A dislike followed by a like

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I know that I have mentioned that I despise the winky face.  And it’s true – the winky face makes me barf.  End of story.  Forever.

But there is another thing that has been weighing on my mind, and that is the smiley emoticon.

:)

See?  Ugh.

Now, I use the smiley in email communication – but only in it’s purest form: the sideways simpleton.  To me, it brings to mind an ironic, closed-lipped side-smile, à la Jim Halpert.

: )

Even that isn’t an accurate representation, because I had to put a space in between the “eyes” and the “mouth” just to prevent WordPress from hijacking my style and creating a monster.

Because if there is one thing that really irks me, it is when my simple, sideways symbol is – unbeknownst to me – translated into a big-toothed, yellow-faced, sphere-headed, body-less imbecile.  It makes me look like a moron.

– – – – – – – –

In other news, in response to an unexpected surge of administrative prowess, my friend PZC recently called himself “an organizational Jason Bourne (kicking ass but unsure where it came from and still not sure where I’m headed).”

I thought that was delightful.

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9 Comments

  1. Katherine M on September 18, 2009 at 5:43 PM

    I completely share your abhorrence of the changing the sideways smiley into something altogether disturbing.

    Also, PZC’s self description is just fantastic.

    Annie, have a lovely weekend, and peaceful dreams.

  2. Laura on September 18, 2009 at 9:04 PM

    Uh-oh, I’m sure that I’ve made you barf many times! I have an unhealthy addiction to the emoticon.

  3. hootenannie on September 19, 2009 at 2:11 AM

    Laura, you could never make me barf. Although I learned via your FB status today that you’ve been ACTUALLY been barfing lately because of your pregnancy – ick. I’m starting prayers right now that the good Lord will prevent me from morning sickness, should I ever find myself in your shoes!

  4. PZC on September 19, 2009 at 4:33 PM

    You should see my planner. Someone recently referred to it as “a vision”.

  5. Sarah on September 20, 2009 at 9:23 PM

    I am both confused and amused.

  6. Krysta on September 20, 2009 at 11:52 PM

    Did you know that you can change your wordpress settings so that emoticons are not changed into the annoying yellow face…

    …I share your same dislike for the :)

    but I do love the regular : ) (minus the space)

  7. Tad on September 21, 2009 at 2:19 PM

    I can’t tell you how entertained I am by your observation of the sideways-smile, and how much I agree!: ) the space does make it less awesome.

  8. annie on September 21, 2009 at 4:08 PM

    I am cracking up!

  9. Sarah Kate on September 21, 2009 at 8:53 PM

    I will have to admit that although I was very “anti-smiley” (in ALL forms, typed and morphed) I use it now. It’s become a necessity in the age of typed communication with a dry sense of humor. I don’t want the church people to think I’m totally harsh and bitter. :).

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