I use my computer a lot. I also read on Kindle, play with my IPad and of course, text and take great pictures on my IPhone. My son admonishes "you have entirely too much technology mother!" He's probably right but my magical machines keep me company, delight and annoy me in equal measure and keep me current. That in itself is worth all of it.
My first computer was a Commodore 64. It was a lot of fun and helped me enormously in my work. I also watched the little man who lived in my computer. I had to feed him and make sure he thrived. I had another little guy who lived in an island after being shipwrecked. He had parties with girls who passed by on luxury yachts but he never left his island. He was a happy little chap. Such innovative programs. I enjoyed them all.
I remember DOS, I remember the first time I used Windows and took mental note of every bit of progress I made and was happening in my relationship to my PC. It helped me produce mountains of handouts for my students and keep tabs on who was signing up for my classes. I remember when my daughter Natalia introduced me to the internet! It was in Tokyo and she had just gone to school in Montreal. When she told me that we could be more connected if I learned how to use this new bit of magic. I was game, bring it on! My brain froze somewhat cause I was sure I wasn't going to understand what she was about to teach me. It took 3 minutes and I was a convert. I could send emails and read way into the night as long as my eyes weren't exhausted and ready for bed. I re-connected with so many friends, I read so much fun stuff, I felt closer to my daughter. I had a virtual umbilical attachment to her and her siblings when it was their time to leave home for school.
I embraced each and every little step along the way. Changed from PC to Mac, bought one of the first IPhones and carried my Ipod everywhere. All of it wonderful, new and exciting. I worked and played with my gadgets and looked forward to more, but recently I realized that while absolutely wonderful, they were starting to replace other things that I also enjoyed.
I like to go to the mail box and find a handwritten or typed card or letter from a friend. I like paper invitations and real birthday cards. I enjoy friends calling to say hello. Texts are beginning to irritate me. They feel like an afterthought! They are replacing the mindfulness of knowing when one of my friends might need to hear my voice or I theirs. When a good hearty laugh over the phone with no visuals (Skype later) connects hearts and experiences. Not to mention face to face encounters. Love those. I certainly prefer to chat in person or by phone than by "chat room." I want my grandchildren to know that writing a "thank you" or "I love you" card, putting a stamp on it and sending it to a friend (or to their grandma) is still thrilling and that it will be treasured in a drawer or a box for a long time to come. I want my children not to forget to teach them that.
While shopping for certain things online is convenient and usually cheaper, I still like the thrill of the hunt in the shops in my town and feel that its much more fun to go say, to the real GAP than to peruse their pages online. I like to touch, smell, see the real color and even try it on and figure out if I really like the style on me! Then I like to stop for a coffee and watch the world go by.
I like to hold babies and pet real animals and while the funny videos of pets online are often touching and hilarious, they're even funnier in person. I'm funnier in person too. In person you can see my wrinkles and my crazy outfit...you know...not like the pictures you see on Facebook! In a phone call I can find out what I can do make you feel better or celebrate your great idea or remind you that whatever is worrying or upsetting you too shall pass.
I guess I want a good balancing act between our new technological friends and our flesh and blood encounters. When one outdoes the other, I feel I'm in trouble and there's something missing in my life.
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