Miss SHao and I were talking, like literal in-person style. But when I told her I (finally) had Messenger, she scurried back to her desk so we could IM. And it was SO MUCH MORE FUN
When I need to talk to the homies Back East, I don't want to *call* them. I prefer to schedule a heart-to-heart G-chat date. And sometimes, if I log on Gmail at just the right time, there is a little green dot next to the name of my sister in Tel Aviv. And when words from her pop up on the screen--about everyday things, her husband walking in the door--I flip out.
Why is that so amazing to me? The technology has existed for ages that would allow me to hear her voice.
Does the charm lie in the comfortably casual nature of the instant message? The fact that it employs written words, which are my favorite kind? The balance it strikes between intimacy and remove? Because talking on the phone can make me nervous. (Why do you work as a receptionist then? Huh. Good question.)
Maybe it's just an extra-fun medium, combining speech-like rapidity and use of the written word; it rewards cleverness (and I like to think that I'm clev-aaah, like Badu.) And you can abruptly say a link, like, http://www.mypetchicken.com/catalog/Day-Old-Baby-Chicks/Wyandotte-Standard-Silver-Laced-p235.aspx. Which you can't do in talking life.
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