It’s a whole new world out there.
For those of you living under a rock or perhaps just resistant to change — be warned; technology is continuing to evolve. For many of our readers this is yesterday’s news. Texting, Instant Messaging (IM), Facebook and Smart Phones are far from new technology.
Slow in the tech savvy department and lacking a teenager to help guide me, I will be the first to admit I have been among the company of the resistant bunch. It’s just barely been a year since I first started to use the text message feature offered on cell phones.
Now, one year post conversion I am trying to get my parents, not to mention my husband, on the text bandwagon.
True, usage of this feature can become excessive with certain personality types or age groups. For the “over communicator” struggling with short term memory, it is truly a dream come true.
It has also proved as a great tool, for listing my ‘honey do’ list in a place a little less convenient for my husband to lose. Genius!
Speaking of ‘genius,’ for those who have yet to cross a ‘Smart Phone,’ this is yet another ‘genius’ piece of technology. I’ve owned many Smart Phones throughout the last few years. Admittedly, I have made my purchases based solely on style and rarely on function. I’ve never activated or even explored all the features my phones have offered.
“Who has time for all that?” I would argue.
Last year as I navigated through the texting world my girlfriend predicted Facebook and a true Smart Phone were just around the corner. I resisted.
I feel it important to point out that this friend and I are a decade apart in age. She is sassy, single and very hip to the latest, while I am a married mommy who barely has time for my hairdresser, let alone cutting edge technology.
But times they are a changing.
In the coming months, my job at the paper will be changing up a bit. To reward myself for this pending change, I decided it was time to treat myself to a true Smart Phone with all options on ‘go.’
Pushing myself completely out of my comfort zone, I also decided to navigate my way on to Facebook. No … it’s not a mid-life crisis, I’m just finally catching up and accepting that things are moving forward whether I am on board or not.
My journey onto Facebook started with one small purpose; to find a college friend I had lost touch with shortly following graduation. Within days, literally via Facebook he and I were “friends” and were able to pick up right where we left off. Next came reconnecting with cousins I had lost touch with as our careers blossomed and our lives took different turns.
Now, close to one month later — in keeping with my obsessive personality — I am hooked. There are many facets of this funny place called Facebook that just make me giggle like the internal teenager I am. Not to mention horrify and disgust my husband as my Smartphone indicates a ‘comment’ or ‘message’ is waiting for me.
It’s a social networking site, after all, and ultimately that is how I utilize it best.
Case in point, a few weeks ago I was helping our editor on a piece for the paper at the last minute. When I asked if she had the details needed, she informed me she had estimates but no solid numbers. Within a stretch of literally 10 minutes through the help of Facebook and texting I not only had her numbers, but quotes for the piece as well. Again, this is genius.
Admittedly, I’m secretly waiting for the other shoe to drop. Something this easy and this genius, has to have a down side. I’m protecting myself from the evildoers in all ways possible and well, if the bad guy finds me — I promise … you will be the first to know.
Teresa Hammond is a staff reporter for The Oakdale Leader, The Riverbank News and The Escalon Times. She may be reached at thammond@oakdaleleader.com or by calling 847-3021. For information or to ‘friend’ Oakdale’s ‘Mommy Musings’ look for the link when you visit the website, oakdaleleader.com.
