Oh my, what can I say about my devices. They complete me, I think they are more a family to me than my own. Now if only they could buy me roses on valentines day. I spend more time talking to my laptop than my husband or kids, it sees me go through the entire spectrum of emotions - happiness, bewilderment, irritation, disbelief, despair and everything in between - each day everyday, as I go through my work day, my charity club and then finally my passion project. The pandemic and the advent of Zoom has made it even more pervasive in our daily lives. Now if someone could only program my computer to pass that tissue - it would be a complete package. Think about it, it's a great listener too!
In todays busy world my family of four every morning goes in 4 different directions. Two kids go to different schools, my husband to work and the dog and I work from home (for now), eventually I'll be on my way to DC. The best (read only) way to stay in contact with the fam is through text message. Vacations, grades, schedules, dinners, disciplinary actions everything is discussed via my little phone.. If I am not staring at my two computer screens then it is the little one in my hand wherein my entire life gets texted away - if not to my family then to my friends. Sometimes it is the only way I stay in touch with the rest of humanity other than my colleagues.
Hosting a dinner for 12 no problem - just text the menu to your friends and ensure it works. No need to pick up the phone and discuss the pros and cons of pairings - that's too old fashioned.
Coordinating with someone across the pond on vacation housing - no problem most apps give you screen share capabilities so you don't even have to text each other anymore.
Recently a friend of mine took a trip to India and in her hurry to board her flight, left her phone behind. OMG! I would have stopped that plane, climbed over anyone who stood in my way and run back to wherever that device was. All the possibilities of things going wrong with my device missing boggle my mind -
a) how will I stay in touch with folks in the US and India?
b) how will they know how, when and where to pick me up?
c) What if there is a crisis at work or worse with my kids?
d) How will I be up to date with the gossip?
e) How will I know what is scheduled for when?
f) What if there's an axe murderer on the loose? (Ok this might be a stretch)
All jocularity aside, I can't imagine my life without it - it's like everything would come to a standstill. It manages my schedule and my life. Those are some heavy words right there. Will you hand on heart say that you are not in the same boat? My window to the world has turned digital, it's happened gradually but here we are. Damn you iPhone! Gone are the days of my childhood wherein getting on the internet was a big thing and you actually had to drive to someone's house or pick up a landline (what's that?) to talk to someone. I used to be on the landline for hours with my friends chatting away. Now with "always on" internet and push notifications it has engulfed me entirely. Those hours have turned into 24 hours a day with no respite. Communication has become more and more constant and impersonal. To the point where it consumes you. I woke up this morning bleary eyed and before I had even brushed my teeth - answered a well meaning friend's text she'd sent while I was sleeping. With all of us stretched across the globe, the constant array of text messages never ends, it is 24x7. It is happy hour somewhere in the world right now! Need I say more?
Think about it - I (perhaps not unlike you) stare at three screens from 8 AM to 6 PM negotiating/planning/coordinating with colleagues via email, text and VOIP. to the point that come 7 PM I want to throw all my devices out the window! By that time I have finally reached information overload stage. I feel like a bit of a mental zombie as I get up from my desk to start my evening. In a bit of a daze I get through my driver job for my kids.
Finally, when I do get to unwind at around 9 PM and all my little birdies are back home from their schedules, N chitters chatters in the background telling me all about her day (which I love). It makes me feel connected with my kids atleast a bit. O on the other hand, the more sensible one, takes that time to get all her open "mom" questions answered. The moment she says the word "Mom" my antennas go up. "Oh no here it comes." I think to myself. "I am actually going to have to respond and will have to think it through before I do."
Crap, where can I hide. What if I pretend to sleep - well it will be hard to pretend to sleep with your eyes open. There is no running away from this one....here it comes.
" Can we go over my course selection for next year? I have to submit it in two days and we've been putting it off." My head hurts thinking about trying to disentangle all her options, selections and likes. I say the first thing that comes to my head....
"Text me all your options" I tell her "we'll finalize over the phone".
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