Thursday 12 April 2007

my space

Quickly today, since my copy-edited manuscript is due back at the publisher's yesterday. My teenaged daughter has set me up with a My Space account and profile -- Old Man Seeking Something -- saying, Dad! (she's enthusiastic) you have to get on My Space! It'll boost your image profile. Really? I asked. Oh, yes! Away she typed (she's much faster than I), and in thirty seconds I was up and walking.

The profile reads like a yearbook questionnaire: TV shows and Heroes and Pet Peeves. I filled in obediently, thinking all the time: who is going to read this? Do people troll through My Space reading other people's profiles? (Trust me, Dad! said my daughter.) And if anyone does stumble on me, are they going to be able to reach into their wallet, pull out a credit card and buy a book?

Heroes made me think. I admire lots of people. Single parents working two jobs and making sure there are soccer cleats and school trip fares, volunteers coming in early with a smile, kids living through hell at home without turning into a bad guys themselves ... I've got more time for any of them than for Bono, say. I suppose I could have listed my fictional heroes: Sergeant Bilko, Daffy Duck, Little Black Sambo. Or my kids (Oh, Dad, that is so lame!) Or the people who buy my books -- now there's real self-sacrifice! (You poor brave souls. God bless you all.)

But get this: I already have a friend! My Space provides me with one. Isn't that great? His name is Tom, and he seems to have quite a nice smile. I can hardly wait to set up a play date.

6 comments:

Anonymous said...

What is "My Space"? What does it mean to have an account in that space? For us older readers of your blog would you please do an entry explaining youth culture references that we don't know. Or, like Samuel Beckett, when asked for an explanation of "Waiting for Godot," would you tell us to buy our own aspirin?

Bernard said...

Where are you on Myspace? I cannae find yer profile.

Richard Scrimger said...

Geez, mate, I don't know. If you go on the site and type my name in the profile section, I pop up. I have two friends now -- though I have my doubts about Kanya. I think she has her own agenda.

Bernard said...

Well, "Old Man Seeking Something" may have a connotation that would attract people like her.

Anonymous said...

Salerio, did you ever find Richard on Myspace? If so, how did ou do it?
Rosalie

Richard Scrimger said...

hey, rosalie, if you do get on myspace, let me know if you can find tom and helena. I worry.
RS