This afternoon I sent out a tweet that said:
@Lavagal I’m looking at a paper check list above my computer and using my mouse to select something on it. Clearly, it is #yaba-daba-doo time. #FB
A few people responded about similar experiences. There’s no getting away from it: Technology is every where. Since I’m surrounded by it, I find it affects all areas of my life. To wit:
- When I’m driving the van, I hit the volume key to get the kids to talk louder. The radio isn’t on.
- When I’m working on a computer, I touch the screen because I think I’m working on my iPad.
- I use my Verizon Cosmos as a TV remote control. It doesn’t work.
I can’t say that I use my iPhone for things it’s not meant for, but its apps, all 186 of them, do so many things that it’s the Swiss Army knife of the modern age. It doesn’t cut, but, it’s a flashlight, a radio, a bank, a recorder, a newspaper, a secretary, a cookbook, a library, a GPS, a calorie and Weight Watchers points counter, and hey, a phone! I know people use their iPhones for all kinds of other things that are out of my realm.
I will say that I’ve never reached for my iPhone and pointed it at John to get him to shut up, but I’m sure he would be amused and he most definitely would smirk at me.
So as a kid who watched the Jetsons on Saturday mornings while still in her pajamas, I would like to say there a few things I’m wishing would materialize soon. I like the idea of Rosie the robot maid, and I’d love to zip out into space to visit the Big and Large Mothership for groceries. Processed foods are here, but I’m happiest when I cook, using a favorite knife on a cutting board, a great pan on the stove. I have an oven that I could program to kick in while we are out, but I worry about the food spoiling.
So we don’t want to turn into the blob-like humans of Wall-e, John and I ride our bicycles with our bicycle computers to track our efforts and show them to the world. Unfortunately, while we are gone, there isn’t any computer getting my laundry done. I’ve got kids for that, I guess. One of them could get out of it if she would design a laundry app!
@postaday 38, #postaday2011
Lavagal 
I have been thinking all week about this post, about the ways I’ve enjambed my day-to-day with technology.
Listening to a voicemail on speakerphone yesterday in the car, I reached for the knob on the radio to turn up the volume. Of my phone.
I rarely use or hold a landline anymore, but when I do, I curse the antique thing for not having a “delete” button when I misdial. *shakes head* can you imagine a shared line for four houses? Or a rotary phone? By golly.
I wear a watch for style, rarely referencing it to tell the time. That’s what my phone is for. I don’t have an alarm clock either.
I’ve tried to put my phone away while driving but the map application tells me if there’ll be traffic, what the weather is like in hawaii, and, well, it has pandora on it. I’ve actually yelled at it, too, for lacking the ability to acutally drive me home. But I hear that’s almost reality anyway.
Love the Judy jetson reference. My favorite character was Astro. The dog. :o)
Thanks for the post(s a day), Paula!
Lizzie