LOSING MEANING IN THE WIRES by J Perry Stone aka Scuttlebutt
On a personal writing loop, some friends and I found ourselves on two very different sides of a blog war. Some of us defended sites that continuously blow sunshine up writers’ asses while others defended sites that seemed to gain pleasure from ripping writers a new one.
Truth is I don’t think anyone on my loop agrees with either approach, but some of the blog sites we visit do.
Or do they?
It has occurred to me that what a person says on the Internet can be misconstrued so that it reflects whatever mood we might be in. I can read what I deem as a bitchy blog post on Monday and then on Tuesday, I see no malice. Why is that? No sleep on Monday? Tuesday the coffee kicked in?
Here’s another example:
“Terrio is opinionated.”
Now judge my motives for a second. Am I being bitchy or simply factual?
To me, since I love me some Terrio, that statement is a truth given from the depths of my loving heart. To someone unaware of that love, I’m criticizing her.
I’m not. She knows this. She’s on the phone as I write this, in fact (and is helping me like a good little thesaurus).
But the internet fails miserably in relaying tone. We do our best with annoying emoticons, LOL’s and ROFLMAO’s… but are we really expressing ourselves accurately in the cyber world?
I don’t think so. Granted, I realize the benefits of technology. I’ve actually seen Terrio two times in my whole life, but because of emails and phone calls, I know highly intimate things about her and vice versa. She's one of my closest friends and yet I’ve seen her twice! It’s almost creepy. But I can't help thinking how much richer our relationship could be if I could call her up and have lunch with her once or twice a week?
We live in a very strange age. We feel more connected than ever before, but I’m not so sure. The reality might be we are farther apart than ever. As Terrio is whispering in my ear right now, “it’s a connection that causes a disconnect.”
I don’t want a disconnect. I don’t want my generally good intentions to be misunderstood. I don't want to guess at the expression on Terri's face as she reads this.
I don’t want to feel so lonely with roughly 90% of my friends strewn across the nation.
So what’re your thoughts? And if you come at me harshly, please use a friendly emoticon.
Books by the Crew
53 comments:
Ho! Excellent points made. I know me sister, Last Chance, is regrettin' her position a' not postin' while at work. Cause yer hittin' one a' 'er pet peeves 'bout the internet.
The lack of facial/bodylanguage/voice connection. I says we can do it wit' enough words...jus' most people won't use enough words or take the time ta pick the right words. Or take the time ta read the words in full contex a' what surrounds 'em.
She says it won't work with words. Ya gots ta have the voice and body language.
I thinks it amounts ta how the individual prefers ta 'read'. I prefer words. Me sis? She prefers faces and voice. I trust words. She trusts faces and voice. And yes, we battle miscommunication all the time! But we battle it out and stay on the field 'til we gets it right.
And sometimes, people is just nasty on the internet...it be so anonymous that they machine gun comments jus' cause they like ta see their words on the screen. I says if ya won't claim yer words, they mean nothin'.
I agree with Chance's sister.And 'Last Chance' is such a lovely pseudonym!
I think that the missing factor is vision. So much meaning is conveyed through facial expression. A slight upturn of the mouth, a twinkle in the eye, a sceptical frown or in Sin's case a very wicked grin!
This could in principle be remedied by building cameras into the PC and there is probably about enough bandwidth now. You would then get the impression that the person you communicate with is actually in your living room. While we are at it, you could also dispense with the keyboard and speak into the comp.
All this would be great when chatting with Terri or any of the pirates, but there is a dark side of course. Pornography and evil doers would also flourish.
Somehow I think its a bit like the weather. We would all like to control it but one person's sunny holiday is another's ruined crops. The technology is there but the control of human behaviour is much more difficult IMO.
Very thought provoking breakfast blog J Perry!
I'm sorry, but when they started talking about "picture phones" years ago, I thought, there goes my glamor---people will know I'm in my PJs (like right this minute) and hair rollers (no, but I look like a cranky rooster). Part of the fun of the Internet is that we're all anonymous bloggers in pajamas. When politicians criticize, we must be doing something right. :)
But I agree so much can be misconstrued without face to face contact, which is why I try to keep that face down and avoid controversy. It IS very peculiar though that I feel so close to women I've never met in person. I never would have believed it a few years ago. I don't think I've changed but the technology has. How one uses it (remembering the Golden Rule and all that) is really the issue. I'm turned off in RL by drama/territorial behavior/bitchiness, so it's only natural I try to stay away from that online. OMG, I'm just so perfect!
JP, what a great blog!
I'm with Maggie - I avoid drama, bitchiness in real life so in the online world I seem to avoid it too. I do notice it when others present it, but I try really hard to not be bothered/not get invovled.
I think sometimes this really comes into play in crit groups or in critiques. What one might intend as a helpful comment can come off as nastiness to someone else. It's so important to really read and re-read critiques to make sure they aren't misconstrued. And I'm on an online chapter's loop and on the PRO loop and some of the comments on those very big loops have surprised me with their venom. (For example, post GH score flaming. I was surprised.)
But I also think that some people feel free to say things on the net that they'd never say in person. Probably a good test. If I wouldn't say it to someone's face I probably shouldn't type it in a loop post/blog comment.
:) <-- there's a friendly emoticon for you, JP.
And thanks for this, Marn. :)
Ah, we're all birds of a feather then.
2nd, I also, like Q, agree with your sister. It's a very difficult path to traverse without being able to gauge someone's expressions. It's like we've all got blinders on and unless we heighten some of our others senses, we're in trouble.
Q, I hadn't thought about pornography. I have HUGE fears of child pornography in particular and it seems to me the internet has done nothing but indulge people's sicker proclivities.
Have we always been this low?
Maggie, you are perfect :) And I think if everyone had your good sense, that RL crap would disappear.
Marn, the problem with me is that I'm beginning not to trust my bitch radar. ARE people really being bitchy in certain cases? How about the opposite? Is she really being that nice or is she simply being fake and condescending? I'm completely at a loss.
J
Awh, JP, you're welcome! ;)
And I agree. Sometimes I feel like I can't read what people are "really" saying. It can definitely be frustrating. I usually just slink back. Just in case I'm not reading it right.
As I mentioned to J yesterday, the irony is that as writers we struggle daily to communicate our *voice* through words, then we go on the internet and find our words misconstrued all the time. LOL!
I like Q's analogy about the weather. What's good for one might not be good for another so who gets the control? (That could so lead into a religious discussion but I know WAY better than to go there...lol)
I've lost count of how many times someone has said something in an email, or heaven forbid ignored one of my comments, and I get all offended. Or I've sent a completely innocent message only to get flames back from the other end. It's a slippery slope, my friends.
In my perfect world, we would all be able to hang out in person (preferably in Q's kitchen since it's in England :) ) but in this crazy age, I'll take what I can get and settle for a virtual ship.
Very, very awesome blog, J Perry!
I am definitely with those who would rather do a face to face. I have huge amounts of internet anxiety - just ask Terri! I think I only e-mailed her once (maybe twice) wondering if I was too harsh or offended someone. But believe me in the beginning, I had the urge at least once a week!
It's sort of a two edged sword, though. In one way you're fearful of how what you are saying will come across, but I also get to proofread and mull over my responses. In real life I'm forever walking away from a discussion muttering "Man, I should have said this or that". How many times have you had an argument (especially with your significant other) when you're all tongue tied and can't get the comebacks out quick enough or make them witty and biting enough!? The blog world allows for that little extra time to impart our brillance or in my case correct my typos! Can we tell I'm a little neurotic!? :)
Irish, I think we might be twins.
Ter, I will meet you in Q's kitchen!
I have to run. I'm doing the last bit of room-mothering at the progeny's school. Word of advice. Don't volunteer for this job.
Maggie said: "It IS very peculiar though that I feel so close to women I’ve never met in person."
I remember reading about Maggie getting her contract and I had tears in my eyes. My DH walked in and asked what was wrong. I told him nothing that a friend just got some really awesome news. He wanted to know who (since most of my friends are also his) and just smiled at me and shook his head when I said it's MAGGIE!!!
Irish really is the cutest thing. I remember one day she was freaking about a comment she left or something and I think she went running through her house in nothing but a towel then remembered her son had a friend over. LOL! I know she was frazzled but I could help but laugh. So cute!
But that's true that in these kinds of forums, you have a chance to do a little editing or revising before hitting that submit button. That would be a great feature in real time, face-to-face situations. LOL!
And see, here I thought I was the only one who freaked out that my comments might be taken wrong.
Great blog, J! I much prefer the face-to-face too. I feel like I can read people pretty well in person, but not so much on-line. And I'm a bit over-sensitive when it comes to criticism, so I've learned to take a step back, think it through, and read it again before I shoot off my mouth in return. Most of the time it's me just misinterpreting what was sent, then actual bitchiness.
Yeah, that was a fun day! I followed my usual routine of getting up reading all my usual sites, posting and then heading up to take a shower. As I was lathering up and going over what I had written panic struck. I thought "OMG I didn't actually write that did I?!" Hopped out of the shower, threw a towel on and went running through the house while my son and his friend are sitting in the family room blowing up aliens on the TV!
And in true Irish fashion, I acted first and thought later. I e-mailed Terri begging her to find a way to delete my post. I went back in and read it over again (still made me sound like a pompous ass) and spent a good 10-15 minutes checking my e-mail and sweating before my brain kicked in and I realized I can delete my own post! DUH!
Terri got back to me assuring me that she couldn't find anything in the post that was offensive, but then I think Terri knows I'm not mean spirited and I wasn't sure others out there would get that. This was just one example - this happened daily when I first started posting on the sites. It's a wonder I've kept it up!
I can really understand the whole criticism issue. How can you accept criticism from someone who doesn't know you? I mean, I know if you're gonna publish it's a given but still that's a really hard one. In order to take it seriously you have to know the person criticizing you has your best interest at heart. There are very few people who I can take criticism from and not get all pissy about it. I think the big element in that equation is trust.
Hal - I've gotten a little better, but it still happens on a regular basis where I get offended by things online. The irony is that I'll get more annoyed if you ignore me than if you address the comment and disagree with me. Isn't that weird? If you disagree and tell me, I'm good. But if you ignore me then you are dismissing me and THAT drives me nuts. I'm totally nuts.
Irish - you've never said anything even bordering on offensive online and you could never make yourself look like a pompous ass. But your anxiety about it, though probably not fun for you, is adorable. And I'm glad you've kept up the commenting!
The crit stuff is a fine line. For me, it's more about *how* it's delivered which goes back again to messages getting crossed through the wires. If a person says, "this doesn't work for me" or "maybe try adding here" or even "I'd take that out if it were me", it's usually good. It's when the response is "this is wrong" or "that will never sell" (which I've been told to my face) or "you can't do a, b, and c ever."
The delivery is SO important.
Such a timely post, J!
I guess I have less faith in my ability to interpret physical clues accurately than some of you do. All too often I have misread someone whose body language I saw and whose voice I heard. No communication is perfect, and I don't see us developing any time soon the ability of Robert Heinlein's Martians to grok.
I once took a road trip with two friends during which we drove through the night for eight hours. We knew each other well, but by the end of that trip we knew things about one another that we had never revealed before. Something about the contained space of the car and the darkness created a deeper intimacy. I think cyber friendships can work the same way.
Nothing can replace my RL friends, and my life would be much poorer without their laughter and hugs and physical presence in my life. By the same token, nothing can replace my online friendships, the people I've never met but with whom I share a language that none of my RL friends speak.
And it is a sad fact of life that predators and confidence artists flourish in RL as well as online.
I think you're right that trust is a huge issue when it comes to crits. I had one scene that was just too sappy (I knew it, my CP's knew it). And Marn writes a comment that says, "Oh god, too far!". I saw that and cracked up laughing, and started deleting the sappiness. But I have one required CP for school who hates what I write and leaves snarky comments all over my stuff. If *she* had written that, I would have bitched for days about it.
And Ter - I agree completely! I have no problem with a reader or critiquer saying "This doesn't work for me." Not everything works for everyone. But to say, "This won't sell" is not only rude, but it's arrogant. It assumes you know exactly what will and won't sell, and the author should change their story to your specifications. And that's not what critiquing is about (or at least, it shouldn't be).
I'm not making much sense today. The coffee I got from the bakery this morning was shitty, so I'm still all fuzzy this morning :)
Irish, almost every time I reread my comments, I fear that I sound pompous, arrogant, or both. But that fear is not limited to my online comments. :)
As for trust, the people whose opiniions I trust most regarding my fiction writing are those in my online inner circle.
Janga - That's an interesting concept about the road trip vs. the internet connection. Then again, we could also say no one sits down in person long enough these days to make intimate connections. So being forced to spend the time together, be it in a car or online, is what fosters the connections. Many ways we could go with this.
And you're another who has never sounded pompous or arrogant. But there's something to be said about a comment coming from someone you know. You are well known as an intelligent, generous commenter so even if you tried to sound pompous, none of us would likely read it that way.
Janga and all... Hmmmm, I am in the obvious minority here. And trust me, I have been convinced I FU a friendship or two via the internet all the bloody time... But I just have a deep appreciation for the moment, as Irish says, to review and revise and be clever.
Because in person, I an not nearly so fast.
I suck at reading faces or interpretting voice. For some reason, I find it calming to review printed words and dig for the nuance. Doesn't mean I'm not wrong half the time. Or more than half the time... But I find misinterpretaion is more likely to occur with the reaction verses the responding.
I react to printed criticism personally, but since it's printed, I reflect before responding. Which I hope lessens the possibility of building the misunderstanding to monumental proportions.
I also cry in person at the drop of a hat. It's easier to cry at home and then get it over with and respond from a place of peace. If someone said 'that will never sell' to me face to face, I might crack... Jane says I'm stronger than I once was, and I hope she's true. But I'd rather not test that...
Thanks, Ter! You're a sweetie! :)
I thought the same thing, Terri, when I read what Janga wrote. I feel as if I know most of you pretty well and so I take that knowledge into account when I read what's written. It's that "voice" thing. We're all writers even if we're not published and we all have a voice. I could write something on this site and then go to another site I never frequent, write the same thing and I'm sure it would be interpreted differently. Fascinating, isn't it!
I also agree with Janga about the anonymity and it creating a certain comfort level. Some of my cyber-buddies know me better in a way than those I see face to face. I show my creative, "writer" side and views more here than anywhere else. In fact, I can't think of anyone I've even come close to discussing plot, storyline, POV, story ideas with outside of the internet.
Okay, here I go again but this time I'm fairly sure I'm not putting my foot in my mouth -
I don't feel very intelligent sometimes and am pretty lazy when I speak, but had a real eye-opener where this was concerned recently. I happen to have a very bright 14 year old daughter. You know how you should wish more for your children than you had. Well, I got it - she's a whiz and can already run rings around me academically. She came up to me last month and asked me if she should stop raising her hand in class cause some of the kids were making fun of her for always having the right answer and using big words. I tell ya, that stopped me in my tracks! I told her that she should NEVER dumb herself down or pretend ignorance to garner other's approval. If they really like her they will like all of her even her big brain and big words! We like all of you Janga!
Janga, you are not pompous... you are educated/intelligent. I think there is a huge difference. I love reading what you write and I'm sure I'd love listening to you also. I love the words you use - I think it's very lyrical and I feel priviledged that I have such an intelligent friend!
Arrr! Irish be right on that, Janga. I don't think anyone sounds pompous on the Revenge... Gee whiz!
Sometimes, we just sound very, very wise. Which is a good thing!
And sometimes we sound very, very drunk, but that's mostly just the crew. ;)
Irish - I was like your daughter in that I was always raising my hand and took flack for it. Can't claim the big words comparison, but the rest is there. Got called the teacher's pet and all the usual taunts. But I was stubborn and not about to stop just to make them like me. More like determined to answer even more. LOL!
Good for you for telling your daughter that. And I doubt she runs rings around you, you've just been out of school longer. That's the excuse I use. Last night my kiddo needed help with the metric system stuff. Yeah, right. She was on her own!
Yes, Irish, help her hold that hand high and be proud of it.
I don't mind coming off as a snot-rag in general posts. I'm pretty much a general snot-rag in real life too. There is very little I wouldn't say to your face that I'll put in a post. It's just when I write the post, I don't stutter or mispronounce any words. Which can lose some of the cleverness, yes?
I get anxious about my blogs if they're flammatory in nature OR in comments in critiquing. Esp the latter. I worry about lot about how my comments are perceived in critiquing. Well, except the comments I make on grammar--I don't care if you think I'm a Nazi bitch about that--or a Nazi history buff who can't stand you have your heroine pouring sugar out of a canister when they were still scraping sugar off cones...whatever... But I try to be more considerate and open-minded about comments I make about motivation, et al, because that stuff can be more subjective.
A history nazi? Who came up with that phrase? ;)
If'n ya write with blatant disregard fer historical fact, and yer writin' historicals, ya deserve a history nazi at yer door!
We all haves the things we be particular 'bout. Cap'n, want some chocolate? I propose a new drink, A Captain's Cocoa Puff, served with a mondo chocolate brownie on the side, to be drunk whenever a historically inaccurate account of chocolate is found in the media. Any media.
Speaking fer me sis, Last Chance, who I knew would appreciate today's topic. We discuss this on and off, via e-mail...
"The blog; great blog. And yeah, you expressed my thoughts from our discussing this topic a while ago pretty well - LOL !! and it appears I'm not alone. I think the internet is a great place to interact; just so much is left open to misinterpretation based upon the mindset of the people involved at the time it is read. But that can also happen in face to face conversation, too. The issue, for me, is when all aspects of "communication" can't be used to maximize understanding and communication. There will always be misinterpreted words and meaning, no matter what "style" of communication we use. Because so much of our communication is also tied to our understand of the world and how things work.
It's funny; I've had long term phone-only relationships thru work over the years, and some of them held up to meeting in person, and some did not. Again, it's so much a "people will be people" thing.
The main issue, to me, is that you always have to keep in mind that some people are going to misinterpret your written words, no matter what you do. And that's just another facet of what authors always face; some people enjoy what you write, and some people don't."
Did we just add a brownie to a drink?! This is the best ship ever!!!
Last Chance hits it on the head. We could lament the faults and potential communication pot holes in cyberspace, but they exist in real life as well. You just can't avoid hitting one every now and then. However, I think the reaction to hitting a pot hole is different online. Or can be. That's where the anonymity and out-of-sight factors come into play.
You don't know me and can't see me, don't know where I live and can't find me (in most cases). So if I fire back something hateful and insulting, there are less perceived consequences. Make sense?
That is the dark aspect of the internet, certainly. Which is why it can all come down to the power of the reader... If they don't claim it, I don't pay attention.
I claim my words, even the mistakes. Last Chance and I have gone down this road and work hard at keeping things clear.
I'll be one of those authors who won't read reviews. Lessen they are signed with 'real' names and I can respond if I chose to.
I like the 'perceived consequences' ... I like to ththink Kharma has a great big bat!
Yes, Best Ship, Ever!
The phone is no better than the internet in conveying intent or whathaveyou in conversation. I find my boyfriend is no better at communicating by phone than he is by email.
Yeah, but Cap'n...men suck at the phone stuff. All men.
BTW, Yeah. I hate when you send something out and get no response. My monkey mind goes nuts, assumes I totally FU and there is a contract being taken out on me for being such a bitch...
Chance - I know, right! No answer is so much worse to me than a seething answer. I'm sure there's something psychological to that I don't want to analyze too thoroughly.
Such a great post! I really get annoyed with my own comments sometimes. I read over them(since I over think like crazy!) and think, "Huh, can that be construed as hateful or insensitive?'
I always contact the person if I'm even a little bit unsure and I give the 'I meant X when I said Y'. So far I've always gotten back, 'What? Of course I knew it was a joke', etc...
Yep, I am anal.*g*
PS: Ter, is a great friend!!! I(and the other two Originals) definitely feel a kinship with her...care to share those 'highly intimate' things?LOL!
Okay chance and Ter, I feel the same about getting no reply! Huh, now I think I'm gonna go over think some more.lol. Everyone, you may get an email from me later.lol.
Hal, I remember that scene! LOL!! But you know I was teasing you more than anything and that it had nothing to do with how I perceive your writing ability (because you KNOW I think your rock.) Trust is definitely the key there. LOL!
I am going to kill the nervous finger that somehow erased the dissertation I just wrote. WTF?
*Big Sigh*
1) Terri, since you blend into wallpaper like a neon sign, I'm beginning to think the no-responses you get are more a function of the person not knowing how to respond to you than not caring about what you've said. I'm thinking perhaps this is their problem, not yours.
2) I wish RWA would include a workshop on Critique Etiquette. Our WIP's are our children and one would never be so rude as to march up to me and say, "My, your children are quite ugly." Don't do it to my WIP either, bonehead. I truly believe there are ways to convey honesty without cruelty. If the author refuses to accept that honesty, well then that's another problem, but I'm here to learn.
3) Last Chance said: "There will always be misinterpreted words and meaning, no matter what “style” of communication we use. Because so much of our communication is also tied to our understand of the world and how things work."
Here, here. This is a basic foundation of all my beliefs. We perceive what we are/think/feel. Ever found yourself in a mid-depression without realizing you were headed there on the way down? I'm beginning to predict these downward slides simply by analyzing the frequency of my negative perceptions. "So and so was mean." "So and so said this offensive thing." "So and so had shitty intentions." I think I perceive what already exists in myself.
When I'm happy, everyone is Mickey Mouse to me.
4) Never in my history with you Janga, have I EVER perceived you as arrogant or pompous. Capable and sophisticated and interesting, yes. Pompous, no.
Lastly) I get annoyed with my own on-line harshness, as well. I never mean to be harsh, but since I generally have the subtlety of a bull, I'm paranoid people will receive me this way. I'm a nice bull, but a bull, none-the-less.
For some reason I read Q's comment and read, "Pirates and their pornography and evil doers."
Are you trying to say something Q? Hmm..?
hahahaha
I'm the world's worst at expression in my emails. I frequently don't puncuate right because I'm lazy. Nor do I click the spell checker for the same reason unless I'm emailing for business. Otherwise, I figure if you can't understand what I'm saying or feel offended by my lack of tone, you'll email me back and ask me what's my problem.
In fact I'm talking to Terrio right now over the email and we never fail to get our point across. LOL
And I frequently forget to reply to emails.
I'm horrible at this whole email replying thing. I think I've replied in my head but in truth, I've thought about what I'm going to email back and have deleted the email. :( And I need constant reminding to email.
J - Are you saying my efforts at being stealth and quietly observant are all for naught? I've never been compared to a neon sign before. If I'm going to be a neon sign, just make sure it's one of the really cool ones out in Vegas.
Sin - You're one of the few people who always get my point, so thank you for that. :)
Terri, I would love to entertain you and J Perry and anyone else who happens by my kitchen.
I just need to explain to Mrs Q that it was the only available venue for my romance convention. When she sees how beautiful you all are I'm sure that she will understand. :D
Sin, I sometimes think you misunderstand my posts deliberately! Still I'm not down any more...you naughty old thing! *grin*
Q - I promise it would be an innocent little gathering for tea and we'd even help clean up. She'd love us, don't you think?
Great blog JP.
I've met a lot of friends over the internet, and I often wonder what relationships I would have missed if not for the cyber world!
I find it hard to guage a person by reading their thoughts through posts on blogs and message boards. I've often perceived their messages as condescending, and found later that they meant totally the opposite. Even in using emotioncons, it's hard to read a person when you don't know their true speak. I have two dear friends that I met on the internet. I talked to them both through emails and message boards, and phone tag way before I met them. I've only seen them both twice since our friendships began. Technology has changed face to face human interaction, but it has opened numerous doors that puts business and friendship at the end of our fingertips:)
Course, then Sin would take the list of do-not-use words and deliberately use them.
Love ya, Sin! Good to see you back on board!
Yeah, sis had some good points. It all filters thru our personal life experiences. And I know that place where no matter what I hear, I interpret it as negative. And yer right, Scuttlebutt, it all comes down ta where I am when I read/hear the message. If I'm wearin' me blues glasses, it's all crap. If it be the rose colored pair, everythin' is wonnerful!
Glad to hear we all hate not hearin' more than hearin'. I'd rather get the rejection than the fell-into-a-black-hole response. I have a wicked moneky mind. Perhaps even an undead monkey mind... ;)
And yes! We need a class on how to be good CPs! And from personal experience, contest judges need a real etiquette class with some words they are NOT to use!
In fact, maybe we could all use that class!
This treat is on me Terri, no need to help clean up. Though Sin might have to leave her ninja toys in the porch. Who could fail to love you!
Lisa, I meet a lot of people in the course of my science, but would never have discovered a community like the pirates without the internet. My reading (and writing!) life has been totally transformed. That has to be good....I think 8)
Yer all goin' ta have tea wit' Q, in England? And yer bringin' the tea? Ain't that like bringin' a gift of cheese to Wisconsin?
Q - You always have something interesting to add to the discussion. I'd love to know what you think about the whole 'science' side of the new "Angels and Demons" movie. It be fun to sit next ta you in the theater and watch ya try not to laugh...
Chance, and this blog is about misunderstanding posts without the visual feedback!
Bringing your own tea bags would be like 'taking coals to Newcastle'.... though 'Cheese to Wisconsin' is a new one on me!
I have total control of my facial expressions and audible outputs by the way. I just mask them by gobbling popcorn!
Gotta sign out now...will look for you in my dreams. :lol:
Aye, coal to Newcastle... Though here in California the Newcastle I be familiar with be home to a rare brewery. Newcastle Ale...
Cheese to Wisconsin... Champagne to France... I love things like this!
Almonds to California... Crawfish to Mississippi...
I love ya, J Perry. I love, love, luvs ya.
Whaddya mean, I'm being insincere?
I'm expressing what's deeply with*in* my heart.
You're hurting my feelings for not believing me.
And on and on and on. While I agree it's easier to misunderstand the written word without the attending body language, tone, gestures, etc., I couldn't survive day to day without my online friends.
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