Day: December 21, 2004

Some of you have seen this, but I took my first crack at Flash Animation:

http://www.cyberbliss.net/animation.html

No purpose or plot, just a chance to test a few things I learned.

I just finished the easiest Christmas shopping trip of my life.

Last weekend we completed most of the shopping, so all that was left was a little bit of stocking stuffers for the pretty one.

This morning I found myself wide awake at 3:00. Not one of those “Hmm… it is early… I should go back to sleep” awakes but the “There is no way I am going to be able to fall asleep” awakes.

So I got up, showered and left the house at 3:45. The only place in the valley that has any life at 3:45 is Wal-mart.

I had the store to myself, if you don’t include the pallet movers, floor buffers and the guy in electronics who spent the entire time playing Nintendo.

After a half-hour of visiting every aisle, I checked out and got into work by 5am.

I can now stand tall and proclaim that, at 4:18 am on December 21, 2004, I FINISHED MY CHRISTMAS SHOPPING!

In the beginning, there were people with no social grace

Then their were cell phones

Then the blame for social ineptitude was shifted from the people to their telephones.

“People can’t drive when talking on the phone”
“Don’t allow cell phones on airplanes… people will just talk too loud”
“Don’t answer your phone in a resturant… you will bother the dining room”
“The cell phone is a ball and chain that keeps you overly connected”

OK. Here is where I feel obliged to weigh in.

Cell phones are not the problem. Cell phone use is an avenue for symptoms of deeper issues to make themselves known.

Regarding those who talk to loud; they have no courtesy to those around them. It’s not the phone’s fault… It can transmit quiet conversation.

Regarding those who get in accidents. There are already laws about distracted/reckless driving that can be enforced. If any driver crosses the center line, it is illegal (with our without the cell phone).If it didn’t happen with a cell phone, it could happen with make-up, a dime-novel or an 89 cent chili-cheese burritto from Taco Bell!

Regarding those who may be overly connected. Again, you cannot blame the medium. It is the person who feels obliged or addicted to the communication they maintain, not the phone. Again, were it not the cell phone, they would find another to nurse that need.

Please! Don’t blame the phone. There are plenty of us who know how to pay attention when driving.

There are plenty of us who know how to behave in public.

Don’t let the socially inept fuel your disdain for cell phones, or any media.

Let their poor use of cell phones fuel your disdain for the socially inept.