The Videophone at Last!

If you're like me (and god help you if you are), you've spent the last twenty or so years wondering where the heck your videophone is. I mean, honestly, the fact that there isn't a giant wall monitor with an easy ergonomic interface that will automatically connect with me with my far-flung family, still kind of ticks me off. The future is late.But at least we have video iChat (for Mac users) and video skype (for Mac and PC users). It'll do for now. Woofy and I discovered video iChat on his last business trip to London. I couldn't join him because of publishing stuff here in NY and we spent every morning and afternoon chatting with each other (for free) via video iChat. It's completely different from speaking on the phone. When you can see someone's face and interpret their expressions, gestures, pauses, etc., it makes the experience much more like an actual person-to-person conversation.But it can be a bit strange at first. For one thing, there's small image of yourself in the corner and it's incredibly difficult to NOT look at it. You probably think you won't look at it, because you're not vain and you don't really care what you look like. Trust me, you will. Everyone does. So in the beginning you end up having a conversation with someone whose eyes are constantly flicking from side to side as they check themselves out. Plus, you're always trying to present your best side and angle the monitor so that it flatters you. Very weird.But boy does it rock. First of all, it's free. Free! And second of all, it makes extended absences tolerable. Not great, mind you. But tolerable. And for this I'm grateful.But I still want that giant wall monitor. Plus teleportation. And a few other things too. I'll put together a wish list.