Wired, but losing the connection

By Carly Hawkins - Columnist

The modern world, I don't think anyone would dispute, is more connected than it has ever been. Or, should I say, we are more plugged in – everyone has a cell phone, wireless internet, a Blackberry. Instant information, constant contact.

So it's ironic to me that, in an age where you can get anyone on a phone at any time, we actually seem to be losing the art of human interaction.

Believe me when I say that I am as guilty of this myself as anyone else – before I resort to a phone call, even, I send a text message or an IM or an e-mail. It's easy and convenient, right? Aside from the extra charges on my cell phone bill for going over my allotted text message limit, it allows whoever I'm trying to get a hold of to respond in their own time frame. If they're in a meeting, it's not as disruptive as a phone call might be, if they're busy with something else they can file it away to respond to later.

But the convenience factor is, I think, robbing us of part of the human experience – while communication through words on a page or screen is a powerful and unique tool, verbal communication is suffering as a result.

How many times have you lamented the inability to adequately display feelings through e-mail? How many times have you wished that there was some better way to relay sarcasm, teasing, or another emotion through words? How many times have you had to wonder about the tone of someone else's e-mail? How many times have you misinterpreted?

All of these things are moot points when it comes to actually TALKING to someone – it's easy to tell whether they're kidding with you about, say, signing up for the military when you can hear their tone of voice. Emoticons and the other new conventions that have sprung up as a result of the internet just don't cut it.

I think we're at a point, though, where it would seem that we all have some kind of collective social anxiety. We hedge our bets by going with the e-mail rather than the phone call that could result in a tongue lashing. And that's understandable, but now it's become so habitual that we're missing out on an entire segment of what it means to be alive.

Solution: Dylan Thomas style, rage, rage against the dying of the light. Make a concerted effort to actually talk to people when you can – sometimes e-mail and text messages and whatever are more appropriate, but sometimes a phone call instead of that 160 character text message will work, and it will work better. Make sure you talk to people, actually TALK to them, not through a software interface, but face-to-face or by phone. The people in your life who you love are worth more than hearing from you solely by e-mail. I've been trying this just over the past couple of days, and it's doing more for me than just lowering the extraneous charges on my cell phone bill.

We are living in a world that seems to be dominated by fear. This is no time to be going it alone, to only associate via writing. Now's the time to overcome the craziness by using all this wonderful technology to stay truly connected.

In fact, schedule it in your Palm Pilot.

How to Have Fun Without Alcohol

By Courtney Bailey - Graduate Assistant

When was the last time you spent an evening having a great time without consuming alcohol? Think hard. Those of you who can easily remember that evening are to be commended. There are many benefits to having fun without alcohol. For one thing, you can easily recall the events of the evening and actually make memories of the good times. You don't find yourself the next day with that sickening feeling in your stomach, a horrendous headache and regrets of the previous night's events. Although many people may not believe it, you can actually have fun without alcohol.

Here is a list of ten fun things to do without drinking alcohol:

•  Go to a movie.

•  Play a board game.

•  Play a game in the quad (football, soccer, ultimate frisbee).

•  Join a club.

•  Have an ‘80s movie marathon with your friends.

•  Dance.

•  Go to a UIS athletic event.

•  Volunteer to be a designated driver for the evening—go to the party, just don't drink.

•  Explore the lesser-known parts of Springfield .

•  Make a mocktail.

Here are some great mocktail recipes. A mocktail is a cocktail without alcohol.

Mild Margarita

2 cups bitter lemon or lime soda

2 Tblspns. Sugar

Juice of ½ lime

Salt

Crushed ice

Pour soda into ice cube tray or shallow pan, freeze. Place frozen soda in blender container, add lime juice and sugar. Blend until well-mixed. Rub lime around rim of glass and dip into salt. Pour mixture over crushed ice in salted glasses.

Sparkling Fruit Slush

2 pints unsweetened pineapple juice

2 6 oz. cans frozen pink lemonade

1 cup water

Juice of 1 lemon or lime

Mix ingredients and freeze overnight. Remove from freezer just before serving. Stir well. Store in freezer.

For more great mocktail recipies visit the Counseling Center in SAB 30 or the Alcohol Awareness Month Display table located in the PAC, April 25-29. April is Alcohol Awareness Month! Show your support by stopping by the table and spreading the word!

If you do decide to go to a party, but don't want to drink, here are some easy and polite ways to turn down a drink.

•  No, thanks.

•  I'm driving tonight.

•  I'm OK for now.

•  Not now, maybe later.

•  I'm not really in the mood to drink.

If you missed the Counseling Center 's Alcohol Screenings on April 7, you can come to SAB 30 anytime to set up a screening or an appointment with our new Alcohol and Other Drug Coordinator, Valerie Scarbrough.

Wired, but losing the connection

How to Have Fun Without Alcohol