Doing the Digital Cold Turkey

I don’t mind challenges.  I do have problems with accepting some changes.  I’m not exactly stuck in a rut, but I can drag my heels with the best of them.  And that’s what’s going to happen this week.

Our Bishopric has asked our ward to participate in a digital fast.  No games.  No TV.  No Skyping.  No FaceBook.  No e-mails.  You get the picture.  Of course, if your job requires your computer, etc. then use them.  Me, for one, would LOVE to tell my new boss, “Sure, I don’t mind getting that meeting together for you.  Or that file created.  Or that nondisclosure agreement scanned.  It will just have to wait until next Monday.” 

No, I don’t think so.

My kids know that I (sometimes) fight the latest gadget or the newest shiniest technology-driven toy.  Other doo-dads I’ve claimed as my own pretty easily.  But others – uhm, not so fast.  It’s not that I’m not comfortable, or think I’m too old, or that the stuff just doesn’t fit into my lifestyle (if I can claim to having one of those . . .).  Let’s just say that I’m a bit of a slow learner at times.  Or maybe even a stubborn user.  Yeah, that’s a better term for me.

My poor darling husband has tried in the past to show me how much my life would improve if I’d just adopt the latest gadget.  For instance, before there were cell phones we had pagers.  I didn’t think that I was THAT important that I’d need one. Jimy got one for me because I was on the road so much and, well, I do tend to wander at times.  He just wanted to make sure that I was safe and had a way of contacting him (and vice versa).  Didn’t go over so well.  He bought me cute little pager.  Gave it to me (or so he thought).  And then tried to call me.  Hmmm – that’s odd.  The bookcase was beeping.  So much for that experiment.

I love my cell phone.  I love that I can text quick messages to my DH, kids and Gkids.  I like that fact that I can tell them I love them in 10 strokes or less.  My camera is awesome.  I have all these cool pics from travels and adventures saved in my gallery.  I play some pretty cool games on there.  But I do not go overboard about staying in contact with others like some others that are near and dear to me.

When did my darling husband, my eternal companion, the guy I’ve been deeply in like and love with all these years, become paranoid about people calling him and not leaving a message?

“Where’s area code 408?” he’ll ask.

“I have no idea.” 

So he’ll hit the return call button, IDs himself when the other end answers ("Someone at this number called me - was it you" – and they take care of business.  Or hang up after realizing that it was a wrong number (please, pleasea, leave him a message if you do call him!). 

Whatever did we do before our lives were governed by a piece of equipment the size of a pack of playing cards?

It amazes me to see folks coming out of a movie theatre, a game, or a meeting at church – every person has a cell phone in their hands, checking messages, catching up on the latest & greatest that couldn’t wait for them to get home to "reach out and touch someone." 

And I’m just as guilty, especially sitting at the dinner table at the restaurant. 

So, for this week, I’ll be making a valiant attempt at not playing games (which can take up hours of my time in the evening, not to mention the constant drain on my battery), not sending out broadcast messages on FB (with the exception of my letting folks know that I’m participating in this challenge), or spending hours cruising the internet.

I won’t check my e-mail on Yahoo.  I won’t check the latest bargains on QVC or HSN.  I won’t send out my order that’s on hold at Amazon.  And I won’t see what’s on at the movies using my date night app.

The Bishop is hoping that we’ll reconnect, have some real face time, and rediscover visiting with one another, spending quality time together, all while looking at someone in the eye when talking to them.  And, if we get desperate enough to share some news with someone actually write a letter.  Wow.  Pen to paper.  Who knew?

I doubt if I’ll make it until Friday.  I’ll go stir crazy by then.

So let’s see how long I last.

Let the games begin!!