txt msg

So a couple weeks ago at a friends one night over a nice evening of wine and chilled company I got in a friendly argument about text messaging. I wasn't a fan. It costs extra money. People text to avoid talking on the phone it seems. And it takes forever to write a text. Well, I was considered old-fashioned - not embracing all the new technology that is thrown at us. Later in the night I was taught how to properly text message - noone ever told me about T9! I was tapping away until I got to each letter on the phone. Using T9 - which is just automatically 'on' for my phone (it's a newer improved version apparently), I just type away and it predicts what I'm writing and really cuts the time down alot - so there goes that argument.

So first a little background, so you understand where I am coming from. Back in my day there were no cell phones, let alone texting (yes it's a verb now). Frankly we didn't even have internet or email. Now kids all have cell phones - younger and younger kids. It's their generation that texts. But as my friend pointed out, there are advantages to this alternative medium of communication. For his line of work where he's always on the road - it's part of his business - lining up gigs and jobs. It's a great way to communicate when you don't want to bother someone (they're busy in a meeting, asleep, or whatever) and he attested it was a great way to flirt. I wasn't sold. Although looking on wikipedia, "there is no age limit to SMS usage" even the retired folks are doing it. And apparently in Malaysia it used to be that the Islamic traditional divorce (saying "I divorce you" three times in succession) wasn't valid via text messaging, but txting has caught on so much now that in 2003, they now allow it. And apparently that's how Britney Spears let K Fed know she wanted out!

Anyways, back to me. Things have changed. As I'm busy, running around, but wanting to drop a note - I could text. I don't have internet at home, so txting is really the way to go. Also, I have more friends now that text on a regular basis. When I went to NYC last weekend - that's how we coordinated getting together most of the time. It was much easier to text while in a museum rather than having to run out to use the cell phone. And, as my friend pointed out - it is really fun to flirt via txt msg. So there is this boy in NYC (not this boy from before, but a new one) that I hung out with with Saturday night. Not sure where things will go, just having fun with the here and now (at least trying). He's a great guy, really fun and gentlemanly. And also preapproved by having mutual friends. We really hit it off and I had a great weekend in NYC. But he's horrible on the phone - like most boys (why is that?). That's where my second argument get's thrown out. He's a big flirt txting. My friend was right.

So all that I have left in my camp is that it's expensive - and it is. At $0.15 a message (both ways - incoming and outgoing), I don't want to see my bill for this month, it's going to add up. I mentioned it to a colleague and apparently there is an add on I can do on my bill. For a flat fee, I can get unlimited txt msging for only $4 or $5. Apparently I don't really have a case against txt msging anymore.

The one problem (ok two) I have is that, in case you haven't noticed, I'm not succinct. Text messaging is short. I've been having to re-adjust to saying things with less words (and of course abbreviating). Short sentences. The second issue is that T9 only works if you know how to spell the word. Case in point - I had to just look up 'succinct' and 'sentences'. I'm still learning.