I'm not sure when it happened. I used to be an early adopter. As soon as I read about a new gadget, I just had to have it. New software, new computers, new peripherals, new whatever. I reveled in the knowledge that I was "out there", staying on the technological edge.I worked with computers when they took up a hole room and no one had a personal computer. I was in the field when few women were interested. Quick to adopt the "new", I learned to adapt quickly. I laughed at jokes about flashing numbers on video recorders. I snickered at those who sneered that they would never use an answering machine. I smiled when listening to gripes about how difficult it was to use their new device. I was the queen, I ruled.
Then one day I realized that I was losing the edge. Commercials left me wondering what they were selling. Why was that person wearing headphones and dancing? My Palm Pilot languished in a drawer while I noted events in my paper pocket calendar. GPS and geocaching were foreign terms. Why in the world would someone want satellite radio?
Determined to get my edge back, I started out with an MP3 player. Very proud that I got one with removable memory so I can store more songs, I brought it home and opened the package. I had no idea what to do next. Several readings of the documentation, I figured it out. Phew!
From there I moved to installing my own wireless network. Piece of cake...I'd worked in the computer industry for years. Yeah, right! After spending an hour on the phone with a 19 y/o son of a friend of a friend, it was up and running.
The purchases continued as did the confusion. New DVD players/recorders, GPS devices, satellite radio, programmable kitchen appliances....I read the instructions. I muddled my way through...sometimes it was like reading Greek. But in most cases I managed to get things set up.....finally.
Then I realize I need to change something....or the power flickered and I need to reset my options....or the government changes daylight savings time. And once again I realize that I can't make the change without digging out the instructions and starting all over again. Wondering if I will ever find the instructions for the neat atomic alarm clock and be able to finally set the alarms!
I've become one of those I used to smile at and snicker about.....I'm now technologically challenged and use my son and grandkids for help. Sigh....
Till next time - keep on rollin',
Froggi/Donna
Stu and Donna
Well, you are ahead of me as I don't even have a TiVo unit! I guess I am working on the assumption that I will not risk clogging my limited brain memory with things that I don't use regularly, but will instead just find the instruction book & look it up when I need to change something. Like resetting the car clock for daylight savings time changes.
ReplyDeletePat & I have bought a new RV that will be Dick & Pat's rig. Take a look at it in a few photos on my blog. Now I hope she will like to travel that way so we will get the chance to use it!
Donna, that's what kids and grandkids are for -- to help us with gadgets and computers!
ReplyDeleteDonna, I saw your address in the http://groups.yahoo.com/group/EastCoastRVing_Traveling/
ReplyDeleteand it caught my interest, because it was in the full-timer section.
What a great, brave woman you are! Thanks for sharing your story.
My dad had cancer of the larynx and was, even though voiceless, a cancer survivor.
My mom was not. She died of cancer.
My husband and I are always talking of going fulltime, but I am having the hardest time to do it, because I want to see my grandchildren grow up and being involved in their lives ever since they were born, makes it even harder and I know that hey would miss us terribly. Anyway….I just wanted to let you know that I read your story and I was totally impressed of your bravery and strength.
Thank you, Heidi
Ps. Please feel free to browse my site. Might as well, since I was snooping around in yours. ;-)
http://thelotters.net
Hey, just be glas you can make ANY sense out of the directions on that stuff! Took me 35 minutes to figure out how to get the seat off the bike to find the battery! And it only required turning the key to lift the seat! But I am proud of fixing my DVD player the other day when the cat decided to give the load tray a swat & it was stuck open...had to take the whole thing apart! Now if I could just figure out the menu choices on that thing.....
ReplyDelete