Technology Driven World

Today became an unintentional experiment concerning whether or not I can live without my handheld devices. Now ladies, get your minds out of the gutter. I know a few of us can't live without those other devices, but today, I'm discussing the more tech-driven devices like our phones and tablets. Though that does raise an interesting topic ... do men have similar discussions as women about sex toys? Sorry, erotica will be the topic of the next post.

Anyways, in my complete and utter disordered confusion this morning, I left the house, minus my cell phone and tablet. It was interesting to discover how my day was influenced by the lack of these daily fixtures. To start, I had a last-minute appointment with my ENT at her office in the Lutheran Hospital complex, which I'm not as familiar with as the Parkview North complex. Without my trusted GPS on my phone, I drove back and forth through the complex which is not arranged sequentially by building address. Since this was a last-minute appointment, I had typed in the time on my phone calendar which I did not have with me, but I was positive I was scheduled for 9:30. After getting lost, I was relieved to arrive at 9:25, only to be told by the receptionist that my appointment was for 9:15.

I never carry books anymore since I have reading material downloaded on my tablet. Print books now inhabit my nightstand for nighttime reading rather than residing in my purse. This wasn't so bad in the reception area where I could watch HGTV but once back in the exam room, all I could do was stare at the walls. If you've ever been in an ENT office, you'll know that they have the examination table and the macabre-looking exam chair and an assortment of non-mentionable paraphenelia. After a rather painful exam, the doc and I discussed the game plan and I was on my way. Don't get me wrong, I have a fabulous ENT. She is thorough, listens, and finds solid solutions. I'm just frustrated by some of the stuff she told me. When preparing to leave, I had to ask for a print out of the doc's instructions because I usually note the details on my tablet in case I get forgetful later. The doc requested I schedule a follow-up appointment but I didn't have my calendar with me to see my availability so I'll have to call back.

Typically after I visit the doctor, I text or call Mich. She's the one who regularly gets to hear all the yucky details but was spared this morning. Heading back to work, I realized there was a problem when the speed limit sign read 60mph. Yep, directionally-challenged Mel was going the wrong direction on 24. Arriving back to work for the second time that morning I was exhausted and desperate for a nap, but my phone serves as my alarm. I know I could have asked Kay to discreetly wake me, but some of the volunteers were talking outside my office so I wouldn't have been able to rest very well and it would have been hard to be discreet with an audience.

On my break, instead of checking my phone or tablet for an update on my incoming emails, I checked via the computer which required me logging into my three separate email accounts, then bouncing between them as I'm still transitioning between my accounts. It made me realize how reliant I had become on my devices streamlining my incoming mail. Though I won't deny that it was nice not having my phone buzz every ten minutes with some random message. As I was leaving for the day, I was informed of another major snafu that raised my ire. I reached for my phone with a plan to text a friend about the situation and to email a colleague for clarification, then realized that I would have to wait until I got home.

After work, I rushed to my evening appointment with my torturer, Steve. As I sat in the waiting area, once again I was reminded that I did not have anything with me to read or to occupy my time except to stare at the walls. Some of you know my dirty secret about why I visit Steve, but you may not know that there has been a slight hitch and I have been seeing Steve every week recently. Though he's my torturer and is extremely blunt, he really is a fabulous guy. Besides not charging me for these extra appointments, he was appalled that for once I did not have my calendar. Since I could not remember which night I work next week, Steve asked the receptionist to schedule me in the morning and evening so that I could consult my calendar and cancel one of the appointments. How awesome is this guy! Of course, I didn't have anything to write myself a note to call back about the appointment since I keep all my notes on my tablet.

At the pharmacy, I discovered that there had been an issue with my new inhaler so there would be a twenty minute wait. As you can imagine, I could not stand the thought of sitting at the pharmacy staring at the walls, so I left without my prescription. If I had my phone, I would have posted on facebook about my frustration at them not having my pills and inhaler as well as there being a delay with my second inhaler. I arrived home to more than thirty emails blinking on my phone along with all my calendar reminders, including the 9:15 ENT appointment. I responded to the emails that required immediate attention, while frantically being aware of the evening slipping away.

Quickly, I texted Mich and discovered that her mom had fallen. Mich is giving everyone fair warning about the clumsiness pandemic, in which I was the first victim. As some of you know, I have been in some pain this week from a nasty fall that was caused by sheer clumsiness. Have I mentioned what a rough week it has been between my bruises, allergies, and the severe narco symptoms? 

So it was an interesting day without my devices. I hadn't realized how much I had come to rely on them, much less the back-log of work that builds up when I'm not monitoring them through the day. Another realization was the connection I have with others via these devices. When upset or frustrated, I can simply send a text and receive a quick response that helps me feel better. Talking things through with a friend in a quick call, can be the uplift for the day. And sharing funny commentary can slip by when not readily communicated. An intriguing lesson for the day!

Tidbits ...

Here are tidbits I've picked up in the past 36 hours.

* Don't trust anything from Michigan. After Florida handed the Elite Eight game to Michigan, I was swayed by the dark side and cheered for them during the Final Four and the National Championship game ... which they lost. I should have stuck with the southern boys.

* I've spent way too much time playing with radio apps on my tablet this week. I heart Radio has a Nirvana 20th anniversary station which always appeals but it has a major drawback. I was frustrated that after I declined a song, it would still play when I created a new station. To exacerbate my confusion on this feature, the decline button was lit, indicating that the app recognized my preference in not listening to the song. I'm a Pandora-user but their marketing is becoming hilarious. Apparently if you listen to Usher, Pandora thinks that you want to date black men. I kid you not that this advertisement popped up twice.

* At work, we're preparing to migrate our email system so we've been asked to delete unnecessary emails. Erin sent me the email from when I was scheduled to train with her for my grand tour which was the first time we met. Being Erin, she also attached a sweet message.

* Following a conversation when I dropped the f-bomb several times, Becky sent me a rather humorous email about "when we run the world."

* Soon, I won't have anywhere to eat for lunch. I already refuse to eat at Toscanis and in the past week I've had ridiculously slow service at the Dash-in. During this last visit, Miss "Laid-back" Erin went to the kitchen area to see when we would get our food. I believe this is the only reason we ever saw food which we scarfed in five minutes. I have to admit to a bit of surprise that among our group, Erin was the one spurred to action.

* And this reminds me of an email from Comrade Greg which is unique. Apparently, even the Comrade, who I have a passing acquaintance but who is friendly with the gals, is cognizant of the Three Musketeers because he asked for gift ideas for them.

Social Networking Scare

At first I had no interest in trying my space or facebook. Then someone who shall remain nameless convinced me to open a facebook account just to check it out. I understand the concept and have disliked the idea of random people I don't know contacting me to be "friends". It holds no appeal. I'd rather make the effort with people who are really going to be friends or acquaintances. I thought it was interesting at first that individuals I barely knew contacted me to be "friends". I couldn't understand why they thought that since I didn't talk to them in everyday instances that I would in the virtual world.

We all have personal histories. There are those individuals who have hurt or angered us in the past. I mean the people we would never have contact with even if we were the last humans on earth. One of my former friends, who I have not spoken with in over 8 years, sent me a "friends" request. I was so shocked I didn't know if I should ignore it or comment back. This is an individual who did something to me so atrocious that after 8 years, I was shaking just to see the name. Why would this individual feel they could randomly send me a "friends" request? How could they feel comfortable after all these years to contact me and especially in this fashion? I mean a phone call would have been more appropriate. Also, I have avoided posting my name and contact on most sites, such as this blog. True, I have my name on facebook, but I have since married, changed my name, moved, and changed careers. It would take a lot to mine the changes of a decade.

It all leaves me with an uncomfortableness that I can't avoid. It makes me take a moment to question whether I should continue with facebook. Of course, now that I've been contacted by one out of the two most hurtful individuals in my life and survived, maybe I'll continue.