Kofa Mts, AZ 1-28-21
As I sit out here in the all alone desert watching my daily world much like above, spinning stories, taking photos, and generally letting time slip away, I sometimes long for conversation. Not necessarily long periods of time or in need of a full-time person(s) around. However, I do talk to myself quite a bit, oh and Sierra also who is a lacking conversationalist unlike other cats I’ve known. I do realize conversation requires at least two, but in today’s world not always face-to-face. The internet has made it possible for us to communicate with people all over the world, quickly depending on your signal. I LOVE that! I do however, also like real time, maybe still at six feet apart these days. Is anybody else hurtin’ for hugs? Either way, or all the ways, conversation requires a back and forth of words, one talks while other(s) listen, then respond. It’s an exchange, give and take, a movement of energy back and forth. Otherwise, I don’t see a conversation.
When I put out a rambling blog post about my previous week’s activities and mind-drifting I am shocked that hundreds of people at least view the post, and hopefully read. Thank you. I wish you’d leave a comment so I’d know who you are and I can respond, creating a conversation. All you lovely lurkers have me at a disadvantage with knowing so much about me.
Sandstone layers at White Pocket, AZ 5-28-15
Since blogging, my life is pretty much an open book. (And speaking of books, I am scheduling time almost daily to work on that.) A really big thanks goes out to all those people I’ve met online (and frequently in real time too) and gotten to know through conversation over the many years. Your blog post comments feed my ego, thank you.
A prickly situation, Cholla & Saguaro, Organ Pipe National Monument, AZ 3-8-20
Never met a stranger
Since childhood I’ve been a talker, stranger or not. Never would have gotten by with that in today’s world. I got in trouble for talking in class when I was suppose to be doing something else, like reading, studying, or paying attention. However, I was a good student. And over and above all the art classes I could take, my favorite class was Improv, a drama class. Sorry, I got ahead of myself here. Talking and conversation are two different things. I’m still working on that.
Dotted with color, Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument, AZ 3-8-20
Telephone to dial-up
Does anybody else remember the first phone in your house? A large black plastic box on the wall or desk with a handset for speaking and listening. (I’m not old enough for the cranking wood box version or switchboard operators.) Not that I was allowed, or old enough, to use the phone, but I remember is was a “party-line” shared with a neighbor and each of us had a different ring combination. You could listen in on their conversation, but don’t get caught. It was considered a privilege to own a telephone.
People and rock, Delicate Arch, Arches National Park, UT 9-30-15
As a teenager, I begged for a pastel colored princess phone in my bedroom but was told no as I already tied up the line for way too much time with useless conversation. I did eventually pay to have a separate line put into my bedroom. Had it done while my parents were on vacation. Upon their return, we had quite a conversation. I don’t remember that being good, but I did have my own phone and local calls were free. Long distance on the other hand was costly. Good thing I didn’t have friends far away like I do now.
Goodnight desert, Ghost Town Road, Congress, AZ 4-1-20
Those first main-frame computer rooms were the size of a large walk-in closet and kept almost as cold as a freezer. The first cell phone I saw in the 1990s was the size of a lunchbox and didn’t work very well. That was about the same time I was introduced to the internet where I thought all the information in the world would be at my fingertips. Not so as I quickly discovered most of the “information” was one person’s opinion. Not like a book reviewed by peers and editor.
View from a friend’s, Walnut Grove, AZ 4-30-20
Then there was email, and how cool was that. Sending a message, short or long, around the world without licking a postage stamp. Of course, answer time varied depending on the recipient of said email. Responses could vary from minutes to never. There was the possibility your email went into SPAM and never seen by the recipient. Sure took me a long time before looking in that overflowing folder where I’d always find a long-lost “real” message. That algorithm has greatly improved over time and I check more frequently looking for those occasional keepers. A great way to have a conversation.
Last light, Wotans Throne, Cape Royal, North Rim Grand Canyon National Park, AZ 8-24-16
For me, blogging was next when back in the fall of 2008 a friend on the North Rim encouraged me to blog, and first I had to figure out what that meant. The name comes from the idea of keeping a journal, or a web log. Heck I’ve been a journal writer almost all my life. After first discovering the internet I worked hard for years not to leave any footprint. And now, 13 years later, I’m all over the web. I love having a conversation with people from all over the world.
I began blogging on dial-up and posted everyday. I can’t imagine doing that today. Did I have more patience and time? I linked to memes and got into conversation with other bloggers. It’s a time consuming process to write and read, but I love it. Many folks have stopped blogging, and a few have passed away.
Shine the light, Ghost Town Rd, Congress AZ 4-12-20
Social media time suck
About a year after starting the blog, I joined FB and was hooked. How fun to see what my growing number of friends were up to. I love to chat, such a nice conversation with real pauses. My preference is to use the laptop where it’s easier to type than the phone. Even easier now with voice messages. Make it short and sweet please, otherwise call me.
I tried other social media. Twitter is just too fast for me. Pintrest was too much work to keep up with. Same true with Instagram. I already spend way too much time online and don’t want it to BE my life. MyTwitFace is too much conversation, thank you.
Flowering desert, Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument, AZ 3-8-20
Over and above the blog, I have a photography website that costs me $30/year and I never make enough selling anything to pay for it. (Link on sidebar.) Good thing it’s cheap. If something does sell I don’t even know who bought it, there’s no option for conversation there unless they make a comment. Or, it’s one of you folks making the purchase and let me know. Thank you. I haven’t added any new photos to the site in years. Takes lots of time and bandwidth that I don’t often have. Besides, I gave up thinking I’d become a famous photographer and get rich. LOL! More fun to keep that a hobby and continue to challenge myself to learn.
Fall reflections, Aspen Mirror Lake, Dixie National Forest, UT 10-2-20
Conversation
With all the choices for conversation, does anybody talk on the phone any more? I so rarely get or make phone calls. Oh, other than “the warranty on your vehicle…” And now days, everybody has a telephone, even kids. I haven’t bought into this yet, but think of the convenience of walking and talking on the phone. However if I’m multi-tasking, I’m not really part of the conversation.
Light and shadow, Ghost Town Rd, Congress, AZ 4-18-20
I was late in the game to texting and now I’m hooked. Especially with voice messages because that QWERTY board is a pain. Once again, make it quick please.
Soldiers at attention, Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument, AZ 3-8-20
Yet I always come back to blogging, sharing stories and photos. Yea, it’s me talking, you reading, and hopefully making a comment that I will reply to and then there’s conversation.
Shadow play, Bryce Canyon National Park, UT 10-20-20
Any of this ring a bell? I’m trying to provoke you. What is your favorite form of conversation?
The Grand Staircase from LeFevre overlook, AZ 4-28-21
I may have gotten carried away here. When my mind gets on a roll, I can’t easily stop it. Hope I didn’t offend, or bore, anyone and you’ll keep reading whether you comment or not. But if you’re so inclined please leave a comment and become part of the conversation.
BTW, photos are from 2021 “because” file (even though some of them are older), and hopefully haven’t been shared before.
