Pining for Pinterest

First off, let me just get something out of the way: The word “pining,” used ever so deftly in this article’s title, reminds me of a Monty Python sketch. ”Pining for the fjords?!” (around 1:35)

Also, “Beaut-e-full plumage.” Yeah, that one was just a freebie.

Now, back to our regularly scheduled Geekery.

I finally succumbed to the temptation of one of the fastest growing social media platforms of the day: Pinterest.

He doesn't want to hold that kid. He distrusts that kid. But, he knows he should want to hold the kid, right? It's a plot. Image courtesy of http://www.dailymail.co.uk

I have been keeping a wary eye on it, much like a single person beholds a mewling infant: with general distrust, but a sense of “It can’t be all bad.”

But, much like the decision to have children, Pinterest is turning into a glorious time-suck. All of you pinners know exactly what I’m talking about.

(By the way, I have children…well, almost “children.” Right now, all I have is “child.” The second is on her way. Didn’t know that? Well, check out my geeky nursery series here, here, and here!)

Before I joined, it was described to me as “Google images on crack.” A fine, apt description, I must say! And just like finding some illicit drug (of which I have no experience, I’m sure you know), getting onto Pinterest requires you to “know a guy.”

You have to have an invitation to join Pinterest! Is there another popular social network that requires this? Not that I know of. And here’s the thing: Rather than being off-putting, the requirement to be invited makes the site more desirable. It makes Pinterest the exclusive club that everyone is in but you!

Know someone on the inside? You can request an invite from them. But, do you really want to admit you haven’t been cool enough to already have joined? If that’s the case, you can be like me and just request a general invite from the site itself.

I received this email from a guy named Brad saying that I was on a waiting list.

Wait, what? A waiting list?!

I’m at the velvet rope, posing for the door guy, swearing I already have some friends inside.

It took a couple of days, but, then…another email arrived.

[Pause for appropriate length of suspense-building time]

Brad had written me again! He, along with his ambiguous Pinterest team, told me that I was all cleared to join Pinterest! No background check! No urine sample!

Just a waiting period designed to prick your human nature and desire for inclusion. Crafty Pinterest is crafty.

Once you’re in, you’re in, trolling through zillions of pictures pinned by fellow addicts.

Looking for a new hairstyle? No problem! Just search the term, and a plethora of sane, insane, and cracker-jack hair-related concoctions appear. It’s like that with any subject you can think of.

Totally what I looked like. Also, pinned to my Hairstyles board. Not really. Image courtesy of http://spongecurlersandcupcakes.blogspot.com.

My first night on Pinterest, I had an out-of-body experience. I could feel the time slipping away as my ethereal self floated up and turned to regard my slack-jawed visage. In the darkened room, images could be seen reflecting off my glassy eyes as I stared at my laptop.

Finally, my ghost self looked at the clock, saw the time, and slugged my body in the face.

Whoa. Two hours gone!

I had made several boards and looked through galaxies full of pictures. I was hooked. I’ll admit it.

By the way, you can follow me at http://pinterest.com/gebjohnston/. One of my boards is The Cool Ship themed. You know THAT’S going to be awesome.

Are you into Pinterest? Let me guess, you were on it before it was popular, right? (Hipster joke) Let me know who I should follow!