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Wait... Let Me Send Up A Smoke Signal

By Melinda (Mel) Peterson

Real Estate Broker/Owner with Grants Pass, OR 199909023

March 13, 2013 06:52 AM

Wait... Let Me Send Up A Smoke Signal. Look how far we've come... no more Pony Express, no more Morris Code... no more pigeons taking flight or messages in a bottle. And yet... the Vatican still communicates it's most important message by smoke signal.

I had to smile out loud this morning... does anyone else find this amusing? This isn't a religious slam of any kind... it's just tickles my fancy. Today, the average human being owns a cell phone and communicates by the speed of light, and yet we still complain about delays in access and response time. Meanwhile, the whole world waits for a smoke signal to tell us who the next Pope will be.

There's something refreshing and mysterious about it... and yet it fills my silly head with curious wonder. Will the new Pope be a 21st Century guru willing to adapt to changing times and technologies? Certainly, we've seen Presidential campaigns jump on the communication super highway.

Imagine if you had to wait for a smoke signal to know if your offer had been accepted, or your deal had closed escrow, or your check was in the mail. We might become cannibals and eat each other alive in wicked anticipation while we wait. And yet... a simple smoke signal is all we need to tell us the fate of the Church. I've seen clouds from both sides now ;-)

Wait... Let Me Send Up A Smoke Signal ~ Mel Peterson

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Fernando Herboso - Associate Broker MD, & VA

Maxus Realty Group of Samson Properties - Clarksburg, MD

301-246-0001 Serving Maryland, DC and Northern VA

I guess smoke. .was the Twitter of the day 500 years ago!

Mar 13, 2013 06:55 AM

Ron and Alexandra Seigel

Napa Consultants - Carpinteria, CA

Luxury Real Estate Branding, Marketing & Strategy

Mel,

I understant your cracking up on this issue...Probably the smoke process has been modernized to not pollute or something else. However, Ron and I saw first hand the white smoke go up on a trip to Rome. There was something very magical about it, and the crowd's expression of delight. It may seem anachronistic in our day and age of instant communication, but there is a charm in the process. Incidentally, WSJ reported that the vote was pretty much decided not long after the pope announced his resignation. A

Mar 13, 2013 06:57 AM

Melinda (Mel) Peterson

Grants Pass, OR - Bend, OR

The Savvy Broker - ABR, CRS

And it still is... Fernando! Amazing indeed!

Mysterious and magical all in one... Alexandra. I can only imagine the excitement of the crowd eagerly awaiting the news of the day... and the hope and inspiration that the smoke signal provides. Charming indeed ;-)

Mar 13, 2013 07:05 AM

Sharon Lee

Sharon Lee's Virtual Assistance - Jonesborough, TN

Retired and loving life

Mel-All kinds of communication in this day and age. Love the excitement and fun in this post.

Mar 13, 2013 07:16 AM

Carie Shapiro

North Shore Suburbs & Chicago Real Estate - Evanston, IL

Even though I don't know the history behind the white and black smoke, there's something very special about maintaining traditions.

For example, to this day, after my beloved Chicago Cubs finish a game at Wrigley Field, a "W" (win) or "L" (loss) flag is still raised -- a tradition started in the 30s. Back then, by raising the appropriate flag, area residents and fans could look up from the street or from the nearby train to see if the Cubs won or lost the game. Nowadays, even though you can find out the final score with lightening internet or app speed, I think it's still a nice touch.

I just love traditions :)

Mar 13, 2013 07:35 AM

David Popoff

DMK Real Estate - Darien, CT

Realtor®,SRS, Green ~ Fairfield County, Ct

Sometimes the old ways make common sense, I like it.

Mar 13, 2013 07:46 AM

Agreed... various forms of communication keep things fun and interesting... Sharon!

That sounds like a fun tradition... Carie... especially for Cubs fans everywhere!

I hear ya... David. It's a wonder that the Church can command the attention of the world by way of a smoke stack ;-)

I find it amusing... and I don't mean any disrespect either... Jean! My comparison to the business world is simply a metaphor... what if we find ourselves waiting for a smoke signal to know whether our deal has been accepted... God forbid... on a windy day ;-)

You've ignited my creative imagination in motion... Scott. A Chem-trail to Heaven... would make for an interesting novel or screenplay ;-) I wonder what God thinks of smoke signals ;-)

Mar 13, 2013 09:55 AM

Jim Patton

Aspire Home Real Estate 209-404-0816 - Modesto, CA

Realtor - Stanislaus ,Merced, San Joaquin Counties

I guess since it has worked for a few hundred years they are going to keep doing it that way. I was thinking earlier today that if they were in California there would be no way for them to get away with letting that much smoke into the air.

Mar 13, 2013 10:56 AM

Florida Tolbert Team Keller Williams Advantage

Keller Williams Advantage III Realty in Lake Nona - Orlando, FL

Keller Williams Land Luxury Division Specialist

Actually mel, that is kind of ironic when you think that all you get from some agents and banks is SMOKE and mirrors.

Mar 13, 2013 12:20 PM

As long as it's not a super windy day... Jim ;-)

Ahhh... Smoke & Mirrors, yes, I've encountered a few on the trail... Kevin ;-)

Mar 14, 2013 04:19 AM

Gayle Rich-Boxman Fishhawk Lake Real Estate

John L Scott Market Center - Birkenfeld, OR

"Your Local Expert!" 503-739-3843

Yes, yes, YES....I too find it to be somewhat funny...and how did they originally choose the color of the smoke to represent the yes or not-decided? And I even took it further, what if (God forbid) you got the wrong mix and sent up the wrong type of SMOKE?? Would you be excommunicated??!!

So, yes, darlin', you're not alone in your bemusement...I thought of all these things while listening to NPR before they had made the Big Decision.

Mar 14, 2013 09:13 AM

Patricia Feager

Referral Specialist - DFW FINE PROPERTIES - Flower Mound, TX

Licensed to April 2027

It's tradition! I'm glad it didn't take forever to see the white smoke.

Hope you're having a great day!

Mar 15, 2013 12:22 AM

Wait... Let Me Send Up A Smoke Signal

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Melinda (Mel) Peterson

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