This Window

photo: Peter Hasselbom

In 1994 my friend Jennifer assured me that some day in the near future, we would all have computers at home that we would use for everything. I didn't believe her. I couldn't imagine it. Now, my screen is a daily window on the world. 

I love the internet and not just for the cute kitten photos, but I love them too.

I love Facebook. Who cares if that dude from my junior high basketball team is eating sushi in Sacramento right now? I do. That girl I worked with at a restaurant in 1987 just published a thriller? I'm interested. These are stories.

I love Instagram and the peek into the lens-eye of people whose lens-eyes I enjoy. I'll look at your babies and puppies and enchiladas and sunsets and all of the other stuff that makes life good. Picture stories.

I love blogs. I love the niche blogs (Mormon stockpiling moms, guy who posts photos of ephemera he finds in old books) as well as the old-fashioned slice-of-life personal journals. I love the friends I have made in these blog homes. I love the stories they tell.

I love Ebay and buying used stuff online because I do not like malls but I might like that sweater with the cute collar that you don't wear anymore. My things have had a life before me, a story.

I love the tiny film festival that is Vine. Perfect for my attention span and my schedule. Six second stories.

I love Twitter and the challenge to convey or digest a succinct thought. A limited novella of a story.

I love email. Letters delivered in an instant. Stories. Now.

I love YouTube. I will watch a cat dressed as a taco riding a Roomba or a full length U2 concert. More stories.

I love Pinterest because as long as it exists, I never have to buy another lifestyle magazine. Or cookbook. I am interested to see what other people are interested in. Pins are portals to other stories.

The computer does not take the place of real life, it enhances it. I love the universe that is handed to me every morning when I open my laptop. I am a sucker for words. And music. And faith. And animals. And snacks. And art. And people. And stories. I love the stories.

Guy Stuff

"Bob, that chapped lip is looking pretty rough."

"I know, Mom. I put Chapstick on it. Did you see the splinter in my finger?"

"Do you want me to get it out?"

"No, that's okay. How about this bruise on my side from when I ran into the table? Did you see?"

"Ow, Bob. You're kind of a mess."

"No, I'm just kind of a boy."

Smacksy Sunday Links

These are 10 qualities that will make you a fierce gentleman, but I think they can apply to every fierce person.

How to recognize the artists of paintings.

This helmet camera captures a firefighter bringing a tiny kitten back to life.

Happy Sunday.

Smacksy Saturday Photo: Like A Boss

Hello.

Mad Science

"That science teacher is the coolest teacher."

"I know, Bob."

"Yeah. And the three of us get to be together too."

"I know, Desmond."

"Science is awesome, Felix. Don't you know that it's awesome?"

"I know. Wait! You guys! You guys!"

"What?"

"Wanna hear me burp?"

"Yeah!"

"Totally!"

Close

"So Bob, I heard one of the girls from school tried to kiss you today."

"Yeah Dad, but she didn't get me."

"Wow."

"Yeah, she hugged me twice though. I guess she really embarrassed herself."

"Herself? What about you?"

"Well, yeah I was mostly pretty totally embarrassed too."

On the Clock

"Okay. Time's up, Bob."

"Two more minutes?"

"Screen time's over now."

"Thirty more seconds?"

"Now."

"Mom, when I grow up I'm going to be a movie maker, then I can watch screens all day."