The Beauty of Handwritten

I was just now thinking of making a list of the "things I want on my new website". I briefly considered opening up a word document, which I suppose would make sense, seeing as I am already on my computer and all... But I instead reached for my pen and notebook. There is just something about putting pen to paper that the plastic-y whir of a keyboard will never do for me. I just enjoy hand writing things, most especially letters, and I typically do so in the all but forgotten cursive style.

While we are on the subject of letters... I might as well say that I am not very fond of email. Sure it is fast and convenient. What isn't these days? But it is just so impersonal. I mean, I don't know about you, but the majority of the mail that is delivered to my house consists of bills and just rubbish. It feels so nice to look through the envelopes and find my own name, in the hand of another actual human being as opposed to a computer printed label.



As you can probably tell, I am not a very big proponent of most sorts of technology. Of course there are plenty of things I love and find very useful... Such as my DSLR camera and other photography related items... But I use these things to capture personal memories for families and people. Most technology, as with email, makes me feel as though we as humans are growing further and further away from one another. I have one friend who, when in the same house as another family member even, will call or text that person to talk to them rather than getting up and having a face to face conversation. That's just so impersonal to me! Not to mention rather lazy... But I digress.

The virtual world has created many "tough guys", too. Since we don't have to actually speak to, or see, the person we are texting, emailing... Whatever... We are much more able to say hurtful things that we normally would not want to say face to face. For example, one friend recently was dumped by her boyfriend via poorly written, not to mention utterly insulting text message. I truly do not believe the young man would ever have the courage to say those things to anyone's face, let alone someone he shared his life with for any length of time. How very rude!

One last thing that I really cannot stand... Virtual books. I am a collector. I admit. I like *stuff*. I know that making the entire world virtual will "simplify our lives" and all that jazz... But I am in love with books. The smell, the feel of the pages, especially with untrimmed edges. Wondering who has held the same volume... Read and reread the same passages you have. It is just an experience that e-books just cannot hold a candle to.



With that, I will finish. But first allow me to urge you to close the inbox that we all know is constantly open on your screen. Instead of sending a **virtual birthday card with flash animation**, go ahead and send a tangible birthday card that you will sign your actual name to! I am sure the person receiving it will be tickled!

Happy Sunday!

(I must say I adore this quote...)
"I would be most content if my children grew up to be the kind of people who think decorating consists mostly of building enough bookshelves."
~Anna Quindlen