An Interest in Pinterest

  
 I need an intervention.

I’m addicted to Pinterest.com. I can’t seem to control my impulse to just “take a quick peek” at the latest social networking site. In case you don’t know about Pinterest, I’ll share the explanation I found on the world’s most trusted authority—Wikipedia.

    “Pinterest is a pinboard-style social photo-sharing website that allows users to create and manage theme-based image collections such as events, interests, hobbies and more.”

In other words, it’s a place where you can see cool stuff. And it’s updated constantly so there’s always something new to see. According to Wiki, it’s one of fastest growing social services in the world, with 11.7 million visitors. Not surprisingly, 83% of the site's users are females ranging in age from 34 to 44. I’m a little over that demographic, but then I’ve always been immature for my age.

    A “friend” turned me on to Pinterest about a year ago, and since then I’ve checked the site more often than I check my email. Before Pinterest, I used to spend what little free time I had doing something worthwhile, like playing Drawing with Friends, texting my kids, updating my Facebook page, and reading the latest news on TMZ.

Pinterest has replaced all of that.

    Unfortunately, while the site is fun to visit, it’s also very addicting. Thanks to Pinterest, I now own four pairs of Tom’s shoes (buy one, send one to a needy child), I’ve tried numerous new recipes (like Cake Mix Rice Krispie Squares), I’ve painted my nails to look like Angry Birds  (mostly they just look angry), I’ve learned how to dress like a Disney Princess (Snow White, in a yellow top, blue shorts, and red Tom’s), I know what to do with leftover Peeps (turn them into Peep S’mores), and I’ve cut up a perfectly good t-shirt in an attempt to make it a shawl (mine looks like a cut-up t-shirt).

    Yes, there’s a plethora of information on Pinterest—How to make Pumpkin-Nutella-Jack Daniel Cupcakes, How to Hard Boil Eggs in the Oven, How to Use Glow Sticks in the Tub so Your Kids Will Take a Bath, and so many other ideas, I wouldn’t have time to try them all in my lifetime, let alone “repin” them.

    So why is the site so addicting? Maybe it’s because I’m bound to find important tips on making a hostess gift (stuff a bottle of wine in a Sock Monkey), creating beautiful artwork (out of melted crayons), whipping up a snack for the grandkids (Hot Dog/Noodle Octopus), and announcing my engagement to my next husband with Scrabble pieces (so far no need). The list goes on forever.

It’s only when you realize that you haven’t eaten for days (not even Cake Mix Rice Krispie Squares), haven’t gotten dressed (in that T-shirt/scarf), and haven’t turned off Pinterest since you logged on days ago, that you realize you need help.

Please feel free to join me at a P.A. meeting, where we can share stories of our addiction (and tips for making Sweet Potato Boats), enjoy some real-time social interaction (and “like” each other), and rid ourselves of this insidious disease called Neurotic Infectious Pinterism (PIN spelled backward).

I’ll be there as soon as I’m done getting a tattoo on my backside that looks like Ryan Gosling.