Dear LPG,

I think that some aspects of human nature can be strange and I learned one of the oddest recently, if I didn’t learn it before.  It has become apparent since we have all been told to stay at home.  It seems that if we are told that we cannot do something, that is the only thing that gets stuck on our minds and, as a proud and hands-on grandmother, I miss being able to actually touch and hug my grandchildren most of all.

Until the beginning of this pandemic, I had got used to traveling to see them so that I can look after them while their mum and dad are at work and, while the thought of the weekly train journey often left me feeling the way that I used to when I faced the prospect of preparing for work on a Monday morning after a restful weekend, I really miss my time with them. 

I do have a tablet and I have been able to see them nearly every day during this pandemic with the help of that, but I love taking pictures of them because looking back through those snaps shows just how quickly they grow up.   I have to admit that is one aspect of not being able to see them that I really miss.  It has to be said that while they are really little they do the funniest things and it is so easy to capture those moments with my mobile phone.

But, though I am sure many people already know, I recently learned a little trick.  Most apps that allow you to see as well as hear who you are talking to (FaceTime, Skype, WhatsApp etc.), will also have a way that you can take a picture of who you are talking to and, failing that, you can take what is known as a picture of anything you can see on your tablet or mobile phone screen.  All you need to do is know how. 

I know what to do with my android smart phone and if you know exactly what make and model phone you have there are usually instructions on the internet.  It is a bit fiddly but once you have learned the knack it is well worth it, and I bet, like me, you will find other screens worth taking a shot of.  If I see something that I don’t understand it really helps to take a screenshot that I can show someone who knows later. 

There is one word of warning though…

If you can take a screenshot, you can be taken just as easily so for those of us with a bit of a vain streak, be mindful that if you are using any app which allows you to see and be seen while you talk you will need to bear this in mind.   Not to put to dramatic a point on it, you will need to make sure you are absolutely ‘ready for your close up’ even if you are not talking to Mr DeMille. Did you ever see that classic 1950’s movie, Sunset Boulevard?

BJ. Lewisham

BJ shares a little information to help readers learn the art of taking screenshots…

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… and if you did not see Sunset Boulevard LPG found the film clip in question…

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