Technically Geeking: A Week Off From Tech
Hale Ohia Cottage
a blogumn by Justin Time
Last week saw a huge spike in tech news largely due to the attractive 9/9/09 date for launching new wares. To summarize, in order of importance: iTunes 9, iPod Nano, Palm Pixi, Zune HD, Motorola CLIQ, and The Beatles Rock Band.
Okay, now that those things are out of the way, let me say that I was glad to be on vacation last week, so that I didn’t have to bite my nails while I poured over all the specs on these products. Fellow geeks, you know what I’m talking about – a week of vacation means a week without computers, gadget news, and constant emailing and social networking. You might even read a real book, not that I did (I think I’ve forgotten how).
Better yet, a week in Hawaii takes you even further out of the technocracy. While I was pleasantly surprised to find that the Big Island had widespread cell coverage with 3G, I was equally satisfied with the discovery that the Wi-Fi in our rental house was not working, providing a welcome respite from our computers. Here is some of the Hawaiian technology I did spend a little time with instead:
• Ukulele – a Hawaiian interpretation of a small Portuguese guitar… easier than it looks
• Surfboard – known as Papa he‘e nalu in Hawaiian… harder than it looks
• Snorkel – breathing apparatus for breathless views of fish, coral, turtles and stuff
• Flashlight – used to find your way through pitch black lava tubes
• Outrigger Canoe – Okay, we only rowed in its distant relative, the kayak
• Mai Tai – actually invented in Oakland, but it sure is at home in Hawaii (and my belly)
Perhaps the best example of awesome low-tech is pictured above. We spent one night in this amazing cottage near the rim of Kilauea, Hale Ohia, where they practiced rain harvesting due to the lack of city water in the area. In fact, they built our bedroom out of an old rainwater tank, and the new one resided right under the cottage. No TV… but well stocked bookshelves.
Oh, this would not have been me. We got to Catalina Labor Day Weekend only to find out that we had no wifi at the vacation rental and only had 3G in town. I somehow managed to be a good sport about it (though weirdly I didn't get any reading done either), but I did let CH know that this was not an option when we take our longer Hawaii vacay. No sirree. I'd go mad. MAD I tell ye!
Oh, this would not have been me. We got to Catalina Labor Day Weekend only to find out that we had no wifi at the vacation rental and only had 3G in town. I somehow managed to be a good sport about it (though weirdly I didn't get any reading done either), but I did let CH know that this was not an option when we take our longer Hawaii vacay. No sirree. I'd go mad. MAD I tell ye!
I know what you mean. At first, it is maddening, but once you embrace the lack of internet, it is liberating. You realize that your brain IS in fact capable of remembering details and conversation does not require Wikipedia augmentation.
We also had no TV, but that is less scary when your Tivo is at home shifting time for you.
I know what you mean. At first, it is maddening, but once you embrace the lack of internet, it is liberating. You realize that your brain IS in fact capable of remembering details and conversation does not require Wikipedia augmentation.
We also had no TV, but that is less scary when your Tivo is at home shifting time for you.
I love the big island. One of my dream jobs is to open a Apple sales / repair company in Kona.
I love the big island. One of my dream jobs is to open a Apple sales / repair company in Kona.
I was thinking more along the lines of Kava bartender in Hilo or Ukulele salesman in Holualoa.
Or work-from-home software designer, more realistically.
I was thinking more along the lines of Kava bartender in Hilo or Ukulele salesman in Holualoa.
Or work-from-home software designer, more realistically.
I've been looking for an excuse to post a comment here and The Beatles: Rock Band has given me that opportunity! Plus, it was funny because Nicole and I were on vacation during the 9th as well in Myrtle Beach and we were dying to get home to play it :p Speaking of which, we've beaten it twice so far and it's probably one of my favorite games of this year! We'll probably review it on the podcast or something tonight, but if you're thinking about picking this one up you shouldn't be disappointed!
I've been looking for an excuse to post a comment here and The Beatles: Rock Band has given me that opportunity! Plus, it was funny because Nicole and I were on vacation during the 9th as well in Myrtle Beach and we were dying to get home to play it :p Speaking of which, we've beaten it twice so far and it's probably one of my favorite games of this year! We'll probably review it on the podcast or something tonight, but if you're thinking about picking this one up you shouldn't be disappointed!
I tried getting away from my computer for a week. The first couple days I got in the habit of looking up internet cafes where I was traveling. After having no luck, I just went to the beach with a book. I gotta say it wasn't too bad after all but I wouldn't do it again, lol.
I tried getting away from my computer for a week. The first couple days I got in the habit of looking up internet cafes where I was traveling. After having no luck, I just went to the beach with a book. I gotta say it wasn't too bad after all but I wouldn't do it again, lol.