Library Conversations

I know I mentioned this before, but I am here at the library and, once again, there are some pretty interesting conversations taking place on cell phones where all can hear them...at least the one side of the conversation. Right now, there is a guy who appears to be telling someone some of the reasons they can use to explain away fees they are charging someone. He's telling this person they can say it's for their overheard, extra costs they may face, and things similar to that. I am guessing he is involved in some multi-level marketing scheme and someone in the other person's downline in complaining about mysterious fees that are taken out of what they should be earning. Definitely the kind of information best shared in a non-public location. I am pretty sure this is the same guy who was talking about payroll the last time I wrote about this happening. Now he is talking to someone (I am guess his immediate superior) and sharing the conversation with that person.

Earlier, there was an older woman who is apparently getting ready to sell for Usana. She was setting up a meeting with whoever she will be selling under and she was explaining that her husband was still "not on board" but that she was sure he would be once she was able to get going and she could show him how successful she could become. She kept talking about how she had always admired Usana and how they have the only program she thinks will work, and she has looked at a lot of programs.

Some people may say that I should not be sharing these things here, but these are conversations taking place in a very public setting. Any assumption of privacy on their part is null and void because of the location. The point I am making is that they carry on these conversations as if they were at home. It may be they come to the library because they cannot speak freely at home. If that is the case, it seems to me that they have some serious honest issues. Admittedly, these are all assumptions on my part because I can hear only one side of the conversation and I do not know these people. I am not trying to eavesdrop, either. Both of these individuals were at least 50 feet away, giving you some idea of how loudly they were speaking.

Personally, I think cell phone use in the library should be prohibited. It is distracting to other patrons and it really has no place. If you have to be on the phone, reserve a study room and conduct your business there. Please do not share with the rest of us just how little you understand the meaning of such words as privacy, confidentiality, and personal information. The rest of us do not want to hear it, but I will stop ranting now.

Fun With Facebook

This is a petroglyph from Arches National Park. It is one of my favourites in the area. I may post more petroglyph photos on my Flickr page. There are many in the Moab area if you know where to look.

This last week I did something I did not think I would ever do; I got on Facebook. I have never been much for the social networking site thing and I did it mainly to try to get more exposure for my photography. I never anticipated the number of people who would list me as a friend. Most of these people are classmates from high school who I have not spoken to in more than 26 years. Some of them I had completely forgotten, sadly. Others were more acquaintances than friends, really, but it has been quite interesting to see what they look like now and what they are doing.

The best thing to come of this recent experience is I have managed to get in touch with one of the best friends I have ever had. We lost touch after he graduated and while I was going through my divorce. It was amazing to actually talk with him on the phone the other day. The years seemed to disappear and it was like were talking back in college. I sincerely hope we are able to stay in touch this time. I know I will do my best to make certain we do.

Another interesting thing about Facebook is the fact that this site could become a life stealer of epic proportions. Just from those who I have added as friends and who post regularly, I find that if I do not check back once a day, I have so much new information to go through that it takes up quite a bit of my time. Since I have nothing but time on my hands at the moment, it is not a problem. Once I get another job, it will definitely take a back seat. The sad thing is it has not done anything to help my photographic asperations yet as far as I can tell.