Originally posted by Well-Being EX on November 19, 2020 at 5:14pm
Actually Virtual or is it Virtually Actual? No problems here. Stating for
the record, this is what I am trying to figure out, actually. Perhaps an
ideal way to begin here was by using virtual means, my tablet. Daunting
task that this was, I challenged myself which made me more confident in
my overall abilities to write. Despite what was going on around us, I also
agreed to grab the virtual bull by the horn and take on this quest by telling
an actual accurate article. Say that five times fast.
With COVID19 still running around without a glimpse of an end in sight,
there are many people that remain out of work. For me, I am a New York
State Certified Peer Specialist. Currently, I am on disability and sort of
looking for part-time Peer Specialist positions. Also, while searching
for employment, I noticed that openings were posted with the future
interviews being held in both actual and virtual formats. So, it is up to
Sherlock Holmes, (me of course), to solve this mystery.
Virtual means almost or nearly as described. However, not completely
or according to a strict definition. It is merely feasible or imagined. Not
anything to be afraid of, but it will take practice to use the media gizmos
that are used. For me as well. Sometimes, virtual is fabricated or made up
in someone’s imagination in an effort to embellish a story. Recently, in
this 21st Century, virtual is used by computer techs and many average
individuals to simulate an item(s) or person(s) that are not there. Wave,
everyone. All of us, including Peer Specialists, like myself, live in a world of
many modern conveniences, like virtual meetings where we don’t leave the
house to attend.
An example is a series of virtual events that has been happening in 2020
until November 3rd. Yes, I am talking about Election Day. What occurs
virtually, is that most pollsters go around the country gathering a lot of
their information on a variety of different issues. Then, it is interpreted
and reported virtually what was found and finally they make assumptions
why and which candidate people voted for. Now this is how the process
starts. Predictions reign supreme here.
Let us discuss the word actual. It is shown as a concept or idea that
exists entirely in fact. This is done quite typically by what was intended
to be as a contrast with that was possibly expected or even thought of
or believed. Always actual is known to be correct or precise. Also, actual
happens now and in current terms. Going back to the elections, November
3rd is Election Day (actual fact). Each vote is painstakingly counted
(actual fact) and the exercise continues.
However, in the 2000 Presidential Election between Al Gore and
George Bush, there were allegiance discrepancies in the ways actual votes
were counted. It felt like to me as if some people caste their ballots in a
virtual device, playing with the flippers quite similarly to a pinball machine or
tapped keys on a computer. Perhaps, it was regarding a variety of queries
incorrectly or these votes were not totaled. Eventually, most or all of the
tabulations were both finalized and revealed. George Bush was determined
o win and a few months later he was inaugurated as the President of the
United States. The rest, shall we say, is History. Go ahead, everyone fact
check this actually.
Virtual meetings are real-time interactions that take place over the Internet
combining audio and video, chat tools and application sharing. They offer a
way to engage people in fully interactive, online learning experiences such as,
lectures, discussions and tutoring. Also, during a virtual meeting, it becomes
significantly harder to discern people’s facial expression and feelings about
the topic being mentioned.
As a Peer Specialist, I have gone to many meetings, both actual and virtual
ones. Personally, I have no preference. There are advantages for each way.
Virtual meetings gives me the space where I am to do other things or even
leave with minimal distractions. Often times, meetings are held and seen
in different cities or states and people do not have to travel. Since COVID19,
more virtual conferences are common place and can be seen and heard
anywhere plus anytime.
At many actual seminars, one can share thoughts and opinions to a live
person besides them. Commonalities are seen on the spot and as written
earlier, facial expressions and gestures are noticed more easily. When we
are in front of someone, expounding of thoughts and ideas occur, which
leads to a more effective dialog. In addition, these actual statements can
occasionally turn into long term professional relationships.
In the paragraphs above, we might have learned about the differences
between actual and virtual. Before this article concludes, I will try to give
two additional examples. Hopefully, effectively too. Election Day was
actually this week in the United States, so it is was our constitutional right
as citizens to vote. This year we can vote virtually with absentee ballots or
go to a polling place on that day and do our duty and put in an actual vote.
Also, I am talking about my significant other, Maureen, who actually died
on June 12, 2015. When I think about her here or somewhere else, it can
only be virtual, but my feelings are actual. Of course, these feelings are
most definitely and actually true! Sweetie, I love you, I miss you and I still
wish you were here. See you in the News Blogs.
🥊
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Howard Diamond lives in Long Island, New York. Howard is a New York State Certified Peer Specialist. He enjoys writing and contributes written pieces regularly to the Well-Being EXchange.