There used to be a time when I would scoff at technology. I am guilty of doing it occasionally, even now, but I confess I am well and truly hooked on it. I’d be a liar if I said I wasn’t.
One obvious reason is work. Without a laptop / tablet / computer, I couldn’t do what I do today – my dream job. Blogging, writing for clients, keeping in touch with friends and family on social media, staying updated on the move, feeding my photography fetish – all this is possible.
My tryst with technology started with a Pentium II home computer and dial-up internet in the year 2000. Oh, the rage of crazy telephone bills and the constraint of sitting up late to make use of the reduced browsing charges after 11 pm took their toll. Fast forward to 2014, and we’re way ahead, moving with the times and hooked on technology – carrying our digital world with us wherever we go!
Why would I stay hooked on technology?
And what will keep me hooked on to an ASUS “Transformed” T100?
As a work from home Mom, it helps stay connected and enjoy doing what I do from wherever I am. I can carry my books in digital form with me everywhere I go. Never a dull moment for someone who’s a voracious reader. I can meet a work deadline with ease. I can record my ideas as they flow without the fear of losing them or getting stressed about not being able to remember that life-changing idea.
Then there’s watching movies, listening to songs on the go, wherever we go. Entertainment on the go!
Thanks to technology, I can talk to my friend, who is in hospital right now thousands of miles away, whom I’d dearly like to be with. I’d like to hug her. There used to be a time when one could only book a phone call and hope and pray it came through. Technology makes it a breeze to connect whenever I want. I wouldn’t disturb her if she’s sleeping, though! But she’d certainly know I called when she sees the alert and that would make her smile. I can show her the glorious sunset from my terrace that she’s yearning to see to forget her freezing winter.
Pictures – more than a thousand words
As a blogger, one of my favorite inspirations is in my photography. I love to take pictures of unusual things and write about them. The greatest thing about technology is it allows me to store memories and this, of course means an unlimited treasure trove of post ideas.
Oh, how can I forget those late night school projects or the instant answers to tough questions I couldn’t answer – made possible by technology!
Or that impulsive impromptu trip we could go on because we could book our tickets late at night from the comfort of our home?
Or those precious moments I spent talking to my son via video chat when I had to be out of town on work!
Or that night when my cousin wanted an important document urgently that we could scan and send instantly?
When my son performs on stage, I can record videos and share it with family and friends who cannot be present. What greater gift and joy? We capture special events in photos and relive them when we see them.
In fact, it is thanks to technology that I’ve been able to get better treatment for my Mom when she was alive. Information is power and that’s what saved us a lot of pain and expense.
One of my happiest moments with technology
You know all my blog earnings…such as they are…go towards supporting my favorite welfare homes. So I was at one of the homes writing the check when the lady in charge asked if she could make a request. They had an emergency medical fund requirement. I felt a little miserable because I had already committed all I could contribute in the check I wrote. Still, I told her I’d be back the next day, and left, with no idea of what I would do to raise the cash. If there’s one thing I cannot say “no” to, it is a call for help. I slept that night hoping for a miracle.
And it happened.
When I awoke the next morning, a gut feeling prompted me to check email. So fancy my stunned surprise when I saw a message notifying me of an affiliate commission I had earned! The amount was marginally more than what the welfare home needed. I was overjoyed. What is really funny is – in all my years online, this is the only affiliate commission I have ever earned to date! Talk about a prayer answered!.
I am grateful to technology for not only giving me the opportunity to earn, but also actually making it possible to make a difference in others’ lives with it. It was a wonderful day, naturally and I literally skipped to the welfare home to deposit my second check.
By keeping me connected, technology makes it possible for me to:
- stay connected with my friends and family, no matter where they are
- grow my blog, build my community, connect and interact with people
- respond to my clients in time, helping me build my reputation and business.
- enjoy my offline time in peace, knowing I have my world within reach
- remember important occasions like birthdays and anniversaries
Why, even as I am writing this now, I have one eye on the clock to make the deadline for the “Time to Transform” contest courtesy Indiblogger. I am able to do this only because I use an online calendar that alerts me to deadlines…and drives my family crazy.
Technology has got me well and truly hooked – and it rocks. The weird thing is, neither I nor my son got hooked to playing computer games. Ah well, that much more time to do fun things.
Technology has minimized the if-onlys in life. In fact, it has shrunk the world on to my keyboard! Talk about the world at my fingertips! And I can literally take my world with me where I go. It has enriched my life beyond measure. It lets me work easy, play hard! Yes!
And? The best part? YOU! I wouldn’t miss that for the world!
Now, if only technology could make it possible for me to stay in touch with my Mom! I guess, in a way, it has…via Coffee With Mi. Sigh.
I am now going to sit back and fantasize about my ASUS Transformer Book T100, a 2-in-1 ultraportable laptop with detachable tablet.
Thanks Indiblogger.
18 comments
I can agree that this technology has opened up windows to talk to people far away…and see them. One can research things and blog:) I am still a little old school and miss those days to write it down. I miss seeing beautiful penmanship which i never had but I d miss seeing it. I can see both sides and feel that people may miss things due to technology but people could say i miss things for not having it. Oh well:)
Birgit recently posted…Brag, Brag, Brag and no Shame
Birgit, I know exactly what you mean. Thanks to being a child of the sixties, I always think I have the best of both worlds – before the internet and after the internet. 🙂 I still enjoy writing in longhand – there’s no fear of my writing pad ever crashing. But digital is so convenient and in a world rushed for time, it is the perfect solution. I enjoy both! Like you, I do think that much of today’s generation is missing out. But hey, they’re growing up in a different environment altogether. So – what they don’t know, they won’t miss!
Hugs and thanks for dropping by!
Vidya Sury recently posted…A Walk to Remember
Technology has indeed transformed our lives. There were times when the pen and paper were the only things available to us to vent our feelings. Today in addition to the two we have the social media, the email, sms and a whole lot of other avenues at our disposal thanks to technology. So it’s no surprise that we are hooked to it.
Geeta Nair recently posted…Time to Migrate?
I feel so outdated at times when I think that during my school days there was no mobile, during my college days there were no laptops, during my pg days there was just d odd touchscreen phone.
Today, you have touch screen laptops, tablets … all with awesome features and bringing everyone closer together so easily. Before, once the person left the house, there was no way to contact him unless he called from an STD booth 😀
Times have changed… in these matters, for the better.
The new Asus device does have some lovely features.. all the best for the contest.
Roshan R recently posted…What Maya Angelou’s words meant to me…
Technology has truly changed our lives. I remember going on vacations as a kid where we would click only 36 photographs because those rolls would be expensive and today, I see people clicking selfies every minute! Technology has come a far far way.
All the best for the contest 🙂
Khushboo recently posted…He was an Ordinary Man…
As a fellow blogger, I have to agree with the fact that I am hooked to technology. How else would I have discovered you? <3
Shailaja V recently posted…Tread lightly
Yes, technology is certainly a great enabler. And makes all those great things possible that you list. In some ways I too am hooked on to technology, or at least my laptop. But I am still old-fashioned about my phone and several other things. I spent one evening this week looking at some new phones after my husband suggested that maybe it was time for me to replace my old non-smart phone. Even ordered one online, only to cancel the order next morning because I couldn’t make up my mind! I want a simple reliable phone which will allow me to do a few things I want, but they are making them so complicated these days, I feel, much “smarter” than me I suppose 🙂 Oh well…need to do some more research, and of course, technology will help there 🙂 Good luck for the contest!
Beloo Mehra recently posted…Light is All You Need
hahahah ! i still remember the days when you used to drive me up the wall with your tech issues 🙂 Not that you don’t now.. :-p
Ravi – believe it or not, I was laughing my head off, thinking about it when I wrote this post.I’ll bug the sh*t out of you for as long as there’s technology in my life. 😀 That’s what best friends are for, right? Hugggs!
Vidya Sury recently posted…Hooked on Technology and Loving it
Technology is the thing that connects us all. Millions of writers all over connected by the sheer need to write and facilitated by the blogosphere 🙂
Of course Vidya!What would we do without technology! I am in the same boat as you are in terms of working online and on the go.Wish you the best for the contest.
I liked the way you organized this post. There is this strong emotional ‘connect’ in your words. One can actually sense the kind of gratitude you have towards technology. And I really, really appreciate your social initiatives. All the best for the contest.
Thanks Vidya great post! I also don’t know where I’d be without technology. I find it hard to keep up though with all the new fangled stuff and often plague my sons long distance about this and the next thing … (how to post a picture, what does new tab mean, how can I use it etc etc etc). They of course grew up with the stuff.
But the friendships over the airwaves – what a treasure. Look up and research anything that one wants, write the WIP on it.
As long as I take the time out to smell the roses, or meet a friend for coffee, or check out Mother Nature, this is one gal who will be eternally grateful for technology.
Susan Scott recently posted…Calm from De-Cluttering
Even I was somebody who stayed away from technology but now I kind of want to invest in a good tablet to get along with reading my favorite books and blogs easily..
A very well put post .. 🙂
simple girl recently posted…A to Z reflections post….
Oh, we are so used to living in a technological world now that life without it and our tech gadgets is simply unimaginable!! All the very best for the contest, Vidya!
Shilpa Garg recently posted…Good, Better…
Technology is a boon, as you’ve described so well! All the best for the contest!!
Of course, it’s necessary that we use technology wisely. Unfortunately, many of us have allowed technology to control our lives.
Proactive Indian recently posted…Where does the buck stop?
Technology surely does make the world go round. I am so thankful for it because it has allowed me to know you and to count you as a friend even though we live on opposite ends of the globe. To me that is a blessing from God.
Kathy Combs recently posted…The Proposal
couldn’t agree with you more with the benefits and advantages of technology.
technology for me has been a great way to connect with people, writers and bloggers – writing on topics that I resonate with.
I think sometimes technology infiltrates a bit too much in my life though when I have constant access to emails, facebook and other social media. of late, I’m trying to shut of my phone at night, keep my computer ina different room and have periods of a technology fast dailY:)