EM ESS EN

I would guess that the high school experience these days is very often shaped by Facebook. Making plans, spreading gossip, complaining about homework, flirting, etc., etc. I'm so glad my high school experience did not involve Facebook in any way -- it was hard enough surviving the most self-conscious years of my life as it was, never mind what it would've been like trying to find a somewhat decent profile picture.

However, we didn't experience high school in the absence of technology, because there was a mode of communication that, for me at least, did shape my high school years.

MSN

I'm thinking about this because my Gmail chat just cut out for what seemed like 3 minutes, but was probably 1.5. When it happened, I was reminded of what my reaction was when this happened on MSN in grade 11. My anxiety would kick in, I would click click click... restart the computer... the sweat would start pouring... I would think about what the person I was chatting with might think... would they still be online? OMG OMG OMG!!!

Ahhhhh... sweet relief as the little green man spun around and then your friends were displayed once again.

How many serious conversations did you have on MSN? How many transcripts of conversations did you re-read? Did you ever print a conversation out?

I haven't used MSN in ages, but it really did define some pivotal parts of my adolescence.
Food for thought, I guess.

Hot or Notmail

After 5+ years (maybe even 9 years... can't remember), I'm ready to put an end to my Hotmail account. Barely anybody contacts me at that address, I GREATLY prefer my Gmail account, and I'm sick of having to log in to multiple email accounts.

However, Hotmail doesn't make it very easy. I figured I have 2 options:

1. Set up an auto-forward from the Hotmail to the Gmail.
2. Set up a vacation auto-reply thing saying that people should email me at Gmail.

Neither of these options are possible with Hotmail right now, or maybe ever. The vacation reply option has been disabled for some reason, and you can only forward to emails that end with @live, @hotmail, or @msn. Are you kidding?!?!

Hotmail, I know you suck, but can't you throw me a bone?