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Facebook, one of the top social-networking websites, has a feature that allows you to update your contacts on what you’re doing, minute-by-minute. It’s how I kept tabs on my friends and family (thanks, Blackberry). Some updates were infuriating, some funny, some informative. Below are five unique quotes from my contacts list on what they were doing during Gustav.

On Sunday, Aug. 31, 5:46 p.m. "Alex just heard the ice-cream truck, even as every other store in town is closed for the storm." Thanks for the heads-up, Alex. I surely will keep my antennae perked for this guy throughout the storm.

On Tuesday evening, Sept. 2 "Gina is tired from riding roller-coasters in Branson. Tomorrow, Kansas City, Mo." This was good news because Gina evacuated New Orleans for Katrina, stayed with her parents in Sulphur for a few days before she had to evacuate again for Rita. She moved to Baton Rouge for a year and longed for New Orleans. She finally got the opportunity to move back to the Crescent City, what she considered her real home. I’m happy that she evacuated New Orleans again and had the time of her life. She deserved it.

On Tuesday, at 6:11 p.m. "Jaime is getting ready for a 90210 premiere party tonight!!!" Jaime is an ex-pat who now resides in Houston and apparently has some nerve. Note to self: If Ike turns Houston upside down, I promise not to brag about how oblivious I am to what my friends are facing in their city.

On Sunday, Sept. 7, at 12:29 p.m. "Marisa just got power. You should have heard all of the neighbors cheering from their homes and the street!" Happy news, especially when it’s coming from a neighbor of mine.

On Wednesday, Sept. 10, 8:29 a.m. "Josh is still living by candlelight and mosquito bites." My heart goes out to Josh and the many people still without electricity who are “camping out” inside their homes without a generator.

Were you connected with online friends during the storm? What were some hot quotes you heard? How did it help you?