Technology…

I think a large part of the reason I enjoy writing, is because I can get everything out that I want to say without being interrupted.  I find myself limiting my face-to-face stories, because no one really cares that much.  There’s always the distraction of an i-Whatever blowing up, a dog walking by, the TV in the background, or someone else next to me saying something more interesting.  I think I’ve actually developed somewhat of a complex about talking to some people.  I try to make my stories short and to the point, and I talk really fast, because for the most part… no one gives a shit.  Guess what?  When I type this blog, you’re either stuck with my ENTIRE STORY from START TO FINISH, orrrrrr you can get up and walk away out of bordem, check your cell 35 times, go have a snack, check your email and feed your dog, and I’ll have no idea.  And my story will continue.  Because that’s the beauty of the written word.

Don’t get me wrong, I’m just as guilty of reaching for the iPhone when it’s sitting on the table between us and lights up mid-conversation.  I don’t know what it is about that little device that’s so powerful and controlling.  Chances are, whatever that little vibration meant was just a spam email, or a pointless text… but to know it’s sitting there, with something unread just ignites the curiosity.  Sometimes I wish I could take that thing and throw it in the Hudson.  You know, I think if it weren’t for the fact that I’d get fired without one, I might actually go unplugged for a while.

5 weeks in Africa without the vibration from a message throughout each day was actually very peaceful.  I didn’t miss it a bit.  Although, we were still very well connected to friends and family, being able to get on the internet almost every evening for g-chats, emails, fb convos, and twitter updates.

Technology keeps “improving,” but I think in a way it’s kind of ruining us.  It’s taking the focus off of what is really going on around us, and channeling it into these little devices.  I recently shot a friend’s wedding on my little Canon.  I spent the entire day concentrating on capturing all of the moments, and making sure I didn’t miss any good shots.  What I realized at the end of the night was that I barely felt like I was at the wedding at all.  When I transferred all of the clips onto my laptop and began the process of compiling them, I was astonished.  I was there.  I was the one behind the camera for all of these moments.  But I guess I wasn’t really there.  As I watched these two exchanging vows, and saw how deeply in love they were, I actually got teary eyed.  Yes, I sat in front of my laptop, on my couch and cried.  As if it were the first time I was seeing this.  Because I guess it was.  Staring into the back of a screen and moving around to make sure I had the best angle didn’t fully allow me to be present and appreciate the real beauty and emotions of the day.

If I had the power to turn off all of technology in the world for a week, I’d do it.  Everything.  The phones, TVs, radio, iPads, kindles, the stock exchange, the ENTIRE INTERNET, including but not limited to the biggest offenders: Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Match, OkCupid, Tinder…. etc. etc. etc…… the list goes on.  I’d make everyone go outside, drink cocktails and play board games, horseshoe, wiffle ball, Horse, Bocce and beer pong.  Then sit around a bonfire when it got cold.  Every night.  Yep.  The whole world.  Playing outside.

And as I finish up this post, I’ll be publishing it to WordPress, then copying the link to Facebook.  It will automatically be tweeted out from my Twitter account as well.  Happy Hump Day and much love to all 🙂

xoxo Gossip Girl