Sometimes I think people don’t realize how snappish online conversations can be. But writing is talking. Always worried about tone, I type with an unconscious “shift 1” tailing my sentences. Before I hit send, I have to delete half my exclamation points so as not to sound insane.And what's up anyway with people who are critical or cruel in a public online conversation? I mean, you wouldn’t just up and say to a person, I think you’re a liar or a sneak. You wouldn’t even say “I don’t like the way you do things." You’d couch it in kindness or adhere to the old adage and hold your tongue. Especially if you were saying something not so nice in front of a third party…or the entire virtual world.
There is nothing more socially devastating than public humiliation. Nathaniel Hawthorne knew that. And okay, maybe I’m taking this a little far—after all, this post stems from a bitty conversation on a cooking forum—but it got me thinking. Scarlet letters are so much more common now that every community has an online chatting space. It’s just that "A"s are not getting passed out for adultery anymore. Unless of course you’re a governor dabbling in prostitution.
Why Hester Prynne, I do believe you’re blushing.
Sutter Home Blush Challenge
The Rules: Submit your blush wine cocktail recipe. There is a limit of five (5) recipes per person, email address, or household. The main ingredient for the cocktail recipe must be a blush wine and must include at least two (2) ingredients.
Judging Criteria: The recipe will be judged based upon ease of preparation, creativity and taste.
The Prize: The Grand Prize Winner will receive a three (3) day, two (2) night trip for two to Las Vegas, Nevada. The trip consists of round-trip coach airfare for two adults from a major airport near winner’s residence to McCarran International Airport, Las Vegas, NV, fabulous hotel accommodations (double occupancy) at a major four star hotel in Las Vegas, NV, and five hundred dollars ($500) in American Express checks.
The Entry: Chopped fresh cherries, cherry spritzer and Sutter Home white zin
