Email, it's on the way out

My parents just got new flip phones. My mom had her old phone for at least two years, but never set up the voicemail. "Why would I want to have to listen to messages?" she asked. "Then I would just have to call people back." Even though she has her phone with her, don't bother trying to reach her - the phone's going to be turned off. She only turns on her phone when she wants to make a call.

I was trying to help them get their phones set up the other night. I was telling them about some of the helpful features - voice recognition calling, speed dial, etc. They didn't want anything to do with it. I mentioned that they could even check their email on their phones.

"Email," my dad chimes in, "what a waste of time. I don't understand why people make such a big deal about email." I am sure that my dad has email at his work and I say, "What's your email address?"

"Why?"

"Maybe I'll want to email you something sometime."

"Nope. I don't do email. I won't look at it."

"What's your email address?"

"Don."

"Don @ what?"

"Just 'Don?'"

"Yep, send it to 'Don' and I'll get it."

My dad's pretty sure that email is just a crazy fad - much like my sideburns, which he is always telling me to get rid of - and it'll be going away any day now. I just want to give you all the heads-up. Write all the emails you can while you have the chance, it'll be soon going the way of the 8-track. If you have any questions feel free to email my dad at: "Don." Don't worry, it'll get to him.