Because I am thinking of growing older...here is an older post:
There were five messages on my answering service this morning. One at 9:10, 9:13, 9:18, 9:22 and a final one at 9:25 A.M. A friend of mine left these messages, a Russian woman who has been a U.S. citizen longer than she was a Russian citizen, but who still has a heavy accent and sometimes has trouble with English pronunciations. Julie is a remarkable woman in her late seventies, with an incredible story, however I don't think she likes modern technology very much. I am going to try to transcribe the phone calls left on my service for your enjoyment, with my exaggerations added, of course.
First Call: breathing into the receiver, hang-up.
Second Call: Hello? It only rang once…what’s wrong? She’s not there. Hello?
Third Call: Hello? Something is wrong. I don’t hear anything. What is wrong with this phone? Here, listen! (phone is passed to husband, who, apparently listens) I hear her husband say: It must be the answering machine. You need to leave a message.
His Wife Replies: A what? There is nobody there. It’s not working. Is our phone broke?
Husband: You need to leave a message. Here, let me hang up…
Fourth Call: Husband says on the line, “It says leave a message, Do you want to leave a message or no?.”
Wife, in background: “Message? well if she isn’t home I guess I have to- (line goes dead)
Fifth Call: Hi, Dapoppins (that’s me) Well, I wanted to tell you that we won’t be able to get together next Friday, it isn’t going to work, (she goes on to leave a the message as if she hasn’t already tried to do so four other times.)
Now, this is going to be me, fifty or sixty years from now, when I try to call my son to come over and help his Dad rearrange the garage. The family may be out on an outing, but I am THE GRANDMA and I expect them to be there whenever I need them.
Me, looking into futuristic Video phone: Hello? Oldest son are you there? Is this thing working? I don't see him. (tapping the screen) It’s busted. These things never work.
Two Minutes later: Hey! Hello? Are you there? Is this on? I can’t tell if it is on. What do you mean there should be a green light. I don't see any green lights. What is that buzzing sound? Husband, do you hear that noise. It’s broke. I told you not to buy one of these things!
Four Minutes later: Am I dialing the right number? Are you there? Why don’t you ever answer when I call? (Me pressing my face into the screen) I know your there. I am not going to call you anymore if you don’t answer the phone. Answer the phone!
Can you imagine what the technology is going to be like when I am eighty?
There were five messages on my answering service this morning. One at 9:10, 9:13, 9:18, 9:22 and a final one at 9:25 A.M. A friend of mine left these messages, a Russian woman who has been a U.S. citizen longer than she was a Russian citizen, but who still has a heavy accent and sometimes has trouble with English pronunciations. Julie is a remarkable woman in her late seventies, with an incredible story, however I don't think she likes modern technology very much. I am going to try to transcribe the phone calls left on my service for your enjoyment, with my exaggerations added, of course.
First Call: breathing into the receiver, hang-up.
Second Call: Hello? It only rang once…what’s wrong? She’s not there. Hello?
Third Call: Hello? Something is wrong. I don’t hear anything. What is wrong with this phone? Here, listen! (phone is passed to husband, who, apparently listens) I hear her husband say: It must be the answering machine. You need to leave a message.
His Wife Replies: A what? There is nobody there. It’s not working. Is our phone broke?
Husband: You need to leave a message. Here, let me hang up…
Fourth Call: Husband says on the line, “It says leave a message, Do you want to leave a message or no?.”
Wife, in background: “Message? well if she isn’t home I guess I have to- (line goes dead)
Fifth Call: Hi, Dapoppins (that’s me) Well, I wanted to tell you that we won’t be able to get together next Friday, it isn’t going to work, (she goes on to leave a the message as if she hasn’t already tried to do so four other times.)
Now, this is going to be me, fifty or sixty years from now, when I try to call my son to come over and help his Dad rearrange the garage. The family may be out on an outing, but I am THE GRANDMA and I expect them to be there whenever I need them.
Me, looking into futuristic Video phone: Hello? Oldest son are you there? Is this thing working? I don't see him. (tapping the screen) It’s busted. These things never work.
Two Minutes later: Hey! Hello? Are you there? Is this on? I can’t tell if it is on. What do you mean there should be a green light. I don't see any green lights. What is that buzzing sound? Husband, do you hear that noise. It’s broke. I told you not to buy one of these things!
Four Minutes later: Am I dialing the right number? Are you there? Why don’t you ever answer when I call? (Me pressing my face into the screen) I know your there. I am not going to call you anymore if you don’t answer the phone. Answer the phone!
Can you imagine what the technology is going to be like when I am eighty?
