Up North and So Forth

Sure, I like technology. I grew up with a dad that worked for IBM—which meant that I could use a computer before I could talk and learned my ABCs on a dot matrix alphabet game.  I spent hours with my brothers and neighbors conquering King’s Quest, Police Quest and MYST (to name a few).

I used AOL instant messenger all the time in high school. And even back then I was aware at how much time could be wasted on the internet. But, it was the thing to do. And pre-facebook it was the way to keep in touch with friends when I went off to college.  

So when the IM phase died down and facebook started sweeping the nation I was hesitant to join. First, I was trying to figure out some life stuff and didn’t want everyone in my business. Second, I didn’t want to be consumed by technology again. But alas, I made a promise to Lucy that when I moved to Ohio, I would join so it would be easier to keep in touch. And it was. It was fun. I loved catching up with people and allowing people to see what I was up to as well.  

But other than computers, I’ve never cared that much about the latest and greatest technology.I just don't like how people get consumed with so much "stuff".  I’ve never had an ianything. Wait… I take that back. I do have an ipod nano from circa 2005 but I have no idea where it is. And last year I was an iphone for Halloween so we’ll count that.

 

Up until 6 months ago, I still had a huge tube tv. We got our first GPS right before we moved to Maine. Last week we set up our first blu-ray player and just this past Tuesday, I got my first real smart phone. Which I call my "B Student" phone because it is not as "smart" as an iphone or droid (the A Students).

So I’ve recently added pinterest and instagram to the repertoire of things that can waste my time. Which on rainy days like today can be very nice.  I still enjoy keeping up on facebook, I’ve gotten a lot of cool ideas off of pinterest, and instagram seems cool so far. But, I just don’t want to become one of those people who is attached to their phone at all times. I don’t want to experience things through instagrams instead of just being  there. A few nights ago Jonathan and I were walking the beach and the sunset was gorgeous. I mean, gorgeous.  At first I was bummed that I had forgotten my camera but then realized that just living in the moment was better anyway (You can never really capture the beauty of a sunset in a photograph, after all).

I want to make sure I am not allowing these things to consume all my time. We moved to have an adventure and we specifically wanted to go to a state with lots to do outdoors.  I want to be intentional with the time I'll have in this beautiful state. 

I’m not swearing off facebook. I’m excited to use instagram and I’ll probably use recipes off pinterest to cook dinner tomorrow. 

I will, however, never get a twitter. Never. Ever. 

"The production of too many useful things results in too many useless people."  --Karl Marx