Being a Voyeur to an Awkward Virtual Moment

story about James Dinan, former colleague, who once became the 13th zero dollar winner on Who Wants to Be a Millionaire.

this is what he wrote, and what I first noticed ...

Earlier today, I posted a status update on Facebook that I thought was humorous, but which I now realize was embarrassing and hurtful to my wife. That was not my intent, and I certainly did not mean to write something that would make my wife feel horrible. I apologize for not thinking before typing, and pretty much making a fool of myself online. And I apologize to Susanne, who doesn't deserve the grief.

Continued -- Always be careful when it comes to what you type -- too many people write too many updates that can be deemed embarrassing to some. You guys may have done that, and I did just that today.

that part stayed up and was referring to an earlier exchange of Facebookness wall and comments. It obviously piqued my interest so I scrolled down and lo and behold, it was initially still there ...

The initial comment was that his wife was stopped but not ticketed for what an officer called a "wide turn." "All these years", James wrote on his wall, "and I didn't know wifey drove an 18-wheeler to work."

To which wifey responded after ranting he had made a bad day worse by publicly shaming her ... "I loathe facebook and what it has done to you."

A virtual facebook Jerry Springer episode so to speak ...

But at least it informs and holds some transparency, to be certain.

Is transparency a good goal? Perhaps ... Am I a good facebook friend? perhaps not.

I guess etiquette virtual or not and sensibilities of "wifey" are to be learned over and over.