I recently found out an old friend’s address from another friend. Well actually both pals are old school mates from 27 years ago. I also discovered, and it really made me laugh, was that my old buddy did not “do computers”.
What does this mean? He, I assume, does not use computers of any kind. No word processing. No spreadsheets and certainly no internet. That means no email and you can forget about Facebook and Twitter.
How refreshing it is to find someone who doesn’t use computers!
Does this guy belong to another age, I hear you ask, one not far removed from the realm of dinosaurs? I don’t think so. It’s a matter of choice. Why follow the crowd? Why bunny hop in the same direction? Why fall off the cliff like so many lemmings? Exactly what this metaphorical cliff is I can’t tell you.
Anyway, I wrote my friend a letter. I saw black ink tangling its way across a page. My handwriting didn’t seem too bad. It was wonderful to pen such a letter. I can’t recall the last time I had done so. Perhaps it was in the days before email. (I think I sent my first email across the internet around 1997 and the first web page I downloaded was the Star online which took many minutes to appear).
The letter will get there in about a week or so. Hopefully, I may get a reply in 3 weeks. This is indeed something to look forward to. No instant communication. No instant gratification. This is real snail mail. Time itself slows.
Do you have any friends that “don’t do” computers?
8 responses so far ↓
Naz // July 1, 2009 at 11:52 am |
Salam…
I am in a small circle of friends who despite it all still succumb to the thrill of snail mail every now and then. True enough that by the time we get the letters, the content would be old news but my oh my, how lovely it is to see each other’s handwritings again. Nothing beats snail mail, if you ask me
Ru // July 2, 2009 at 1:55 am |
I think I would have typed it out and edited it first before actually copying it down with a pen, LOL!
Andrea Whatever // July 3, 2009 at 1:21 pm |
Dear Tunku,
The last time I handwrote a letter was years ago – when I was in boarding school; to request for some “emergency funding” after I blew my budget whilst partaking some form of *cough* therapy *cough* at Marks & Sparks
tunkuhalim // July 5, 2009 at 5:47 am |
Naz – There’s something very personal about seeing actual handwriting. There’s a connection that’s so absent in an email.
Ru – Ha ha! I like that!
Andrea – Retail therapy, huh … sounds almost as good as writing a good old fashioned letter!
just me // July 6, 2009 at 9:24 am |
One’s handwriting speaks a little of one’s
personality but we all hide behind email these
days.
just me
tunkuhalim // July 10, 2009 at 7:30 am |
Just Me – handwriting is unique, special even. It gives a physical connection an email can’t, don’t you think?
just me // July 10, 2009 at 11:29 am |
Snail mail has that drawing magnetism about it,
I know. Waiting for the postman , unfolding the
letter , reading, ( and re-reading the contents)all
add to the thrill of receiving a snail mail.
In my case, I will win the prize for the
worst handwriting contest , if there is one!
just me
tunkuhalim // September 4, 2009 at 9:25 am |
Just me – Perhaps your handwriting is a work of art? There is such a romance in letters (even if just to a friend). Unfortunately, these romantic days are gone!