Thursday, January 28, 2010

Technology Eludes Me

At one time I felt I had a handle on the tech world, well, at least I could handle email and the internet. That was ten years ago. When I interviewed for the position of Library Branch Manager, back in 2001, the interviewers were interested in my email ability. They were pleased I could indeed handle email. Nothing more was ever asked about my tech abilities and as a branch manager, I really didn't find myself doing much more than internet and email. Thank goodness for their great IT department!



My husband is knowledgeable about computer tech stuff, although he'll tell you he's not THAT knowledgeable. Come on, Honey, you spent two years debugging software and setting up a computer system to integrate information! I guess he's just being modest about his capabilities. I, on the other hand, have not entered the 21st Century!  At least that's how I feel as I watched Steve Jobs' presentation of the new Apple iPad yesterday evening. Hubby likes to watch G4 sometimes. If you, or anyone in your household is a computer nerd, geek, whatever the title, you've probably heard or seen this network. I was stunned. I felt even more techno challenged. I use a pay-as-you-go cell phone and we still use a land line telephone in our rural home. Though, we do have satellite internet otherwise we'd be left to the mercy of dial up or driving miles to the library.



I think my problem with computer and electronic tech, at my age (48 soon to be 49), is the fact that I just don't care to keep up with the constant changes. I feel I'm from another time anyway. I'm pretty sure that's why I'm comfortable with my horses. They are of another time and those of us who keep horses in our lives, may often find their simplicity is what draws us to them. Even with all the gadgets one can buy for their horses, I find myself falling back on the good old simple stuff.


I had to buy a new land line phone. It's charging. I'm more than happy that it was very simple to set up. Living in a rural area, our cell phone range isn't good so we keep a land line. I read the other day that the land line phones will be obsolete in the next ten years. That's how I feel some days, obsolete! I can only imagine how folks in their 70's, and beyond, must feel in this brave new techno world!

Monday, January 25, 2010

Time for New Stuff

Time to get moving on some new things. It's been almost a month since I said good bye and good riddance to 2009 which is NOT going down as one of my better years, as a matter of fact, it's one of my worst. But 2009 is in the rear view now, and to celebrate or maybe motivate, I've changed up my profile picture, colors and just tried to spruce up a bit.


The handsome fella in my profile photo is my eleven year old Spotted Saddle Horse, Bo. He is of the "old" generation Tennessee Walker. Big, gorgeous head and a body to match. He can be moody, but then, so can I, needless to say, we understand each other...most of the time. 


January is rolling to an end and I am counting down the days. I am not a fan of the month. It is my least favorite. 

I realized the other day that many major upheavals in my life occurred during the month of January. Maybe it's just because my mood is dreary during this month, no matter what I do. I am definitely one of those people affected by SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder).


Probably a good thing we didn't move to Alaska when we were considering it ten years ago. Yeah, don't think that would have been the best idea, for me anyway.


Fortunately, our path didn't move us that way.We're still here in Southern Ohio, the Foothills to the Smoky's and it's not so bad. We can pretty much depend on the change of the four seasons here and I like that. Don't get me wrong, Alaska, especially the Inside Passage, where we traveled back in '99, is gorgeous and breathtaking. People who live in Alaska year around are a gutsy bunch!


Now, I know January is not going to leave without a bang. It surprised us last year with the ice storm and wind storms during the very last days. Weather forecasts are calling for "significant" winter weather toward the weekend.


Here's three cheers to February coming in next week!  Won't be long until the crocus are popping through after that.