I see that creativity is too often weighed down by routine these days, and a mass tendency to focus on ‘getting things done’ with little room for methodical thinking, innovation, or improvement seems to take charge. And even language has  had to adapt to the faster, practical pace. Phrases, like “make a transition” or “send a message,” have become “transitioning” and “messaging” in order to save time or space, but at the expense of propriety.   Friendly communication should be colorful and relaxed, untainted by the need for efficiency and not wrought with business-oriented words like ‘cancellation, upgrade,’ and ‘available.’ ‘Plans’ and ‘busy’ occupy too much space in our casual  discourse too. And even the infamous little “I’m free” [at such and such time] always aggravates me. Friends’ dialogue that should be simple or instruction that should be straightforward too often becomes a showy display of knowledge and sophistication, and things just aren’t cool unless they’re complicated. Jargon and esoteric phrasing are used commonly, because everyone should know technological words’ meaning. Am I the only one made grouchy by these new trends? Or should I feel free to spout my specialized vocabulary too?

My friend Mike (especially) has a habit of apologizing  for being late when he comes over to my house later than he had told me he would be. Uuugh. I tell him it’s fine. He’s not a client. And the occasion isn’t  an appointment.

I despair when the Big Lots Rewards card allows for coupons and notifications to be sent directly to my cell phone, and when the Real Seafood restaurant has a menu in the form of an I-pad. I don’t have email on my cell phone or familiarity with an I-pad! Am I just supposed to?