Working alongside people in their 20s and 30s can be an inspiration, a motivation and an education. My fellow Library LoveFesters, Kayleigh George and Annie Mazes are smart, hip, and fun. They also talk in tongues. Okay, not exactly – but they do speak a language that is often peppered with words and phrases I’ve never heard of. Our conversations often come to a halt so they can explain their shorthand. “OMG she is so TWEE.” Translation: Oh my God, she is so irritating – but in a really sweet, saccharine way.
They also clue me in to the current dos and don’ts of email etiquette. Who knew it is a huge offense to write “u r gr8”? Apparently if you’re single and looking for that special someone, using that kind of shorthand will keep you home Saturday nights. (Thankfully I’m hitched but if I weren’t, I’d be single forever without the advice and enlightenment of my younger colleagues!) But this got me thinking I should share this info just in case u r still back in the dark ages. (Oops I did it again.)
So, if you’re closer to 50 than to 20 or 30, you might benefit (or at least get a laugh) from this newly added section to LibraryLoveFest called VIRGINIA’S TWITS. A few times a week I’ll tweet a word or phrase uttered by my younger cohorts that make me stare blankly and say, “Wait – WHAT?” (don’t worry – I’ll give you the definition, too, so you can feel hip like me!) Sometimes I’ll throw in one of their ‘rules of thumb’ (literally) about texting or just some random bit of hipster advice that strikes me as something worth sharing. For instance, I’m probably in the minority here but I did not know that wearing blue jeans with a jean jacket is a MAJOR no-no. (Sorry about that cap lock. Habit.) That fashion faux pas will practically get you tossed out of the country. Who knew? I didn’t but now I do and have never worn the two together since.
If you discover you’re out of the loop like me, I hope you find these tidbits helpful in bridging the generation gap. If you’re already hip, I salute u. I mean ‘you’.
– Virginia
Remember that Charlie Sheen gem? Anywho…ladies and gents, I can't thank you enough for participating in our Summer Fundays Giveaway. It has been fun for me, so I hope you enjoyed it. Most of the galleys I gave away are also available on Edelweiss, so be sure to check them out if you have an e-reader. The final winner was Gail Rae from Southern Huntingdon Area Library. Congratulations, Gail!
