The Twits may have finally done it. According to a story in today's NYTimes, self-absorbed twitters (tweeters?) enthusiastically exclaiming their current social exploits have prompted follower-backlash. “Enough, Already,” said the Times' headline.
“Twitter users are tiring of it: the sharp pang of envy that comes when someone they are following....is clearly having a better time they they are – right now,” writes The Times.
Don't you feel sorry for the followers? Poor posters, left behind while their fellow twits are twittering around the world. “It feels like high school,” tweeted one journalism professor quoted by The Times. “All the cool kids are at a cool party and I'm home on a Friday night,” she (figuratively) sobbed.
I, tweetless, am delighted at this development. I can't think of a greater waste of time than reporting to the world your every social activity and/or observation. Are there that many people who really care what you're doing at every moment or what you think about this or that?
I understand Twitter and Facebook users may have contributed significantly to organizing some of the recent democratic movements in the Middle East. More power to them. I see that as an effective use of media in shaping local, state or world events.
But I fail to see the contribution of all the inconsequential blather that fills the tweetways. I'm hoping for a fast growth-spurt out of adolescence for the tweeterati.
Saturday, March 19, 2011
Friday, March 18, 2011
School's Out!
We went to lunch today at our local deli and walked into a scene of controlled chaos. The place was jumping with middle-schoolers. Unbeknownst to us,our schools had a half-day session and half the local school kids were swarming around the counter ordering everything from hot dogs, chicken fingers, hamburgers, sodas, fries and soft drinks.
The sound level was rock-concert high without the music as the kids draped themselves over the tables, jammed into booths and shared chairs as only young girls could. We loved the energy exploding around us.
The line at the counter was 20-deep at times. And behind the counter, of course, were the proprietors, calmly taking orders, taking cash and making change while the staff delivered food to booths and tables, including ours, by the way.
My wife, having taught in our school system for more than 25 years, loved every minute of our lunch break, particularly since she no longer has to deal with this horde in the classroom.
The kids were wonderfully well-behaved. We loved every one of them, the short, the tall, the skinny and not so skinny, but mostly the enthusiasm they had for one another. It was so “our town.”
Good Heavens, we realized, these are our future leaders.
Bless them.
The sound level was rock-concert high without the music as the kids draped themselves over the tables, jammed into booths and shared chairs as only young girls could. We loved the energy exploding around us.
The line at the counter was 20-deep at times. And behind the counter, of course, were the proprietors, calmly taking orders, taking cash and making change while the staff delivered food to booths and tables, including ours, by the way.
My wife, having taught in our school system for more than 25 years, loved every minute of our lunch break, particularly since she no longer has to deal with this horde in the classroom.
The kids were wonderfully well-behaved. We loved every one of them, the short, the tall, the skinny and not so skinny, but mostly the enthusiasm they had for one another. It was so “our town.”
Good Heavens, we realized, these are our future leaders.
Bless them.
Thursday, March 17, 2011
Forget Something?
We're not talking about serious stuff here but we all tend to forget things from time to time.
The other day I was almost out the door on the way to the gym when I realized I didn't have my "stuff." Said stuff included my water bottle, iPod, workout gloves (or whatever you call them), a towel and my ID tag to get in. The point is, I did remember it all at the last minute, averting a minor inconvenience.
This morning a friend accidentally locked his car keys in his car outside his doctor's office. He thought he had put them in his pocket but they fell to the seat alongside him instead. Fortunately the motor was not running. A good Samaritan waited at his car for the AAA to recover his keys while he walked to another medical appointment nearby.
Some years ago I locked my keys in the car with the motor running while I went to the dentist. Didn't notice it until I came out and then had to wait almost an hour for the AAA to resolve the situation. I don't think I was a serial forgetter at that time.
Here's another one. The mail came today and on top of the pile was an unaddressed envelope with a stamp and our return address in the upper left hand corner. It was a birthday card mailed yesterday without being addressed. That oversight was corrected today and the card will still get there in time.
Did you ever forget where you put something in the house? Drives you crazy until you find it exactly where you left it in the first place.
We've developed a technique that works most times. Before leaving the house or even a room, we look behind us. It's not foolproof. I can walk right past something that should be taken and not realize it until my wife asks: "Do you have....?" Oops, back to the house.
Last night was a doozie. I went up and down stairs three times. First, to retrieve the book I was reading. Second to get my cell phone which turned out to be on the table right next to where the retrieved book had been. And third, to check the garage door because my wife couldn't remember if she had closed it. She had.
Given the state of the universe I'm grateful I can still go up and down stairs as often as necessary.
Remember that.
The other day I was almost out the door on the way to the gym when I realized I didn't have my "stuff." Said stuff included my water bottle, iPod, workout gloves (or whatever you call them), a towel and my ID tag to get in. The point is, I did remember it all at the last minute, averting a minor inconvenience.
This morning a friend accidentally locked his car keys in his car outside his doctor's office. He thought he had put them in his pocket but they fell to the seat alongside him instead. Fortunately the motor was not running. A good Samaritan waited at his car for the AAA to recover his keys while he walked to another medical appointment nearby.
Some years ago I locked my keys in the car with the motor running while I went to the dentist. Didn't notice it until I came out and then had to wait almost an hour for the AAA to resolve the situation. I don't think I was a serial forgetter at that time.
Here's another one. The mail came today and on top of the pile was an unaddressed envelope with a stamp and our return address in the upper left hand corner. It was a birthday card mailed yesterday without being addressed. That oversight was corrected today and the card will still get there in time.
Did you ever forget where you put something in the house? Drives you crazy until you find it exactly where you left it in the first place.
We've developed a technique that works most times. Before leaving the house or even a room, we look behind us. It's not foolproof. I can walk right past something that should be taken and not realize it until my wife asks: "Do you have....?" Oops, back to the house.
Last night was a doozie. I went up and down stairs three times. First, to retrieve the book I was reading. Second to get my cell phone which turned out to be on the table right next to where the retrieved book had been. And third, to check the garage door because my wife couldn't remember if she had closed it. She had.
Given the state of the universe I'm grateful I can still go up and down stairs as often as necessary.
Remember that.
Wednesday, March 16, 2011
Press 3 for Slowspeak
Of all the annoyances inflicted on us by voicemail what tops my list is when a real person finally comes to the phone and speaks so fast I have to ask her to slow down so I can understand what she's saying.
I say 'she" because invariably it's a woman, and by the sound of the voice, a young woman. Where do they learn to speak so quickly? Ever overhear teenagers talking to one another? Can you understand what they're saying? Actually, it makes no difference because they're not talking to you anyway.
It's the speed of the words pouring forth. I realize my hearing isn't what it used to be but, hey, give me a break. I was listening to an all-news station on the car radio today and the female announcer zipped through her spiel so fast I couldn't make out if she was giving me news or a commercial.
A fast delivery is one of the reasons people repeat things they thought they heard on the news when, in fact, the announcer might have said something entirely different.
While I can't slow down a news broadcaster, I'm not embarrassed to ask a customer service rep to slow down when answering my questions. What good is the "service" if you can't comprehend it?
Just because we have speed dialing on our telephones doesn't mean we have to have speed talking on the other end.
I say 'she" because invariably it's a woman, and by the sound of the voice, a young woman. Where do they learn to speak so quickly? Ever overhear teenagers talking to one another? Can you understand what they're saying? Actually, it makes no difference because they're not talking to you anyway.
It's the speed of the words pouring forth. I realize my hearing isn't what it used to be but, hey, give me a break. I was listening to an all-news station on the car radio today and the female announcer zipped through her spiel so fast I couldn't make out if she was giving me news or a commercial.
A fast delivery is one of the reasons people repeat things they thought they heard on the news when, in fact, the announcer might have said something entirely different.
While I can't slow down a news broadcaster, I'm not embarrassed to ask a customer service rep to slow down when answering my questions. What good is the "service" if you can't comprehend it?
Just because we have speed dialing on our telephones doesn't mean we have to have speed talking on the other end.
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
"I Can Stand," thank you
Our day in New York City started on a very sweet but unsettling note. As we moved to the rear of our 42nd St., cross-town bus a man stood up and offered my wife his seat and THEN, a sweet young woman sitting next to him got up and insisted I take her seat. Wow! Who said New Yorkers were not polite?
The flip side, however, was we didn't think we looked that OLD. But to young eyes I guess we do. Pleased as we were by the courtesies of these two nice people, it gave us pause. I thought about getting a lapel buttong that shouts "I CAN STAND, THANK YOU." On second thought that would be rude.
Actually we soon realized we weren't as spry as we thought we were. I've worked in NYC most of my life and I've always felt a surge of energy when I exited the Port Authority Bus Terminal onto Eighth Avenue. I automatically quicken my pace and start weaving in and out of tourists and other slow pokes.
My wife, not so much, anymore. She constantly has to slow me down so she can keep up. One time, I was talking on my cell to my grand-daughter, who we were meeting in mid town, when I started walking across the street. Suddenly I heard a familiar voice. "Hey, you left me standing on the sidewalk." Guess who?
But it was a successful day. We met our accountant and took care of our 2010 Income Tax return. Then met said grand-daughter for a moment in front of the Madison Avenue art gallery where she is an intern. And THEN found a wonderful restaurant for lunch. Noisy, bustly, immediate seating, great food at reasonable prices. And this in mid-town Manhattan. Unbelievable.
A leisurely stroll (we seem to do that a lot, don't we) down Madison to 42nd, through Bryant Park, across 41st St. to the PA and bus home.
Very nice.
The flip side, however, was we didn't think we looked that OLD. But to young eyes I guess we do. Pleased as we were by the courtesies of these two nice people, it gave us pause. I thought about getting a lapel buttong that shouts "I CAN STAND, THANK YOU." On second thought that would be rude.
Actually we soon realized we weren't as spry as we thought we were. I've worked in NYC most of my life and I've always felt a surge of energy when I exited the Port Authority Bus Terminal onto Eighth Avenue. I automatically quicken my pace and start weaving in and out of tourists and other slow pokes.
My wife, not so much, anymore. She constantly has to slow me down so she can keep up. One time, I was talking on my cell to my grand-daughter, who we were meeting in mid town, when I started walking across the street. Suddenly I heard a familiar voice. "Hey, you left me standing on the sidewalk." Guess who?
But it was a successful day. We met our accountant and took care of our 2010 Income Tax return. Then met said grand-daughter for a moment in front of the Madison Avenue art gallery where she is an intern. And THEN found a wonderful restaurant for lunch. Noisy, bustly, immediate seating, great food at reasonable prices. And this in mid-town Manhattan. Unbelievable.
A leisurely stroll (we seem to do that a lot, don't we) down Madison to 42nd, through Bryant Park, across 41st St. to the PA and bus home.
Very nice.
Monday, March 14, 2011
Bonus Days
There are days that we just let "unfold," as my wife likes to say. That means we have no agenda.
We get up when we want, have a leisurely breakfast, read the papers, take care of some minor household chores, if any, and, if the weather is nice, take a walk around our local park.
Once around the lake is a mile-and-a-quarter. We either stroll or try for a more aerobic pace. In either case I frequently feel a slight tug on my left arm so we can walk together.
If the sun is out, we pick out a bench and sit awhile. People-watching is fun but dog-watching is more fun. We see dogs of all sizes and shapes. Some are even carried in chest slings and we've seen small dogs being pushed in strollers.
I love it when the little dogs pick on a big one and yap at it. Biggie usually looks amazed (confused?) at the audacity but no harm is done.
The quickest way to start a conversation with a stranger is to comment about their dog (positively, of course). Praising someone's child also is a good conversation starter. Naturally, they're all adorable.
Then it's time to go home and relax, as if that's not what we've been doing all along.
It's a "bonus day."
We get up when we want, have a leisurely breakfast, read the papers, take care of some minor household chores, if any, and, if the weather is nice, take a walk around our local park.
Once around the lake is a mile-and-a-quarter. We either stroll or try for a more aerobic pace. In either case I frequently feel a slight tug on my left arm so we can walk together.
If the sun is out, we pick out a bench and sit awhile. People-watching is fun but dog-watching is more fun. We see dogs of all sizes and shapes. Some are even carried in chest slings and we've seen small dogs being pushed in strollers.
I love it when the little dogs pick on a big one and yap at it. Biggie usually looks amazed (confused?) at the audacity but no harm is done.
The quickest way to start a conversation with a stranger is to comment about their dog (positively, of course). Praising someone's child also is a good conversation starter. Naturally, they're all adorable.
Then it's time to go home and relax, as if that's not what we've been doing all along.
It's a "bonus day."
Sunday, March 13, 2011
The Old Man and the PC
It's hard but I'm not giving up. It may take many tries but eventually I get to where I'm going on line even though my wife will often say: fuggetaboutit.
Two recent examples:
I had to change my account information on E-ZPass. So I entered my account number and password. Error message pops up, wrong data. Re-enter same data, same error. Fourth time I enter same data and this time it accepts. Mission accomplished after much gnashing of teeth.
How about this one: This afternoon, I tried to set up an account on Stub Hub to buy tickets to a Yankees game in June. Filled out email address and a password and then had to enter "country." I selected "United States."
Sorry, PC doesn't recognize this country. Please enter a country. What? The United States is no longer a country?
Called my son who is a successful Stub Hub user. He advised me to call Stub Hub directly and maybe they can complete the process over the phone, i.e., set up an account, buy tickets.
Did that. Here's the Stub Rub. The nice man at the other end of the phone couldn't find the tickets I selected although they were on the screen in front of me. And while he continued searching for them, I, with phone in one hand, used the other to re-enter all the account data requested. Including, by the way, the country of the United States.
Account opened, tickets purchased. Looking forward to the game.
That's what I call muddling.
Two recent examples:
I had to change my account information on E-ZPass. So I entered my account number and password. Error message pops up, wrong data. Re-enter same data, same error. Fourth time I enter same data and this time it accepts. Mission accomplished after much gnashing of teeth.
How about this one: This afternoon, I tried to set up an account on Stub Hub to buy tickets to a Yankees game in June. Filled out email address and a password and then had to enter "country." I selected "United States."
Sorry, PC doesn't recognize this country. Please enter a country. What? The United States is no longer a country?
Called my son who is a successful Stub Hub user. He advised me to call Stub Hub directly and maybe they can complete the process over the phone, i.e., set up an account, buy tickets.
Did that. Here's the Stub Rub. The nice man at the other end of the phone couldn't find the tickets I selected although they were on the screen in front of me. And while he continued searching for them, I, with phone in one hand, used the other to re-enter all the account data requested. Including, by the way, the country of the United States.
Account opened, tickets purchased. Looking forward to the game.
That's what I call muddling.
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