Yesterday my little sister (who is 18) was asking me for some good away messages. I started thinking back to the days when I was in college and away messages were a huge part of your social identity. The early part of the decade was the heyday of the away message.
The New York Times did an article in 2003 about the significance of the away message, particularly among college students.
One source the article goes back to again and again is a student named Steve. This Steve character is known for his clever and original away messages. For instance:
"Having my own place is essential to my happiness. You cannot say, 'So, wanna go back to my mom's house and make out?' It simply doesn't work.'' Good one, Steve.
Or one day, when it was snowing: "Would the woolly mammoth please step away from my window?'' Yet another good one, Steve.
If you would like to slowly but surely develop more hatred for Steve, feel free to read the NY Times article.
Anyway, if you have any ideas for funny away messages for my sister, who is about to start college, please post them in the comments section. I'm sure as usual the only comment I'll get will be from the "super lotto" spam thing, but I might as well try.