Leaving the Computer Behind

The project: Leaving computers behind.

Time:
Massive time saver.

Why bother?
It used to be that television at up too much of our time. In 1999, we cut the cable, thereby leaving ourselves with three television stations (one in Spanish). We saved a LOT of time.

Sure, we still found screen time ala computer, but at the time, we used it for e-mail, some word processing and bookkeeping. That was it. The computer was on for an hour or two on the days we used it, and we didn't even bother every day.

Things have changed. It seems we use the computer for just about everything. Addresses? check. Recipes? Sometimes, check. Bookkeeping? Check. Encyclopedic resources? Check again. Plus the Internet has expanded its services. Now it's possible to waste spend far MORE time online, reading websites and blogs, watching videos, researching, clicking through, stepping into the infinite void of the Internet.

I have fallen into the void once too often.

Rather than take the laptop with me to access the wireless provided by our accommodations, I opted to leave the thing home, and focus on the events at hand and family.

Worth it?
Absolutely. Did I miss it? Yes, because I SWEAR I'm addicted to this connection to family, friends and the infinite Internet.

I foresee future scaling back in my computer use.