Okay, I will be the first to admit that I am a traditionalist: my office consists of an old fashioned Rolodex, I like writing cards and licking stamps and...
...I even like sending real photos through the mail.
Since I am in the minority, the e-cards I'm receiving are piling in with many quite lovely. One source I personally recommend is https://www.jacquielawson.com/. Not only are her creations beautiful, I am in awe of her amazing skill especially since Ms.Lawson is blind. Since 'seeing is believing' and if you've the time, you should take a peak at her extraordinary work.
Recently, I've received an e-card from a very conservative client of mine that read:
Hi Babe,
Wishing you and yours the best Christmas ever!
Steve :-*
Babe? :-*? I am confused. True, Steve and I have a wonderful relationship but it is strictly professional and we are both married to other people.
Okay, the 'babe thing' might be a mistake but now I'm stuck on the symbol next to his name. To be frank, I've never used hieroglyphics and only learned what 'lol' meant last year....
Since ignorance is not bliss I decide to call on a mutual friend to help out with this dilemma.
"Hey, Mai, did you hear from Steve this year?"
"Yeah, babe , I did."
Silence. Since silence is not Mary Beth's style, I am even more confused...
"Well did he send you a Christmas card ?"
"Yeah, babe , he did."
What's this babe thing, I think to myself as I pry further, " Did you notice anything unusual ?"
"Yeah, babe , I did."
Ah-ha! She got it too! I may be slow, but I eventually come around....
"So, babe, are we Steve's new babes ?"
We simultaneously burst out laughing as we discover we've both received the same card.
I then e-mail her the symbol and ask her what it means?
Again, silence.
"Mai, 'you there?"
"Gee, Jude, I'm jealous -- I only got a 'babe' but you got a kiss too!"
"Huh?"
"That symbol means 'kiss' -- I can't believe you're not hip to all the e-mail lingo... check your mail in a few and I'll send over a cheat sheet for you -- you just may need it for Laura."
Mischievously, I respond, "Thanks, babe ."
As promised, my friend e-mails me a quick cheat sheet and, as I scroll down the entire list, I discover how out of touch I am.
For instance:
:) or :-) [ Don't take me too seriously ]
:'-) [ So happy it brings me to tears ]
;) or ;-) [ wink or flirting ]
;-> [ Mischievous -or- I'm up to something you'll like ]
:-, [ grin ]
:-D [ laughter ]
:-O [ surprise or oh, my ]
8- I [ anxious or nervous ]
:-* [ kiss ]
:-{} [ blowing a kiss ]
:-I [ irritated ]
:-z [ angry ]
;'-( [ I'm crying ]
8-0 [ wow!]
(( ))** or ((**)) [ hugs n kisses ]
(*.*) [ star-struck ]
(((name))) [ I'm giving name a hug ]
[ ] [ I need a hug ]
:-[ [ pouting ]
}{ [ nose to nose ]
:-( or :( [ bummer or I'm sad ]
:-/ [ doubtful or something fishy here ]
:- & [ speechless or tongue tied ]
:-# or :-x [ censored or not for publication ]
!?! [ what! ]
:-T [ I'm not going to comment ]
<:( [ I feel like a dunce ]
***
Well, as they say in New York, 'who knew' but, just to play it safe, I think I'll leave the 'babe thing' alone and let that one remain a mystery :-D
2008 Judi Lynn Lake. All Rights Reserved.
Judi Lynn Lake has kept up with leading edge business trends throughout her varied and successful career. She had already had her ‘15 minutes of fame’ over and over again before starting her family. Judi and her family now reside in South Carolina but, having been born and raised on Long Island, NY, it is clearly evident that she will always be a "New Yorker." Today, she successfully runs her own advertising agency which handles everything from logos, branding and package design while she continues to work closely with self-published authors from design to promotion.
Judi an intersting tale which leaves me somewhat speechless and those who know me kow that is almost impossible. yet in this day and age who knows? Best wishes, Robert
» left by Judi Lake(1,891) Judi Lake (291 days 17 hours ago.)
Well, Robert, that makes two of us because I too was speechless when I received that e-mail however I later found out it was meant to be a joke - but it did give me and my girlfriend a good laugh!'hope your Christmas was great! Respond to this comment
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Okay, I will be the first to admit that I am a traditionalist: my office consists of an old fashioned Rolodex, I like writing cards and licking stamps and... 
