technology at its best?????

So did you read the article??? Before we even get started, let me just say that I LOVE my iPhone! I love twitter and facebook and I have no plans of giving them up anytime soon. OK

Now......with that out of the way, let's consider how intrusive this technology has become in our lives. For some people it has become an addiction. Just like gambling. Either sitting at their computers for hours on end, or having that precious phone glued to their palm (or very close by) at all times. I know some people who don't even shut it off when they go to bed! Constant contact with the cyber world to explain your every move, feeling, whim, thought or idea; feels comforting to some. And so they continue to do it more and more. Others are forced because of their job to always be "ON". When coverage is lost they are genuinely relieved, while others are completely annoyed! I like the one comment in the article that said "I was not impressed!"(when coverage was lost) It was said like it was their right to have internet access at all times. It made me chuckle a little and also feel sad at the same time. So many pros and cons. I had a few friends at the concert and it was neat to see pictures of them and how they were doing before the concert started. I knew they were there RIGHT NOW! BUT.....I often wonder how focused we are on what is happening around us when we are always thinking about when we are going to update or status or "tweet" about what's happening. It's becoming increasingly hard to be in the moment. I've read status lines like "my best friend is here and we are having such a great time" or "my mom is visiting for a short time, but I'm enjoying it while she's here!" Are you REALLY? You had time to stop and update your status? Can you not just focus on being WITH the person your with?

Being at a concert is one of the most amazing feelings. You are all there to share an experience. The mood is generally good and unifying. Yet here we are, all trying to tweet and email and share a picture with the outside world." Look at what I'm doing!!!"" Look at how much fun I'm having!" Now I'm not saying I don't do the same; because I do! I'm torn somewhere between the annoyed person(in the article) who doesn't have coverage; and the relieved person, who is 'free' to enjoy the moment without distraction.

Every year we go a week without electronics. We turn off all the screens and try to get back to basics. When the week is over, we are all happy and somehow calmer. We've had a great week. (even though we go into it kicking and screaming) Yet when the week is done, we are glad to get back to the cyber world and get connected once again. This is an aspect of our lives that is a constant struggle to balance. it's part of the 21st century and if you ignore it, you will get left behind. But if you jump in all the way.....you just might be lost! How does technology affect your life now, and how do you see it in the future??? Discuss!

photo shop

Well quite a handful of my friends have jumped on the photography band wagon. While I LOVE a good photo and find it the most pleasing memory enhancer; I'm just not all that interested in all the hoopla. The pictures I take are good enough.What I know how to do WITH the pictures is enough. What I know, about how to assemble them, is enough   ~  until now.Technology is overlapping in so many ways that it's hard to side step it. After getting my hair cut today; I started thinking of all the different hairstyles that I have had. I wanted to blog about it and put a whole wack of pictures up.I'm stumped. I've tried a few things and my husband tried a few things but.....we are just not there. Fortunately for me my husband is taking a course starting tomorrow to learn such things. I just want to know how to get them on my blog in one block. I really have no desire to take a long course on the subject. It only interests me enough to get done what I need done. Is that wrong? Am I a knowledge snob? LOL Either way; I have spent far too much time gathering photos and now they all sit on my desktop waiting to be put in a nice little package. until then....this is all you get! ;)

changing a lifestyle

We spend a lot of time using electronics in this house. We all have fb accounts except my youngest child. We have an Xbox 360 Kinect, wii, iTouches, iPhones, DS and of course televisions.I realize that too much time in front of a screen is not good for you but......When you live in Alberta in the winter months; there isn't a lot to do.When it's warm outside, of course it's easy to hop on your bike and go for a ride. Going for a walk in the summer is a no brainer.When it is -30 something with the windchill, your options are limited. I think computers are an essential part of our kids upbringing. It  never used to be so important but ....you really need to have some computer "know how" to do ANY job these days. When our children get into the work force I foresee that computers will be even MORE prevalent!My children are very computer savvy and have passed me in many ways. I AM grateful for that! Their information acquired now will serve them well in the future. We just can't get away from that! It's a fact people!That being said.....It's time to insert some other activities in their lives. I know that there are even some adults whose interests lie wholly in computers and technology but we all know that a well rounded person is the happiest.

While I was at rehearsal last night and my husband was at a meeting; our times overlapped and the kids were left home alone for about an hour. They were to practice their piano lessons. That was the only thing they had to do. When I got home, I found the two boys on the computers and Olivia in front of the t.v. The following events were not pleasant. Dad came home shorty after and words were had. To make a long story shortER.....Benjamin got up this morning and told me that he was done with the computer until February. As of today after school he is going to practice his piano and draw. I was very impressed. It even motivated me. I think I need a little intervention when it comes to the computer. Between facebooking, blogging and playing 'cityville'.....I spend a lot of time on the computer. So I have decided to give myself TIMES of the day to do these things.One rule I have implemented  is, that I will NOT be on the computer while the kids are at home and awake!That's a good start. We'll see how it goes. I'm not knocking the computer or fb or blogging! These are all important things in my life. It's a way for me to socialize and stay connected, and to also vent and have a creative outlet. Please don't misread this post as bashing this technology in any way. This is part of our lives people! the 21st century stops for no one!!!! BUT....everything in moderation. I feel this should be applied in EVERY part of our lives. Technology in this house has NOT been in moderation for quite a while! This needs to change! We'll work on that for a while and see what else comes up.