Hip hip hurray for Joice!
“We make a toast to friends, we make a toast to the people we know, and to those we don’t know…”
Grandfather Kalle begin the song in his distinctive manner and everyone, from the smallest grandchild joins in with eyes aglow, which so effortlessly lends a feeling of coziness to this invaluable family time. This could be on granddad’s porch in Grebbestad on a summer evening in July when everyone has come from far away in order to meet and socialize together for a few fantastic summer days.
This evening in September the rain is falling on the west coast in the first autumn storm of the season. Granddad Kalle sits with his son Christian in Grebbestad, but the rest of the family is at home in their house south of Gothenburg.
The old saying that a picture says more than a thousand words is accurate in many circumstances and at this family party it certainly holds true. Thanks to a new broadband service, the family has connected a video conversation between the two living rooms in Gothenburg and Grebbestad. Everything is handled very easily through a simplified remote control with inbuilt conference telephone and an ordinary TV.
With the simple push of a button Granddad Kalle can see the entire family south of Gothenburg sitting around the coffee table with shrimp, white wine and pizza for the kids. Sure, we could have spoken on the phone but it would not have been the same thing as seeing Granddad start the song and being able to look everyone in the eye when making a toast!
The party continues and everyone thinks it's wonderful to be able to meet in this way, and in spite of the physical distance feel close to each other. When the teenagers started to play loud music Granddad Kalle just pushed the red button and was surrounded by the peace and quiet of Grebbestad again.
Isn’t today’s technology fantastic? Hip hip hurray!
Liselotte Arthur