greet the contractor working on my house with tears streaming down my face. My life was before me–so “poignant”, so “in the moment”, so “true.” Or so my Facebook friends said. It was only after the second or third viewing that I began to realize that my movie was all about three things, in descending order of frequency: my dogs, my Dad, and my youngest son. But especially about my dogs. By the end of the day, I noticed more and more comments from my Deerhound friends that their own movies were dominated by their dogs. “Where are all my people?” one friend asked. “Maybe the little computer elves making the movies just happen to LOVE Scottish Deerhounds,” I joked.
At last viewing, I found myself asking the same question. Where are all my people—my husband and my two older children? Where are the horses? Where are my colleagues? Where is my belated and much missed cat Timmy Tom, and where the heck is my red Corvette? It was then that I had my Best in Show moment. If my Facebook flick says it’s all about the dogs and Dad, then maybe it is…perhaps just a little bit too much. Maybe I need a psychiatrist. But maybe, just maybe, I need to spend a little less time on Facebook and a little more time on what matters most—living life. I’d best get on with it.
Three cheers and a perpetual standing O, Dr. Fielding. You’ve given yourself mightily to others–four-legged and two–now let us give a little back to you. Sail on, with our love. Be healthy and happy. Write when you can. You do write so well. R, and all
I, too, was relieved to see that the deerhounds were less than 60% of my little FB video. But that’s still a lot!
Our dogs are photogenic, and non-threatening, and a way to connect with a lot of people. I think that’s why it’s easy to put up photos about our dogs.
I DO have a very full life outside the dogs but my life has been dramatically changed by having deerhounds for over 30 years. Not just for the interactions with my dogs. More importantly for ALL the amazing people I have met through deerhounds.
And of course you are one of those people, Miranda.
I was surprised that my video was all about my grandson, my only grandchild. My spouse died a little over a year ago and I do think my life revolves around this precious child but it also pointed out to me that I need to broaden my horizons; I used to paint, I used to write and they were things important to me. Thanks to Facebook I see I am living my life for others and need to get back to my own pleasures now and then. I do think the videos show us as others see us. What an incredible marketing tool for facebook.
Loved that movie, Best In Show! I also loved my Facebook video but realize it was made by someone who doesn’t even know me.
Since you have so many deerhound friends around the world, maybe those posts get the most response on your FB page & that’s probably how the pics were chosen. Who can resist a cute animal pic?! I’m sure your husband & children understand. By the way, were you in their FB movie??
These movies are indeed little gifts. I am glad you did yours! I hesitated at first and then was reluctant to share. Once I did I started composing a blog about it as well. I am not very good at “reflecting” on the past. These little movies contain a bit more that what I expected. I assume they are put together by algorithms, which makes this ever more fascinating! Thanks for blogging about it.
OK, the Facebook newbie admits it – I’m jealous that I have no FB movie, but I thoroughly enjoyed watching yours and took no offense that the handsome dogs overshadowed the people in your life! We know you love us anyways. Watching yours and my friends’ movies did make me pause and take stock of my life for a minute. I agree with you – let’s just go live it. love, Pam