15 Comments
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Trudy Gold's avatar

Oh Leah. I love it. I love Tom. I love that you write long missives in text. And totally identify with the guilty pleasure that seems to come from that sort of endeavour. Me too (of course)! However, being of a slightly older generation, I find the pleasure much more pleasurable when using a keyboard on my laptop. Faster. I was trained on that keyboard long ago (grade 8 or 9 I think it was. Actually attending keyboard classes). Using texting as both communication -- full communication -- and pleasurable play with words. Yes. Yes. and Yes. I've often found myself writing long texts to friends who respond with short & sweet little one liners. Sometimes that is fine. Sometimes it creates an unfilled abyss. Thus it goes, eh? Thank you for this post. VERY satisfying.

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Leah McLaren's avatar

Trudy you need WhatsApp desktop!

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Jo Sundberg's avatar

I am just so relieved that I am not the only one who writes long missives in text ☺️.

And yes I have to write them on my keyboard also to protect my finger. Old school. I have not yet worked out the art of thumb texting on my phone.

WhatsApp desktop is great but you have to be careful when you do paragraphs. If you push return it sends your message. And then you have to say to your long suffering recipient - "oh whoops didn't mean to send, not finished yet....so as I was saying....."

I think its command and return that you need to press at the same time to get a paragraph.

Jo ☺️

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James Glave's avatar

Truly baffling but worthwhile. Would listen again. 4/5 stars.

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Tony Nester's avatar

A clever bloke speaking word spaghetti

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Leah McLaren's avatar

if you read out the essay in a southern drawl it becomes a Cohen brothers script

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MR ROBERT THOMPSON's avatar

What's 'pointless' depends on your personal culture, everyone else can just mind their own business. I love your reference to being silly/playful, Leah. I suspect if more folk could stop being so serious the Earth would be a better habitat for humanity. We must always be thankful for what we think and if we can muster the courage to share our thoughts then wow; we've seeded the land for gardens of gratitude to bloom. https://catchmydrift.blog/2023/11/13/re-think/

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Leah McLaren's avatar

Obviously could not agreed more

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frank baldock's avatar

A mere 23 seconds of a first delightful encounter with Tom. A taster, if you will.

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Tony Nester's avatar

I’d like to say something cutting and witty but I don’t understand what he’s saying .Worth every bit of the £200 p h he charges.

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Leah McLaren's avatar

I'm sure it's much more than that but take your point!

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Tony Nester's avatar

I’d comment but I’m speechless

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Leah McLaren's avatar

never!!!

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Jo Sundberg's avatar

I love this and so relate! My friends are very patient with my need to write missives in our text correspondence. Although I know they secretly roll their eyes. Why waste an opportunity though, to tell a little story or have a play with words in the process of giving a response! I wish I had a friend like Tom. He gets it. He doesn't sound like a pretentious twat. He sounds like the kind of person I would love to receive a text or audio from. I am always a sucker for those posh British accents, being a Kiwi girl.

Just discovered you here Leah and love your writing. Thanks Jo ☺️

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Leah McLaren's avatar

Thank you Jo, and I agree -- Tom has a voice for voicenotes!

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