Friday, June 11, 2010

#LowTech

Late last night, as I was listening to a CD on my personal CD player, I thought about how low-tech I really am. The thing is, I'm fine with that!

While I obviously have a PC, I saw a manual typewriter on Freecycle the other day and was tempted, but just for a minute. I must confess to having a digital camera and a flip video thingy, but I wouldn't cry over losing either one. There are only oh so many cat pictures and vids one can make, right?

I'm very happy to have an old-fashioned family doctor who knows me inside out and upside down rather than an array of specialists. Also love having a small local pharmacy who still delivers when you are ailing.

I have no Ipod, no Ipad, no Laptop, no Iphone, no Smartphone, hell not even a cell phone!
I have a DVD player, but not a DVR. I still have tons of things in VHS format.

We still own our LP's! Vinyl! Have CD's and DVD's but wouldn't know a Blue Ray if it stung me.

There is nothing that could be called "flat screen" in our humble abode.

I actually still check email before I log on to see what's going on at Facebook or what Twitter is trending. When I do any web site work, I code in HTML by hand- although I do know how to use WYSIWYG editors.

Newspapers are still delivered to our house by a kid. Sure, I read news online, but I do my crossword and read my comics the old style way. Much like with a book, I love the feel of actual news paper in my hands. Back in the day, late 80's I worked for a leading computer magazine. Unixworld. Now defunct. Today, if I want to do most freelance writing, I'm forced to do it on the net. For the most part, that's fine, but it somehow lacks the personal interaction and even personal conflicts that made work more human.

Our Mr. Coffee does not have a programmable timer, unless you count me, making the coffee same time every AM hoping I'm awake enough to measure properly.

The most prevalent furniture in our house are bookcases in every room. Books are the accessories of choice. My favorite places are libraries and independent bookstores, so, you guessed it, I don't own a Kindle or a Nook or any kind of e-reader.

I've never texted anyone in my life, don't plan to start, and frankly wouldn't want to learn how to un-spell. IMO texting has dumbed down our kids to a point that this country may never recover as any sort of educational leader.

Recently, I was part of a discussion about how rude it is for people to Text when they are at a restaurant or a gathering of folks visiting and just kicking back together. During said discussion, while participating in the discussion, two people were glued to texting or checking their I-phones! One got the hint, the other was oblivious. Obviously hypnotized and chained to the hi- tech products rather than actual human interaction.

I'm about to become even more "Stone-Age"...my 1995 Buick has bit the dust and with no plans, nor finances for a new vehicle, my only mode of transport will either be my feet or waiting for hubby to drive me around. Unless, of course, they bring ZipCars to Danvers! Now that I'd be willing to upgrade my status to that of 2010 gal with an environmentally good plan for resuming automotive capability and saving $$.

Some of you are shaking your heads and maybe even feeling sorry for me. Please don't! Other than not having a car for the foreseeable future, I'm happy!

#LowTech and proud of it. Not that there's anything wrong with that!

Cheers!
LowTech Mama,
Laura

Tuesday, June 1, 2010

Killer Characters

The Cozy Chicks have a Cool New Blog--written by the characters from your favorite cozy mysteries! How unique and fun is that!!!!

I'm excited to read it, and today it starts out with a character from author Ellery Adams.

Check it out!

Killer Characters