Quite cold here, but doing OK
Skype - Lights, Camera , ACTION!
I had to get ready tonight for my second Skype appearance. Hair was newly dyed and coiffed, makeup was put on, the set (kitchen) straightened up, a rehearsal was done and now "Ready when you are CB."
I made my first screen appearance on December 26th, the day after my children gave me my wonderful new iPad with the app Skype downloaded. At about 8:30 am, my dear son, Andy, called me on my iBaby (yes, lovin' my new i). I was still in bed, as the day before had been very eventful and I was sleeping in (OK, maybe it was 9:30). The ring startled me and I picked it up from where it lay next to me. As I opened it it up and clicked "accept" (or something like that), there was Andy with a big smile, and in the corner of the screen was me, not exactly looking my best. If I had thought about it, I would have put the pillow case over my face. It was very nice of him to call, as he is my son and as such, does not phone that often. However, I was not prepared for this and was a little rattled by this invasion of my personal space. He loves me though, no matter my squinty, swollen eyes and baggy chin(s).
For my second time on Skype though, I would be ready. The scene would be set, the lighting low, and I would suck in any and everything possible. Hubby and I had tried it out the week before so as not to embarrass ourselves and appear like those old people whose You Tube video went viral a few months ago. No, that was not going to be us. We are savvy computer people. So after about 15 tries with the darn thing hanging up on us over and over, we finally had success. Eventually we had clicked on the right icons and wowee, I could talk and see hubby on his phone as he sat in the next room from me. Are we cool or what?
So tonight I called my daughter who lives on the other side of the country and told her that I was planning on Skyping her. She asked me to wait a few minutes so she could fix up her computer room. I told her that was silly, there was no reason to have to do that. I did not tell her of all the preparations that I had made for "our scene." We connected easily and I got to see her and my beautiful and talented grandchildren. They read stories to me, showed me their new outfits, and told me about what was going on in their lives. It was wonderful!
I do have to practice a little more though. At one point, I apparently got too close to the screen and all they could see were the fillings in my teeth. Gosh, I should have gotten that implant.
Skype - Lights, Camera , ACTION!
I had to get ready tonight for my second Skype appearance. Hair was newly dyed and coiffed, makeup was put on, the set (kitchen) straightened up, a rehearsal was done and now "Ready when you are CB."
I made my first screen appearance on December 26th, the day after my children gave me my wonderful new iPad with the app Skype downloaded. At about 8:30 am, my dear son, Andy, called me on my iBaby (yes, lovin' my new i). I was still in bed, as the day before had been very eventful and I was sleeping in (OK, maybe it was 9:30). The ring startled me and I picked it up from where it lay next to me. As I opened it it up and clicked "accept" (or something like that), there was Andy with a big smile, and in the corner of the screen was me, not exactly looking my best. If I had thought about it, I would have put the pillow case over my face. It was very nice of him to call, as he is my son and as such, does not phone that often. However, I was not prepared for this and was a little rattled by this invasion of my personal space. He loves me though, no matter my squinty, swollen eyes and baggy chin(s).
So tonight I called my daughter who lives on the other side of the country and told her that I was planning on Skyping her. She asked me to wait a few minutes so she could fix up her computer room. I told her that was silly, there was no reason to have to do that. I did not tell her of all the preparations that I had made for "our scene." We connected easily and I got to see her and my beautiful and talented grandchildren. They read stories to me, showed me their new outfits, and told me about what was going on in their lives. It was wonderful!
I do have to practice a little more though. At one point, I apparently got too close to the screen and all they could see were the fillings in my teeth. Gosh, I should have gotten that implant.
As my family are thinly spread around the world, Skype has become our major method of communication. Recently a French Santa (me) spoke to two of his grandsons, whilst they were splashing about in their Australian pool. Wonderful.
ReplyDeleteTruly wonderful, Cro.
DeleteI'd have a heart attack every time the phone rang if I knew I was going to be on display.
ReplyDeleteTrue, most of the time I am not ready for prime time.
DeleteGotta love modern technology! My parents love being able to talk to the Grandkids through Skype. So fun. When T and I started dating, we lived a couple hours apart and that is how we communicated. :-) And...yes, I did primp before our sessions!
ReplyDeleteIt really is a great program. However, unless planned, I would rather remain unseen.
DeleteDon't you just love skyping. I was able to talk to my daughter everyday while I was in Sweden. It was fun to be able to share all my experiences before my aged brain let them slip into the recesses. Gosh, I haven't thought about dressing up. Oops!
ReplyDeleteIt sure was great to see my grandchildren, and for that I am so happy thatv there is a program like Skype.
DeleteWe talk to a fellow amateur radio operator on Skype from time to time. He lives in South Africa, and sometimes propagation between us isn't very good on the radio. So, Skype it is. Really, really neat, but I had to laugh the first time we tried it. He commented about the pile of electronic stuff on the pool table behind us. He'd visited us in person some months earlier, and said something about, "I see the place hasn't changed ..."
ReplyDeleteThat is funny. Through Skype, people will get to know our messy little secrets.
DeleteGood job working it out! Hahahaa... first thing hubby and I did was go to different rooms and skype each other. :D
ReplyDeleteSame thing we did. I did not bother to put on makeup that time.
DeleteDear Arleen,
ReplyDeleteYour last paragraph made me break out laughing. And Maggie, the calico cat, looked up startled by the sound! Thank you
This skyping business is of interest to me, but being technologically challenged, I wonder if I could ever do it? I don't even know what the computer needs. Or if a person needs a special computer. Life is racing by. As I age I find it all so fleeting.
So you prettied yourself up for your daughter and grandchildren. I bet what they most noticed was your welcoming smile as they told their stories.
Peace.
If I can do it, so can you. It is a free download and not that hard to set up. You are such a smart lady, it will be easy for you.
DeleteDear Arleen,
DeleteThanks for the vote of confidence. I'm going to investigate this skyping business. It would greatly increase my enjoyment when talking with friends in Minnesota.
Peace.
Good for you! What a production!
ReplyDeleteI'm waiting for the Dick Tracy wristwatch. That's when I'll make the leap. Maybe. Skype's like a miracle, but I don't have it in me to be so techie. I like my phone as is; it was years before I even got caller ID. I'm a real Luddite and will never be a Jetson.
Try it, you will like it.
DeleteA brilliant way to keep in touch with your family Arleen. I think I'm with Delores though about the thought of being on display every time the phone rings could well bring on a heart attack. I really know what she means
ReplyDeleteI think Skype and other programs like it will only be used for specific reasons. Most of us want to keep some things in the dark.
DeleteHeeehehee, what a great gift for your family. You crack me up sister.
ReplyDelete'Don't think I need to be Skypin' down here on the Ozark Ponderosa though. When it's just me and the cows the hair is ponytailed and the make~up is absent. Not a pretty sight. 'Just sayin'!
God bless ya and have yourself a beautiful day sweetie!!! :o)
Nice to meet you Nezzy. You all come back sometime.
DeleteHAHA - that is my picture you posted! I know just what you mean - we have the privilege of skyping my year old grandson every week - I think he thinks I live in a box! lol
ReplyDeletesandie
We must be twins separated at birth.
DeleteGreat post. I haven't yet skypped, nor do I have the urge. I have a question - what happens when there is 'dead air'? I hate that awkward phase on a telephone, but at least you can sit and roll your eyes, or squint whilst trying to think of the next endlessly fascinating bit of conversation to bring up. On Skype you obviously couldn't do those things - so just what do you do?
ReplyDeleteWe had a couple of Asian exchange students with us last year, and they would just set their lap tops down anywhere, walk away and not come back for several minutes, at which time they might or might not pick up the conversation with their folks - I just found the whole thing a bit surreal.
Always have an exit strategy.
DeleteMy youngest daughter (who is expecting her first child in July) and I Skype occasionally. She looks great. I look haggard and a pale shadow of my real beauty. But, when the baby comes, the Skype will be a best friend, no matter how awful I look. Fillings and all.
ReplyDeleteA lovely post, it made me laugh!
ReplyDeleteHey....Sister-in-law.....I just got Skype..we tried the in the next room thing and could talk but couldn't see each other....but we really didn't need to...and then he left the next AM for Argentina....and is not back yet...we will have to try it...I mean you and I....I'm not sure how to initiate it....let me know!!!
ReplyDeleteTotally hilarious - I love my IPAD - we dont do skype - but we do facetime - its the same thing. Truly a wonderful thing to sit in my Sacred Yarn Room and watch through my IPAD our little grand daughter running around and playing.
ReplyDeleteYou keep me in stitches every time I read your posts. You have the greatest sense of humor!!
Vicki