Email...It's a Like / Hate Thing

Wow, twenty days since a posting. Hmm. I'm not much of a blogger. I guess I'm really only a "poser blogger." I can live with that.

O.K., I've never been a real fan of technology; at least the kind that is less utilitarian and more for sheer convenience. Recently, I purchased a cell phone and then only reluctantly. I find them annoying and the people who use them incessantly even more annoying. You know the ones. The inattentive driver who, on a good day without distraction and clear weather still manages to be an a**hole of the roadways, now becomes a monumental hazard while trying to juggle their cell phone conversation, cup of coffee and smoke at the same time.
Then there's the woman who is supposed to be enjoying a dinner out with her mom who she hasn't seen for months. The restaurant is busy. Customers chat over sumptuous fare and wine. Then...Ms. Inconsiderate's cell phone rings, LOUDLY and with an obnoxious tune. She answers but not quickly. All patrons around her are alerted. She's flippant and shows no expression of what a nuisance she is. She ignores her mother and unwittingly (and without concern for others) invites all patrons in the restaurant into her conversation. It goes something like this: "No. That's not right. Billy has Soccer and Jamie gets dropped off first. Yes. His cleats are in the closet...I think. I don't know. There are hot dogs in fridge. Have those." This but an excerpt.
In instances like this, I just want to stand up and scream: "SHUT UP you inconsiderate wench! No one here wants to hear about your pathetic life of hot dog dinners and soccer schedules. Take your F**ing converstation outside!"

Then there's email. I like it. But it breeds laziness and isolation. Case in point: My "neighbor" at work. Yeah, he's just on the other side of the cube wall from me. I hear his telephone conversations. He probably hears mine. We go to lunch occassionally and out for a coffee too. Currently, we're working a project together. He wants to discuss a small point of our project. Does he stand up and say; "Hey man, can I run this by you?" No. Of course not. Instead he sends me an email inviting me to a meeting. Dang people around here like to meet. The culture here is to meet about meetings. "Email me to set up a meeting." Anyway, he knows I'm here. He can hear me breathing and snacking and whatever else. For crying out loud, dammit,
just talk to me man! No. Can't be done. Instead we have to play email tag. He sends one. I reply. He replies to my reply. I reply to his.
But alas, ultimately, I refused his invite to have a meeting...via email.