Texting: it doesn't have to be this way

Making plans isn't rocket science. At least, it shouldn't be. But with the advent of cellphones, specifically text messaging, there is ample room for error. For example, the following text series can be interpreted in two ways (apparently).

"Let's grab drinks Friday"
"Sounds good"

Interpretation A) This is a plan. An idea was suggested by one party and accepted by the other. One of the two texters gets ready Friday night in anticipation of final details.
Interpretation B) This is not a plan. One of the texters pretends this conversation never happened and gives no notice that he or she is not in fact meeting up for drinks.

Why is this constant miscommunication allowed to persist? It is frustrating and lazy. In my own life I have come across it on numerous occasions. As you might have surmised, I usually fall into Interpretation A. It gets kind of old but I am no longer surprised when I get stood up (for lack of a better phrase) due to texting vagaries.

I feel that as part of the first generation of texters, we owe it to posterity to develop appropriate texting communication etiquette. Cellphones should not be used as an easy out. Classic examples: "Sry running 10 min late!" "Sry, already left Club Fancy-Pants, now @ Brew Pub McGoo". Guys, this is so lame! We need to cultivate a respect for making plans and sticking to them! It's really not that hard. In fact since the origin of humankind, that has been the only way of developing any kind of lasting relationship with others. Naturally, I put more stock and effort into friendships and relationships that I can rely on - and I take into account texting behavior. Last minute cancels or straight-up silence doesn't fly with me. Yes, some might accuse me of being uptight but you don't see me hanging out with them, do you? Personally, I prefer the term reliable.

Moving Forward

At the behest of my step-father (whose opinion I hold higher than he may know) I am updating my blog after a 6 month hiatus. Having just re-read my last post, the timing is appropriate. Despite my own earlier-expressed skepticism, I did in fact get my act together and apply to grad schools for speech language pathology.

Today I was rewarded for my hard work. I received a normal-sized business envelope from Emerson University. To prevent immediate heartbreak on the outward appearance of the "small" envelope, admissions had the courtesy to print "Congratulations" on the bottom left. I tore into it as I walked distractedly up the driveway. My mother, waiting for me at the front door, asked desperately what was wrong - I was crying and speechless by the time I reached the house. The only explanation I could give was to hand her the acceptance letter as I pulled myself together.

Typically I don't put too much stock in astrology. My early July birthday makes me a Cancer, which I've always thought was a horrible name for a sign. Pointing out that the Cancerian symbol is a crab doesn't do much to improve things. But one typical characteristic of this star sign is a heightened sense of intuition. Along those lines, my mother will tell you some freaky stories about my childhood psychic abilities. Today I woke up with a dream still resonating in my foggy brain. I dreamt I had gone to the mailbox to find it stuffed with 4 large acceptance envelopes from schools I'd applied too. Initially I thought that was mighty presumptuous of my sub-conscious. But whether I get in to three more schools or not, I did get into my first choice, Emerson College in the heart of Boston.



"The reason people find it so hard to be happy is that they always see the past better than it was, the present worse than it is, and the future less resolved than it will be.”
~Marcel Pagnol

Gahhhh not the Life question again!

If only the answer really was as simple as 42. I apologize that this blog has evolved into the whiny outlet I turn to when I don't know what to do with my life. Too many choices & too little time can be paralyzing. That's right, Ladies and Gents, I again find myself wondering what to be when I grow up. Perhaps I should start by stating my best case scenario and then work backwards to determine the steps necessary to achieve those goals.

My dream job would be to be speech language pathologist (preferably in a school system, on a school schedule) and a part-time yoga instructor. With a summer house in Italy, obviously. The SLP/yoga instructor combo would be the ideal balance (pun intended) between work and play, allowing me to physically and mentally help others as well as to spend my life challenging myself with things I enjoy. And the summer house in Italy? Well, a girl can dream.

So, sounds like I've got it all figured out, don't it? The problem is that these are the things I want to be doing NOW, not 5 years from now. First I have to put in the time, work and money (blood, sweat and tears) before I can live the dream. And I'm having trouble building up the momentum. I'm starting the grad school application process and am feeling overwhelmed. Any words of wisdom or advice from people who've been through this would be greatly appreciated.