“Is your camera on? Can you see me?”
“I think so. No, the camera thingy has a line through it.”
“Can you click that?”
“I keep clicking on it but nothing happens.”
“Maybe, we can use What’s Ap.”
“I only use What’s Ap with you. Doesn’t it just text?”
“No, it has a video link.”
“Okay, let me see if that works?”
“Wait. I’m loading the Skype app. Maybe, we can see each other on that.”
“Okay.”
“It wants my user ID. I have no idea what that is.”
“Do you have FaceTime?”
“I only do that with my daughter.”
“Wait. I’m looking at my What’s Ap. I think I can do that.”
“Do that.”
“Okay, call me on What’s Ap. Oh, you’re calling my phone now... I’ll answer.”
Quiet for a minute. “You know I would be freaked out if I wasn’t doing this with you.”
“Wait. Skype costs money to video chat now?”*
A voice from another room. “Yes, it costs. But, Zoom doesn’t. Microsoft owns Skype now.”
“What? It used to be free.”
“I still can’t see you.”
“Why is this so complicated?”
Eventually, the talkers settle for a voice call with thoughts of the video chat put off for another time. Still, they are working to connect on video. Forty-five minutes later, success on Skype.
Welcome to social distancing 2020.
L’Chaim.
Joceile
3.23.2020
*Skype doesn’t cost for video chat if you have a Skype account and are not using their phone number.
[Picture of me on FaceTime app.]
