Hardcopy

Yesterday, I posted a blog link in Facebook that stated, "You have heard of ‘Infomercials;’ I think I may have created the first instance of the genre ‘Infoetry,’ though it is decent information but bad poetry." In retrospect I realized that I have been using this genre for years and with reasonable effectiveness. This infoetry thing might just catch on. I have included some examples though some will take explanation.

"Sluffeed": A note sent to Jon re getting roped into a leadership position

Some definitions:
     Sluff: verb, to dispose or get rid of, avoid work,
     Sluffer: noun, one who dumps a task on another
     Sluffee: noun, the person who got the task (got dumped on; whoops – got the job)

      Sluffeed
(Or how I Became the Sluffee)

I chose to join to see what I’d see,
     Though the video wasn’t but sound in a box.

Biding my time, low profile that’s me;
     Cagey I thought to use my e-mox.

Little did I know, there the Sluffer would be.
     Gaining my trust to me outfox.

The leader now he wants me to be
     To see with me how his group rocks.

Sure enough, I became the Sluffee;
     And I could ‘a stayed home with my Net Cox.
                    ~ Mr. Sluff-a-luff-a-guess


This was a note to a fellow teacher on borrowing and returning one of her laptops in her absence. I needed it for a Creighton Education Association meeting. The computer was #3, and the note begins with the date.
　
The Borrowed Computer

Two Twenty Six O Three
     +
Mc & CEA = #3

Purloined again
     Without remorse
Returned in the a.m.
     Promptly of course.
               --Michael


An Emmaus R.S.V.P


Ah Janet, you're so on top of it.
Soup ‘n salad is just the right fit.
You lead our tribe with a gentle flair,
Nudging us forward with agape care.

To meet March 8th would be great;
Let's make it an Emmaus date.
Coffee, too, I will bring
Beause you know, I need it to sing

The singing sessions are truly fine
And fit right in after we dine,
But games? Aghast! Oh no!
'Taint a Tupperware party, don’t you know.

To you ladies they’re a delight,
But to the guys they’re another fright.
Save us from that ceremony;
Leave more time for testimony.

We can listen to Eloise and Laurie,
As each has a turn to share their story
While the reflections of Todd and Paul
Can regale our midst as they tell all.

These are my thoughts on the Emmaus gathering
Though to no one else it might be mattering,
And even if I can’t avoid that game,
I will be there just the same.
               ~ Michael


A thank you note to a techie at work:

Up on the Desktop


When what to my wondering eyes did appear,
But a phone on my desk through which I could hear
Those messages so frequent as part of my employment,
To be answered so swiftly for my colleagues enjoyment.

Santa came early, so stealthy it seems
That from ear to ear my smile just beams.
Not in my wildest dreams did I expect such a prize;
Caught without knowing, you took me by surprise.

Tim, thank you so much, you Wichita lineman,
In spite of my cajoling you are quite a fine man.
Installed lickity-split, I’m happy indeed;
The phone on my desk will increase my phone speed.

And you’ll hear me exclaim as I drive out of sight
My phone’s on my desk, and it sits there just right.
May you be equally blessed this holiday season
For just who you are, if for no other reason.

               Merry Christmas,
               ~ Michael

So, maybe there is something to this "infoetry." In our world of mass communications we are beset daily with more information, requests and messages than we can count. Cell phones, texting, Facebook, Twitter, instant messaging, e-cards, and Utube, plus traditional the media of newspapers, magazines, radio, and TV barrage us with messages, sound bites and images. Facebook alone provides a constant influx of information often created not by the person posting it, but by someone else who is generally unknown to us.

We are competing for each other’s attention in our work places, organizations and even in our relationships. Families, friends and certainly colleagues are now spread not just across the country but around the world. Gaining some else’s attention much less interest in what is important to us is becoming increasingly difficult. Yet, there are other ways, some of which are very traditional.

I know of a P.E. teacher who hand wrote all her messages. They were so beautiful that teachers would keep them hanging on their walls long after the content of the message was relevant. She never had difficulty getting others to attend to her concerns. My way is to write jingles or what I call ditties. One man I know buys desktop calendar pads on different interests. He sends notes on the backs of "Far Side" cartoons, mini crossword puzzles, or golf tips. These are devices to get someone’s attention, and they work; but they are only attention-getters. It is still the message that counts. What if the medium itself could convey a message as important as what is written? Wouldn’t that be worth your time?

Remember the "letter"? How special it has become to receive a printed card and even more so to get a letter. Receiving a hand-made card is now a rarity in most of our lives. Each of the mediums described earlier can send the same content, but the very nature of the card or letter conveys the message that you care. You took the time and effort to buy or make, write, stamp, and send the message. It is written by your hand in your own handwriting.

You might argue about the quality of your penmanship, but believe me, upon receipt no one cares about that. You may have had to go to the store to get a card or buy stamps; you may have had to walk to all the way to the mailbox or drive to the post office. You wrote the message and maybe rewrote it. Each of these time consuming acts in our busy lives connotes care or concern and love for the recipient of the message. As Hallmark used to say, "You care enough to send the very best."

The real meaning of "the very best" is your time and effort in personalizing a message. You may not know calligraphy or be an infoet, but you can make someone’s day by just sending a message in what we now almost derisively refer to as hard copy. Is this important? I can tell for certain that it is. My daughter-in-law’s birthday just passed, and I didn’t send her a card. Try that writer’s guilt trip on for size.

The weekend is approaching; take the time to send someone a message that by the very act of doing so says, "I care about you." "I love you." Take the time to make someone’s day. You will be glad you did. You will love the result. You have the time. I know you are "busy," but you have the time; you really do.