We don’t got no computer
I made a gross error in judgment earlier this week. In my zeal to get as many photos of the Sherburne Pageant of Bands in on Monday as I could, I didn’t leave enough room for the list of scoring results. Instead, I put a refer to our website on the front page, and posted the complete results there, for free.
Oops. Not everyone has a computer, Jeff. I’d say I’m pretty plugged in, gadget-wise, so sometimes I forget that there are still homes in Chenango County with nary a computer, cell phone, PDA or iPod to be found.
And I think as of today, I’ve heard from all seven of them.
See, the way I figured it, if you’ve got a kid (or grandkid) in band, you already knew who won. I assumed that only the most ardent of marching band fans would want to see the extensive (I’m pretty sure every band got at least five awards, thanks for coming!) list of scores and awards, and that Evening Sun readers would be more entertained by the pictures. Trust me, I won’t make that mistake again. Next year, all the results, in print (and online, so there).
The last lady who called, and I can kvetch about her here because she obviously won’t be reading my blog, wouldn’t take my sincerest apology for an answer. She challenged my assumption that our readers needed to see pictures at all. “If they wanted to see the bands, they could have gone to the goddamn parade!” she wailed. When I countered with, “If you were so interested in the results, you could have stayed for the awards ceremony!” that really ticked her off. Even when I offered to read her the results over the phone, or print them out and mail them to her, free of charge, she wouldn’t have any of it. No, she wouldn’t be happy until I apologized on behalf of all 21st century humanity for relying on any sort of “modern” technology whatsoever.
Frankly, I’m surprised she had a phone. It bet it was rotary.
June 11th, 2009 at 12:15 am
Jeff,
ROFLMAO – I loved all the pictures! (but of course, I didn’t really care who won any of the awards – not being in a competing school and all.)
Keep up the good work!
Colleen
June 11th, 2009 at 7:48 am
I’m not sure if the best way to address the paper’s error in omitting the Pageant of bands’ results is by insinuating those without computers are stupid, which your title suggests. I know quite a few individuals who don’t have computers and/or internet service, including my parents. Speaking for my parents, I assume they get all their social networking done the old fashioned way; with a phone, get their news the old fashioned way; by having it delivered to them, and are just too damned old to have any need for porn. I seriously doubt they also have any need to download any music from the favorite artists, considering the Statler Brothers and Tennessee Ernie Ford haven’t released anything new in years.
I’m also betting more than 7 people don’t have these things. The 7 who called were the ones pissed off enough to call you about it.
(btw, it’s the people like my parents who are actually PAYING for your news, unlike people like me, who get it online. You might want to thank them for getting it the old fashioned way instead of insulting them)
June 11th, 2009 at 8:10 am
The title of the blog was a quote from the caller.
By no means did I mean to insult those without computers. I meant to insult the woman who berated and swore at me on the phone, even after I apologized and took full responsibility.
Trust me, I’ve learned my lesson. The complete results from the 2009 Sherburne Pageant of Bands will be printed in Friday’s edition.
June 11th, 2009 at 8:54 am
I know the people who called you weren’t from McDonough because they didn’t say “We ain’t got no computer”!!
June 11th, 2009 at 11:35 am
Did ya mention that her use of a double negative meant that she in fact HAD a computer? She probably wouldn’t have found the humor in that now that I think of it. (Thanks Mr. Fisher, for teaching me that)
June 11th, 2009 at 3:01 pm
Scott, you learned something from Mr. Fisher? Thanks Jeff for all you do at the ES everyday and your staff is great!! Keep up the amazing job you all do!