2005.04.08
"I'm ambivalent. In fact that's my new favorite word."I've been thinking about this dialog lately, thinking about the things in life I'm actually ambivalent about. That's the problem with bring pretty good at seeing both sides of most issues.
"Do you know what that means, ambivalence?"
"I don't care."
"If it's your favorite word, I would've thought you would..."
"It means I don't care. That's what it means."
"On the contrary, Susanna. Ambivalence suggests strong feelings... in opposition. The prefix, as in "ambidextrous," means "both." The rest of it, in Latin, means "vigor." The word suggests that you are torn... between two opposing courses of action."
"Will I stay or will I go?"
"Am I sane... or, am I crazy?"
"Those aren't courses of action."
"They can be, dear - for some."
"Well, then - it's the wrong word."
"No. I think it's perfect."
Thought of the Moment
Cellphone connections are often a little bit crappy, but speech is so redundant often it doesn't even matter in terms of comprehension. However, "hold music" can sound awful...you hear ever little bit where the connection momentarily drops out. I wonder if the increasing use of cellphones will eventually lead companies to just have silence with the ocassional "still holding" message, or if cell connections will improve.
Of course, nothing is more annoying than on-hold music that's periodically interrupted by an automated voice...you can just tune out the music, but the voice keeps grabbing your attention...