Philosophical Monday: The Tri-Weekly Habit — Not w/o My Computer!
I can’t remember the last time I travelled without a laptop. I’ve been racking my brain all weekend and the last time I can confidently say that I left it at home is when I did my Western Hemisphere tour with Crystal L. Back in 2000. Yes, it’s like that.
But I left my laptop at home on Friday. At the last minute I just decided not to pack it. And I mean the very last minute. I had actually made room in my suitcase when it occured to me that I didn’t need to bring it. I had my iPhone to check my email and my sister has an old desktop computer with internet. As I walked out the door, I felt like I was leaving a trusted friend behind, but so far I’ve managed to survive without it.
On Saturday after the baby shower I even managed to watch a whole night of TV with my sister without it, though I missed it’s familiar presence on my lap.
My sister is interesting, b/c she’s a year younger than me and an engineer, but she HATES the internet. Not only will she not join Facebook, but if I’m emailing her something important, I have to copy her on her work email just to make sure that she receives the missive, since she only checks her personal email once in a blue moon. Strange, right? Do you know anyone our own age who has totally eschewed the internet and all gadgets? She has a nano iPod and a Garmin, but only b/c I gifted her with them — I should also mention that it took me 3 years to convince her to get a DVR.
Anyway as I was waiting for my plane without my dear laptop, Delia from “Chic Geek” emailed me that she was going away for the weekend with her boyfriend, and that no computers or phones were allowed for the entire vacay. They felt it would be more romantic this way.
I emailed her back that I would die if I had to go on vacation without a phone or computer. DIE. I would also be nervous that something bad would happen the entire time. In my opinion going anywhere overnight w/o the ability to get on the internet or call others is the equivalent of going camping without any supplies — you’ll probably survive the weekend, and maybe you’ll have some great epiphany or whatevs — but you could also get lost and die of hypothermia and/or starvation as you try to find your way back to civilization. Yes again, it’s like that.
Do you think you could go on vacay without a phone or computer? Is that really more romantic. Do weigh in.
Oh — and tomorrow I’m starting a 21 day cycle of 2 hr 40min writes and I’m going to — super-gasp — stop saying “kind of situation.” Those of who that know me personally know how hard this will be for me, since I’ve been using “kind of situation” to end my sentences since college. But it’s time. We’ll see which one is harder for me: the massive daily write or killing my version of spoken ellipses. Either way, wish me luck.
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Yes. For sure. I work in the tech sector and I have to take a break from the computer. If not for my sanity but so I don't get carpel tunnel! Which according to my neurologist I already had a mild form of before I took this job. I took a weekend off from Facebook. I admit I was worried about breaking away because I thought I might miss something. Sure I missed some status updates but it was nice being technology free for a while. Ok, I wasn't completely technology free since I was showing my Tivo some love during the hiatus. Sometimes I think it is nice to not be sooo connected and remember there are other things out there like books, trees and people.
Yes. For sure. I work in the tech sector and I have to take a break from the computer. If not for my sanity but so I don't get carpel tunnel! Which according to my neurologist I already had a mild form of before I took this job. I took a weekend off from Facebook. I admit I was worried about breaking away because I thought I might miss something. Sure I missed some status updates but it was nice being technology free for a while. Ok, I wasn't completely technology free since I was showing my Tivo some love during the hiatus. Sometimes I think it is nice to not be sooo connected and remember there are other things out there like books, trees and people.
The only real break I ever get is when I travel overseas. I usually hit an internet cafe a couple of times but when I check it, it's mostly stuff that coulda waited anyway. I love the idea & need to unplug more often…
The only real break I ever get is when I travel overseas. I usually hit an internet cafe a couple of times but when I check it, it's mostly stuff that coulda waited anyway. I love the idea & need to unplug more often…
poop, i forgot to mention that i will miss your "kind of situation." perhaps you can use it in moderation. i think it's cute. although, i use the word cute too much… ok, we both need rehab.
poop, i forgot to mention that i will miss your "kind of situation." perhaps you can use it in moderation. i think it's cute. although, i use the word cute too much… ok, we both need rehab.
We didn't have cell phones or computers on our honeymoon two years ago and we survived! Most of the places we stayed didn't even have televisions. All the important people had our itinerary and the numbers at the various hotels — if something tragic had happened, I'm sure someone would have called us. But nothing did. It was kind of nice to be so disconnected.
Of course, that was before my beloved iPhone.
We didn't have cell phones or computers on our honeymoon two years ago and we survived! Most of the places we stayed didn't even have televisions. All the important people had our itinerary and the numbers at the various hotels — if something tragic had happened, I'm sure someone would have called us. But nothing did. It was kind of nice to be so disconnected.
Of course, that was before my beloved iPhone.
Being technology-free is fun for a weekend, but beyond that it becomes a real problem.
A couple of years ago we went to Europe for over 2 weeks. No phones. We had a computer with us, but most of the places we stayed didn't have net access, so it was mostly for getting photos off the camera. When there was any access, DH would go online, but I refused, saying, "I'm on vacation! Whatever it is, I don't want to know!" When I finally checked over a week into the trip, there were 20 emails from work due to a huge emergency — a tiny thing that I needed to do on my end, with catastrophic results if I didn't. I did it in the nick of time, but after that I had to promise that I'd either check my email or give the secretary the contact info for the hotels.
Being technology-free is fun for a weekend, but beyond that it becomes a real problem.
A couple of years ago we went to Europe for over 2 weeks. No phones. We had a computer with us, but most of the places we stayed didn't have net access, so it was mostly for getting photos off the camera. When there was any access, DH would go online, but I refused, saying, "I'm on vacation! Whatever it is, I don't want to know!" When I finally checked over a week into the trip, there were 20 emails from work due to a huge emergency — a tiny thing that I needed to do on my end, with catastrophic results if I didn't. I did it in the nick of time, but after that I had to promise that I'd either check my email or give the secretary the contact info for the hotels.
No way, I usually take my Blackberry, iPhone and my Mac Book Air. The only time I have traveld without it was Bermuda because my husband made me promise and nothing worked anyway. I am stil struggling with not carrying my Blackberry on the weekend and not sleeping with everything right beside me on my nightstand.
I clearly have a problem.
No way, I usually take my Blackberry, iPhone and my Mac Book Air. The only time I have traveld without it was Bermuda because my husband made me promise and nothing worked anyway. I am stil struggling with not carrying my Blackberry on the weekend and not sleeping with everything right beside me on my nightstand.
I clearly have a problem.
Well, I'm back from my vacation, and I have to say that I didn't miss my computer at all. We sat on a lot of benches (Savannah is FULL of them) and just looked at the trees. Yeah, really. Ernessa, I also rarely watch TV without mine, and just "sitting" has never been a part of who I am AT ALL, but I let go a little and it was really nice.
Trees! Bah humbug! I bet the first thing you did when you got home was check your email and voicemail — before you unpacked. We all need water to survive, my friend. :)
Well, I'm back from my vacation, and I have to say that I didn't miss my computer at all. We sat on a lot of benches (Savannah is FULL of them) and just looked at the trees. Yeah, really. Ernessa, I also rarely watch TV without mine, and just "sitting" has never been a part of who I am AT ALL, but I let go a little and it was really nice.
Trees! Bah humbug! I bet the first thing you did when you got home was check your email and voicemail — before you unpacked. We all need water to survive, my friend. :)
You may be right Ernessa, but that doesn't mean I was looking forward to checking those things…
You may be right Ernessa, but that doesn't mean I was looking forward to checking those things…
the only time we leave our computers behind is when we go away for our anniversary. and no, we don't miss them AT ALL. it's unique since we're usually tied to technology, and it's such a good feeling to be free. the blackberry/iphone, on the other hand, is always in tow, but rarely used (family calls, urgent emails, directions if we're lost, and the rare imdb search if our memories get stuck).
the only time we leave our computers behind is when we go away for our anniversary. and no, we don't miss them AT ALL. it's unique since we're usually tied to technology, and it's such a good feeling to be free. the blackberry/iphone, on the other hand, is always in tow, but rarely used (family calls, urgent emails, directions if we're lost, and the rare imdb search if our memories get stuck).