"Can We Talk..?" 'Michael A. Herr' (Aloha Friday)

Renowned author Michael Herr is back guest-blogging on this awesome Aloha Friday talking about people not talking anymore... Make sure and check out Michael's website at; http://www.michaelherr.com/

It's Aloha Friday... "Can We Talk?"

Aloha folks,

Seems like every day Apple or Google come out with a new hi-tech cell phone, and then Verizon or one of the other companies comes out with a new plan that everyone just has to have. (2G, 3G, 4G . . . what do those mean?)

It used to be that you could go away for the weekend and have peace and quiet. Now I doubt there anyplace on Earth where someone selling insurance can't reach you. Or maybe that important call is from someone guaranteeing to improve your love life . . . by adding inches to it.

It used to be that phones were for talking on. Now they're primarily for texting on.

Every day I read letters sent to Dear Amy, Dear Abby, Miss Manners and a dozen other etiquette gurus. All with the same topic. "How do I get my kids to stop texting at (the dinner table, when we're visiting relatives, in church, etc)?"

As a society, we're hurting. You've seen the joke about the couple sitting across the table from each other in a romantic restaurant, and texting each other? It's no longer a joke. "Hey, look at this picture of cute cat laughing." "Hilarious, but check out this picture of a naked guy streaking at a soccer game." "I think our waiter just brought our order. I'll send you a picture of it." "Looks delicious. Shall we eat?" "Hold on, my cousin Larry just texted me."

I visited some relatives recently, and after a perfunctory greeting from a high-school-age niece I watched her check-out for the rest of the evening with her cell phone. I guess she had a good time, too bad she couldn't spend some of it with us.

My mom taught me to engage strangers in conversation. I still enjoy striking up a conversation with someone behind me or in front of me while I wait in line at the grocery store of the bank. But lately it's much harder to do that. Everyone in line seems to be on their cell phones texting away. I think they do it partly to throw up a protective barrier around themselves. After all, you had to break in on a private conversation.

Except it's not a conversation. A conversation involves at least two people actually talking with each other. Preferably face-to-face. Talking on the phone counts, somewhat. But a good real conversation requires that you are able to see the other person's face. Read their emotions as they talk. See what effect you're words have on them. Can't do that with a cell phone text.

Okay folks, see you next week. And between now and then . . . talk, actually talk, with someone... http://www.michaelherr.com/

Hana Hou, (Encore) "Oceanic Time Warner cable-Source."

Breaking News, The local statewide blackout of KITV the Hawaii based ABC affiliate as been settled.

Here's what it said on Oceanic's website;" http://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/OceanicCable

"Great News! We have reached a long-term agreement with Hearst Television and our customers can expect their signals to be restored to our cable systems shortly. We thank our customers for their patience and their willingness to stick with us through another unnecessary broadcaster blackout."

"Yea! The News station's were afraid to run the black-out story. I tried to get KHNL to run a story and they said it was a touchy subject. What the hell do these News anchors think news is? The weather with Guy Hagi? Not. Thank G-d they are coming back in time for the season finale of "The Bachelorette," that's right the bachelorette, I admit I watch it, I watch it because it's so ridiculous, It should be called, "Rich White spoiled bratty kids try to get  a piece of you know what. I hate it so much I like it ,if that's possible." "Welcome back KITV!"
James "Kimo" Rosen

Hana Hou (Encore)  Source-Facebook Shares
http://www.michaelherr.com

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