Mindful Musings - 4

Journalists have written endlessly about the internet and how important it is to our culture. I won't argue there. The internet has opened a whole new world of inquiry and of course, devicevness, as well. Right now I can commensurate with Andy Rooney (of 60 Minutes fame) in getting lost in this world wide web. Why, I remember, (he'd grumble) and he would knock off all the advances in his world...I remember the mimeo machine, and fingers purple with ink. Anyone ever hear of carbon paper? I doubt this new generation has a clue. Remember libraries, where you sat for hours writing on those silly 3x5 cards, information that you could include in an assignment your teacher gave. Do you remember when the first Xerox machines were unveiled? Remember how you couldn't use them without permission. Sigh. Those were the days least that's what old Rooney would say.

Well, now I'm a 21st century kinda gal. I can do anything except when my computer can't seem to connect to the cable and watch my world fall apart! When did I get to be so dependent on this machine, and its tentacles?

For the past three days I was off-line and all I could think about was this blog and paying my bills. How would I do it without my connection to the internet? When I thought of going back to the old ways, of licking stamps and balancing check books, I broke out in a cold sweat (yes I do realize you don't have to lick stamps any more...doh!).

When your computer breaks down all you can do is suck your thumb and regress.

Guess where I've been the last few days with no internet? Yups, I've been sucking my thumb and living in a fetal position, regressing. Not a pretty sight, I tell you!

Now that I'm back online, and nearly married to the cable guy for helping me solve the problem, I'm a very happy person. It all goes to show the importance of progress in our daily lives and that if we need to we can always go back to pencils and paper.

Now if only progress would catch up with the Gulf oil spill, my world will be calm once again!