Wednesday, March 19, 2008

Thursday 13: Conveniences

Probably it's because I'm back to work in a job where I have to face my pathetic inability to figure out how to get from point A to point B, (and I HAVE to figure out getting from point A to point B not just accurately, but efficiently) but I'm beginning to bond with technology. True, sometimes I mislead myself into believing I can program my VCR (so far, hopeless), but I'm grateful for the the following:
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1. My cell phone: It wasn't so long ago that I scowled at every rude person loudly injecting his/her personal trivia into the public air space, but now: I couldn't live without my cell phone. I rely on it in emergencies, to multi-task when traveling, to call ahead, to return my calls.
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2. My navigation system: Oh Lord! I've had it two weeks and I've convinced myself I have a personal driver in the car with me telling me where and when to turn. "Left turn in .5 miles", it says. And if I screw up, it corrects my mistake and gets me to my destination anyway. This is the best $ 200 I have spent in decades.
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3. My laptop: I've made friends. I write stories. I send and receive notes and letters. Don't ask me to ever live without it.
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4. Google: I now can learn about anything I wish or need to--in a matter of minutes.
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5. My bread machine: Okay, maybe it's not the same as making bread by hand, but it's better than buying bread from a grocery shelf. And it makes piping hot bread on a lovely Sunday morning.
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6. My Toyota RAV: The back opens up and I can lug and transport anything I want: bounty from the local auction, junk on its way to the dump, unlimited shopping bags. Plus, I have all wheel drive--no need to let snow slow me down.
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7. My camera: I am the perfect candidate for a digital camera. I don't know how to operate it, exactly, but with enough chances I usually manage to snap a good picture here and there.
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8. The telephone: I have a relationship or two where the phone is the glue to staying close. Unlimited long distance is my friend.
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9. My calculator: Will I ever add/subtract/multiply/divide by hand again? This is probably not good based on the "use it or lose it" principle, but I'm a whiz at math thanks to my calculator.
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10. My spade: It's not high tech--it doesn't even have moving parts--but this nifty tool has transformed how I garden. I now make borders effortlessly, even circular borders.
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11. jb' s I-phone: Have you seen it? It's incredible. jb hates technology but in a flash she can pull up her calendar, make notes, look up directions, watch U-tube, take pictures, send emails, check the stock market. This is THE invention of 2007, and when you see how easily it scrolls from the slightest roll of your fingers, you might fall in love with the I-phone.
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12. Trader Joes: This unique store specializes in fast, prepared, tasty, and natural foods all wrapped into one. My freezer always has Trader Joes' something in it for the times when I don't feel like fully cooking but want a good meal anyway. I never tire of their products, and I try new ones almost every week.
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13. My moleskine: Here technology can't come close. I use my moleskine to write and draw anything I want any time I want. I happen to have a special moleskine--given to me with little drawings and silliness sprinkled throughout its pages by my best dearest most talented friend.
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What else? Any thing you'd like to add?

10 comments:

  1. Isn't it scary how all of this technology is creeping into our lives...and when and if you manage it properly, it becomes indispensible?

    The rate at which it is becoming user friendly and miniaturized is astonishing. I especially love being able to chat with people around the globe...
    how cool is that?

    All of these doo-dads would be sorely missed in the event of a Nuclear Winter or a Natural Extinction Level Event...
    so we had better start perfecting batteries that last forever in case the grid goes down and all the satellites get smashed by meteorites.

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  2. No 13 sounds wonderful! What a special gift :-D

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  3. I am especially amazed with and dependent on computers. I never thought that would be true, but I can't imagine living without them now.

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  4. I love Trader Joes-I wish we had one here. I have Joe Envy.

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  5. I love all those and would have to add my ipod, and my projector to the list. I wouldn't die without them, but my happiness and just quality of life would suffer a great blow without them.

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  6. One of my best buddies has an iPhone. He says it is not easy to forward text messages.

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  7. I love this 13! :) I am terrible with technology and would be lost without Computer Guru Hubby, but so many of these things I hold dear now, too. And I love that a television wasn't one of those things on your list! :) My favorites are the moleskin, the spade, Google, and your car. Mine are very similar -- I'm thankful for Eli's laptop because I've been able to keep on top of the blogs while on vacation. Next month ... I'll be sleepin' like a baby on that porch of yours ... hee hee.

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  8. My family, sense of humor and electricity.

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  9. What else? Any thing you'd like to add?

    --Dishwasher
    --Air conditioning
    --Hair dryer
    --iPod
    --Swiffer Sweep n Vac (lightweight and cordless. Nothing cleans dust bunnies and kitty litter better)

    KJ, I'd love to continue this list on my blog. May I?

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