Spell me a word. Any word. In what order do you press the keys? Not in the same order as me, in many cases. How do you spell "predominant"? Not quite the same as you do. But does that make it wrong or does that mean it's changing? This is a paradox to be considered and pondered over by all lovers of language and grammar - we are fascinated by language change but we're horrified by non-standard spellings which could indicate the beginning of the aforementioned mutation.
What's a girl to do?
Having said that, the inevitable adaptation in language that technology has brought never fails to amaze me. Not necessarily the 'variations' (meaning ghastly) in spelling that the lack of online editing allows into the world, but, more literally, the way we can just press a button and create a letter; press two and create a word; press a selection and create a poem, a story, a song... something which has meaning to somebody, somewhere. How can a button make a letter appear on a screen? How can I make words without speaking or writing?
I express words through my fingers. I create sound through something that isn't my mouth. You assimilate words through something that isn't your ears; you can hear me through your eyes. It unifies us, this - we are one through the language which has words but no sound. This world of technology has created us - a plastic connection.
And with that to consider, I'll leave you with a random pointless 'story' my fingers wrote without consulting my brain. If you get it, leave a comment - I'll be interested to know whether or not you see where I was going with it.
Molly x
Mindless.
Click. Click. Click.
Heads down. Eyes blank. Fingers move. Keep busy, don't look up, don't make eye contact. Exist in solitude, because after all, it's easier like that, isn't it?
Regress. Begin. Open your eyes - no, open them. Really look at the world. Don't see it. Look at it. Notice it. Delight in it. How old were you when it happened? When did you become disillusioned with the world?
Heads down. Eyes blank. Fingers move. She doesn't understand. Touch the keys, type the words. Ignore everything except the feel of the plastic beneath your fingers. She complains. Look at the clock. What time is it? Still two more hours. Oh God, two more hours. Then I can go home. She'll ask me about my day. I don't want to talk about it.
Boss is on his way over. Don't talk to me, don't talk to m-- oh hi, yes, I'm doing it n- yes, it'll be done- you want it for whe-? Another file? More work? She won't be happy. Of course I can do it- yes, sir. Sorry, sir. Three bags full, sir. I am a slave to you.
Close the program. Get your coat. Switch off the light. In the lift. In the car. Key in the door. How was your day? Leave me alone. Are you in a bad mood? Another file? Why can't they-- zone out. Ignore her. Mindless.
Am I happy?
Friday 22 October 2010
Saturday 9 October 2010
October 9th: The disappearance of rough edges.
If ever you happen to be taking a stroll alongside a river, or in a forest, or even just on a street, pause for a moment. Bend down and scrutinise the ground upon which you're placing your feet; think for a while about all the geological substance which supports us, is always there beneath us, waiting to catch us, whenever we feel the need.
Aim for the moon, the well known saying goes, for even if you fail you will land among the stars. Now, not only is that not exactly scientifically true, the moon being closer than the stars, but it is also somewhat disrespectful to the Earth. How many people are there in the world whose ambition is to 'reach for the stars', or to 'fly high', and how many people long to be 'over the moon' or 'on cloud nine'? And how many people, I wonder, wish to stay grounded?
We're always talking about the sky, always telling ourselves there is always more to discover, more to learn - and so there is. The sky is, as they say, the limit. But why stop there? And what's beyond the sky? Another planet? More ground? Why do we appreciate different ground but dismiss our own? The grass is always greener on the other side.
Don't it always seem to go that you don't know what you've got 'til it's gone? In the wise words of Joni Mitchell, yes. It does. Everybody is so blinded by what they don't have that they don't realize what they do and even when they stop and think about it, they're so worried about everything that they can't see clearly. Sometimes it takes the arrival of somebody into your world to wipe the windscreen of life so that you're not seeing through dirt clouded eyes anymore. And then once they've arrived, it's so easy to become used to their presence, to depend upon them to support you - they become the ground. They hold you up and you use them as a stepping stone to reach where you really want to be in life. Oh, you don't use them, of course you don't, but maybe you start to take them for granted and you forget how lucky you are to know them in the first place.
Don't. Just don't. Stop right now and think of everyone you're lucky to know and everything you're lucky to have. Give yourself five reasons you're happy to be who you are, and if you're not happy being who you are, who are you and who do you want to be? Do you truly know the people around you? Do you know what you want from life? Do you truly know yourself? Think about it. Dig out your windscreen wash and scrape away the dirt stopping you from seeing your world your way. It's your world, so be metaphorically (and literally) environmentally friendly. Walk a path and give yourself directions. It doesn't matter if you get lost, because every turn will lead you to where you're destined to be.
The ground we walk on will always support us. The people who love us will always catch us. Pebbles on a beach all look the same, their rough edges worn away by the sea; don't let the world wear away your rough edges. Keep them, because they're what make you unique.
Molly x
Aim for the moon, the well known saying goes, for even if you fail you will land among the stars. Now, not only is that not exactly scientifically true, the moon being closer than the stars, but it is also somewhat disrespectful to the Earth. How many people are there in the world whose ambition is to 'reach for the stars', or to 'fly high', and how many people long to be 'over the moon' or 'on cloud nine'? And how many people, I wonder, wish to stay grounded?
We're always talking about the sky, always telling ourselves there is always more to discover, more to learn - and so there is. The sky is, as they say, the limit. But why stop there? And what's beyond the sky? Another planet? More ground? Why do we appreciate different ground but dismiss our own? The grass is always greener on the other side.
Don't it always seem to go that you don't know what you've got 'til it's gone? In the wise words of Joni Mitchell, yes. It does. Everybody is so blinded by what they don't have that they don't realize what they do and even when they stop and think about it, they're so worried about everything that they can't see clearly. Sometimes it takes the arrival of somebody into your world to wipe the windscreen of life so that you're not seeing through dirt clouded eyes anymore. And then once they've arrived, it's so easy to become used to their presence, to depend upon them to support you - they become the ground. They hold you up and you use them as a stepping stone to reach where you really want to be in life. Oh, you don't use them, of course you don't, but maybe you start to take them for granted and you forget how lucky you are to know them in the first place.
Don't. Just don't. Stop right now and think of everyone you're lucky to know and everything you're lucky to have. Give yourself five reasons you're happy to be who you are, and if you're not happy being who you are, who are you and who do you want to be? Do you truly know the people around you? Do you know what you want from life? Do you truly know yourself? Think about it. Dig out your windscreen wash and scrape away the dirt stopping you from seeing your world your way. It's your world, so be metaphorically (and literally) environmentally friendly. Walk a path and give yourself directions. It doesn't matter if you get lost, because every turn will lead you to where you're destined to be.
The ground we walk on will always support us. The people who love us will always catch us. Pebbles on a beach all look the same, their rough edges worn away by the sea; don't let the world wear away your rough edges. Keep them, because they're what make you unique.
Molly x
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