I was at a client meeting in London when the call came through. It was my wife Sarah.
"Phil, I'm on my way to work and I think I've done something stupid."
Fearing that she had been involved in a car accident or similar occurrence, I quickly asked if everything was OK.
"I think I've put my Kindle in the washing machine" came the nervous reply. "I won't know until later, but I'm pretty sure I have. What should I do?"
"What makes you think that it might be in the washing machine?" I enquired out of curiosity.
"The thudding sound it makes every time it goes round - and I can't find the Kindle".
I never imagined that I would ever Google 'What to do after putting Kindle in a washing machine', and sadly the best that the search giant could serve up was special offers on washing machines on Amazon. So I took to Social Media to see what my friends and followers could suggest.
Whilst the potential for hilarity across my network was evident, this was also one of those moments when I was mindful of the impression it could create and the potential for embarrassment of my wife. Perhaps this was one household mishap that should stay at home.
But our Facebook network is predominantly friends (i.e. people my wife and I have actually met and like) and so I figured that she would be OK about it (though I checked to make sure!)
The resulting online conversation and messages lasted throughout the rest of the day, with a mixture of amusement and 'helpful' tips as to what to do - many involving putting the sodden gadget in a bowl of rice or silica gel in a warm cupboard and not being tempted to turn it on.
Several people reassured me that they had dropped their iPod into a bath and their Nano into a horse's water bucket and that the 'rice in a cupboard' solution had worked successfully for them. But none had enjoyed the misfortune of accidentally putting their Kindle in the washing machine.
Several friends tried their best to be knowledgeable and helpful, and asked what cycle the device had endured. Was it a 30 degrees wash? Was it mixed fabrics? Had she included fabric conditioner? Spin speed... and so on. Either way, our Bosch Exxcel had done a most thorough job. The Kindle was clean, but was now an ex e-reader.
Even the least qualified electrical engineer could see that the device had indeed gone to meet its maker. The front was cracked in several places, though a feint image could still be seen under the screen like the ghost of a character in one of the novels. More worryingly, parts of the back and side had melted - goodness knows what the Bosch Exxcel is doing to our clothes, let alone our household gadgets.
And highly predictably, many comments assured me that 'there won't be any more dirty books on it'.
Then the Facebook comments took a different direction, with suggestions that in future I should be completely responsible for all washing activities in our house - and that perhaps "a kind and loving husband would return from London with a brand new, latest model Kindle...".
Mrs Calvert was indeed 're-Kindled' later in the day; it was the least that I could do after having plastered her misfortune all over Facebook. (I was even offered Accidental Damage Cover by the store salesman "...in case I did anything stupid with it".)
All in all the event made for an entertaining posting and great viewing right into the evening, with a wealth of friends joining in the fun.
A question that came up later was 'how exactly did this happen?', and in Sarah's own words:
"I stupidly carried it downstairs this morning underneath a huge pile of washing, and went to put it straight into the machine. I couldn't feel the Kindle and must have totally forgotten I was carrying it! What a plonker!! I feel like I've drowned a kitten or something!"
And before long, our friends and followers were posting suggestions as to what we could now do with the ex Kindle. We would love to hear your own suggestions please...
And what of Social Media's part in our saga?
At a time when Social Media is often blamed for starting riots, for giving fuel to bullies, for giving a mouthpiece to racists, for encouraging foul language or airing bad temper and grievances between people, it was hugely enjoyable to see it being used in a fun, refreshing and entertaining way, and one which produced endless laughs between friends.
My wife found it all greatly amusing and even connected with a few friends she had not seen in a while who had heard about her little accident.
Social Media is an important and powerful thing. When people are drawn together in a spirit of fun and mutual engagement, community thrives and often brings light, laughter and a feeling of togetherness.
How do you use Social Media? Do you bring life and laughter to your community of friends and followers; do you share stories that bring people together?
Or do you use it to sell, sell, sell?
Philip Calvert
Professional Speaker on Social Media
http://philipcalvert.brandyourself.com/