blue artichoke

Nothing makes me feel quite as old as I do when I have to respond to an email and ask what LMAO or IMHO means, not even shopping the sale rack in the geriatric section of Dillard's. At least then I can convince myself that the other old birds fighting over the same pair of slacks have a surprisingly modern sense of style. But the new vernacular made up of acronyms and shortened words are just beyond me. And so far, I've fought it. This language is fine for kids who sit in class and text message their friends instead of passing notes, but what use do I have for it? So, I let myself become a 30-year-old Luddite. Not only did I not embrace this new technology, but I went to the Sprint store and asked to have a text block placed on my phone line! Talk about a miserly old woman! I didn't want to have to pay 20 cents to receive a text when someone could just call me.

But, I started to feel left out. And I began noticing a few opportunities when I wished I could send a text to someone, when I had a quick question or reminder but didn't have time for a full conversation, when I wanted to tell something funny about someone in the room but didn't want to be overheard, or when I was stuck in a very slow-moving line and was bored. Maybe someone like me did have cause for texting. So, earlier this week, I went back to Sprint and had the text block removed from my phone and added a text message package to my line and to GC's line. Now we can sit on the couch and text each other! I sent out a few messages. The first one took 7 minutes to figure out how to navigate through the phone menu and type out a message with 11 characters. The next one was easier and faster. Turns out I have nimble fingers. Anyway, each text I sent was immediately followed by a message saying that the recipient chose not to accept my message. What!? I didn't think all my friends were similar crotchety old ladies who took the time to put a block on their phones, and I knew for sure that I'd seen Blue Grilled Cheese text, so I emailed her to find out why she blocked my message. She never got it. I went back to Sprint, who said the network had been down, and I tried again. With success. So, now, at age 30, I have sent 3 text messages and received 2. That's a start!

Getting to Know All About You: What's your position on text messaging?