I wonder if it might be good for me to drop out of all this internet/cyber crap. Digital cameras, Facebook, blogs, Flickr. I spend a lot of time putting [carefully selected parts of] my life on display and checking out other people’s. I don’t think this is healthy for me as a father struggling to live in the proverbial moment.
Then again, this could be brought on by my frustration over having to send my relatively expensive camera to Canon again, after they got crap under my lens last time they repaired it. And the sudden jolt when I realized that I won’t have my camera Friday when my old friend comes to town — as if it didn’t happen if I don’t record it all as a JPG.
I sent paper cards to a few folks recently, folks to whom I used to write regularly. And it felt great. I miss spending time reading books and writing, rather than reading about pens and authors’ silly personal secrets on the web. I used to write more than I read about pens and Moleskines, and this is no longer anywhere near the case.
I was going to start a serious, full-time dad blog latter this summer. Now, I don’t know.
It feels like the whole world is online, though, and you miss everything if you’re not. But then again, what are we really missing?
I’m spending too much time consuming and not enough time creating.
Isn’t it ironic that in this vast see of communication tools we often fail to truly communicate with people in meaningful ways. At least, I know I do. I’ve tried, unsuccessfully to quit FB at least 3 times. Somehow I feel i’m missing something everytime. Maybe it’s time to pick up the phone or even write a letter.
I remember once in the nineties, I sent a card to a friend in DC after visiting her. She was genuinely shocked to receive a handwritten note. She truly did not understand why I’d sent her a card when I could have called…
It’s good to embrace technology; however I do see your point about going back to the “ole fashion” roots of journalism, etc. You could always do a little less with technology and find your way back to old habits. Never give up on something entirely, just give it a mix. I know I will start a family blog once we start a family. It will be a great way to share with family and love ones and it is great to look back on moments. I went back to blogbowman, and that brought back some good memories.
I miss blogbowman. I’m looking forward to your blog AND your family, Kev! :)