Zwischenwelten.
Trip Start
May 31, 2008
1
3
28
Trip End
Dec 15, 2008
Hamilton,
New Zealand
Monday, June 30, 2008
This word was explained to me as a German non-word for between worlds. Or that there's a third world between the two that exist and that is where you are.
Which is sort of how I feel here. I'm not living here but living here. It's a strange sort of purgatory-like feeling that comes from trying to settle yourself somewhere all the while knowing you aren't sticking around for very long. I have surprised myself with the humiliating lengths I will go to to meet people. I don't have anything to lose so I have done mostly anything just short of putting an ad in the classifieds that says "Hang out with me, I'm cool!"
I also have a cell phone for the first time since 1998. (Okay, maybe 2002 - still!) Being that landlines are practically non-existant here, everyone texts each other. Even when I had a cell phone, I didn't text anyone way. back. then. So this is all new to me and let me tell you, there is an art to walking and texting! I think I'm getting the hang of it though the predictive text irritates me sometimes and when I'm really frustrated I have to spell out the swear words because they don't have them in the database.... which only takes longer! (haha)
So here's my rant: (You knew this was coming.) Communicating with people seems to have only gotten easier what with texting on cell phones and instant messaging on the computer. Communicating with people may have gotten easier with all these new gadgets but, ironically, it's only gotten more anti-social.
Spider's Web
People are so attached to their cell phones (mobiles here) that the second they get a text, they must reply to it and engage in hours of "conversation" through their cells regardless of where they are or who they are with. Everything is so instantaneous that people get impatient if you don't reply right away. Which was a reason why I didn't have a cell phone in Canada because I loathe the idea of being constantly available. Or the idea that people assume, because I have a cell on me, that I am always available. They get angry if I don't pick up the phone or answer that text in a "timely manner". Maybe I have better things to do? Maybe I'm trying to have a face to face conversation with someone? Maybe I'm living my life?I would say "don't get me started" but it seems I already have! My biggest pet peeve is the cruel fact that no one can leave their phone alone. That no one can hear a text coming through and just leave it there until a moment that seems a little more appropriate. Like not during lunch with someone or while you're driving your car (and drinking coffee at the same time) or not while someone's trying to ask you a question/have a conversation with you/spend time with you. And it irks me that the person on the sending end of the text doesn't have the patience to send a text and not care when they get a reply. Why does everything have to be Right This Minute!! ?
Technology is breeding a culture of impatient, anti-social, co-dependent lemmings and that is a scary fact.
Clouds like Rainbows
Scary, scary, scary. Anyway, this rant isn't anything new or anything most of you haven't heard from me before. I suppose this is just an update of "yes, having a cell phone myself does not make me like them any more". ~~~~
In other news, I'm learning some new words/terminology:
Scoddy: (my favourite) means gross or nasty or any variation of that term
"God, that bathroom was scoddy! Next time I'm going behind a tree!"
Tying on a biscuit: means putting on a flat tire
Flat White: a term for coffee here that is basically a latte without the foam and stronger coffee
Long Black: coffee term meaning strong black coffee and lots of it
How ya going?: this one's obvious but I still smile every time I hear it, it just means "How are you?"
There are more but I can't think of any at the moment.
~~~
This "Casual Support Worker" position doesn't have much work for me this week or next and so I'm back to the papers once again looking for something with a little more reliability. I have begged my way into some hours at the restaurant at the end of the week so here's hoping they don't cancel on me because of the lack of bookings. The job front is leaving me more than a tad stressed so all positive thoughts my way would be very helpful in finding something that isn't going to tell me on a Friday that I have no work the following week!
Some of you have asked about the weather: we have had some crazy winds and wicked thunderstorms lately which, apparently, is not the norm here. There were a couple days there where I ended up at work completely drenched and standing in front of the heater trying to dry my pants but so far this week is looking gorgeous. Though I've learned that the clouds can turn at any point and after fearing that there was a plane headed directly into the house last week, the rain can turn itself on and off much like an Asian monsoon!
Hope all is well at home!
xox K
Comments
Lots of positive thoughts
'Communicating with people may have gotten easier with all these new gadgets but, ironically, it's only gotten more anti-social.'
I have the same issue with LJ, Facebook, etc. it's fun and all, but let's not take it to extremes and forget the fun you can have face to face. Of course, if someone's a million miles away, it's a great way to keep in touch.
M.
in the dark ages
hey lady,
I love it when a first date checks his phone, especially if he blushes....not a good sign.
Good luck with the job search...and meeting people (I feel your pain)
Love ya,
T
You really are getting old ....
you are starting to sound like your dad and me. haha! NOW, if you could just explain this to my brothers for me. xox ;)