The author, a self-proclaimed "not very technical" person, decided to explore the power of graph technology by storing their own Facebook data in a neo4j database. To start, they used a tool called "Give me my data" to download their social network data from Facebook in a workable format, specifically the Mutual Friends Network Graph. The author then generated Cypher statements using spreadsheet wizardry to import the data into a neo4j graph database. After configuring auto-indexing and executing the Cypher statements in a transaction, they were able to create a basic social network graph in their neo4j database. The author notes that this process is relatively easy and provides a starting point for exploring graph databases and creating social network applications.