You know you are getting older when getting a new cell phone throws you. What is the age that technology starts to throw you and you really don't accept it so easily? At what point did I start saying "Oh, that new-fangled technology" like my grandpa? Sigh. I think it was this week for me.We signed up for a new cell phone plan now that Col is off to college. I guess I'm wishful thinking when I say that we got it so he can make more calls to us. Hah! Yeah, I'm not even fooling myself. Maybe that Skype thingy will encourage him to call me, but that means I have yet another technology to master. Sheesh.
So, this whole new phone thing came with the promise that I can keep my new phone of last year that I am just now beginning to master. Well, that lasted for about 30 seconds--I found out this weekend I was doomed to have to learn a whole new phone. Ugh. I nearly wept. Seriously.
I have now spent the entire weekend trying to figure the blessed thing out and I still don't have all my contacts transferred from the old phone. And when I finally figured out how to send a text, I sent Colin the test message "Is my new phone working?", to which I got a very confused response from my friend, Betty--"Yeah, I guess so".
So, now I look like a complete idiot to my friend and my son. It's the double whammy of stupid. Thank god I make a complete fool of myself on most days--people don't expect much different from me then.
I had to then figure out how to explain it all to Betty in the cool text lingo, which I have no idea what it is, and then I just finally give up and tell her to have a nice day. Criminy.
Well, I figure it could be worse, like the granny in her white pants on the escalator in front of us last night at the mall. Maybe her friends should have told her that you could see her Depends right through her white pants before she left the house. Em and I were not very mature about the whole thing--I nearly peed my pants from giggling. Don't even tell me there is a special place in hell for me--I know, I know.
On another note, G'ma Phyl sent ya'll (that's my Kentucky lingo leftover from vacation) a message:
"Thanks so very much to Duck and Wheel bloggers for all the kind words and encouragement while my cat Bailey was ill. What nice people you are, always ready to help and cheer one another.
Bailey wasn't well enough and a very kind vet put him down because he had kidney failure. Eighteen years wasn't enough for Bailey and I to be together and I miss him something awful. I'm so fortunate to have such a supportive daughter who understands the love one can have for an animal and I thank all of you for the help you gave me during this hard time."Lin's Mom
Yeah, you guys are great. Mom's right--as usual. Glad I got ya'll.
34 comments:
I resisted texting for years and when I gave in, I stunk at it too. But now I'm goooooood.
By the way...
Did you really use the term new-fangled? Don't do that, Lin. Just don't.
I Phone I Phone I Phone. AKA cellphone for dummies. Only I never use it for actual calls so its like expensive portable internet. But I can upload photos to Facebook, take nice looking photos, text like longgggggggg letters instead of omg ttyl, check weather, check emails faster than the pc.
Oh sweet Bailey. Gma Phyl-our thoughts are with you. Be blessed by all the beautiful memories you have. PS You raised a great daughter :-)
Isn't it frustrating having to learn new technology? It's so hard for a person to keep up. You just get one thing figured out and out comes the next greatest 'got to have it' thing. I believe the 'art' and joy of talking on the telephone (remember those ol' things???) has been lost! :( Ha!
Enjoy your new cell ~ hopefully your son will text you on it lots! Though I must admit ~ I do enjoy our webcams on the computers/lap tops when one of us is away! :)
Have a fantastic week Lin!
xo Catherine
A great photo! And as well, it embodies the concept of technology that I can grasp.
At what age...? I can't tell you. For me it was so long ago I can't remember.
I refuse to text. Not gonna happen. New technology - love it until it becomes ridiculous. You have a f**king phone in your hand - call and speak to a person for craps sake. Tho I must admit a text can be appropriate at times - like the multi-tasking person I had a lunch date with - she texted me that she would be delayed because she was on a conference call! 15 years ago I would have killed for an iPhone - now - don't care, I don't live that life style anymore - but I do love my iPad!
I'm going to email you some reality bites about college kids and calling home and skyping.
We have Skype, but we usually just use it to talk to our friend in Korea. I did a virtual presentation to his upper level English classes on being a female firefighter via Skype, and I was amazed at how clear and real-time it was; none of that annoying delay I remember from landline international calls where you'd end up interrupting whoever you were talking to because you didn't realize they said something until it was too late.
I don't find myself complaining about technology YET, but I do find myself thinking "Why is everything so SMALL?" Which means I may have to abandon my snazzy rectangular frames someday soon for something that will accommodate BIFOCALS.
Crap.
I'm so sorry to hear about Bailey.
I've seen a couple of very elderly kitties over the rainbow bridge and it is very hard.
I guess when you admit this on your blog that your not a complete idiot anymore OR everyone knows?!! We got a new cell plan back in May and it took me a few months to figure my smart phone out. Yes, it's smarter than me!!
I was just thinking this same thing the other day...when did I become an old fogey when it comes to technology?!?!?!
I still have an old cell phone, It doesn't even have one of those fancy cameras on it.. Now that is sad when you call a Cell phone old.. What is the world coming to.. Hope you have a wonderful day!
~Linda
I still jump when I get a text. I have learned to text, but still look like a dork when I do so....
Aren't Betty friends the best?
What's a cell phone? Still don't own one and have no plans. Just when reading farther would lead to therapy, in rode G'ma Phyl to the rescue. Lin, you are blessed to have a momma like that.
So just how new-fangled is your new phone? What'd ya get? (I remember you had just gotten your old new-fangled phone when we had our second meet-up.)
Sorry to hear about Bailey. It's hard to lose a beloved member of the family.
Unfortunately my job depends on me keeping up on all new fangled technology (and I get tired of it) I just don't have the excitement for it anymore.
Plus I watched my husband have a meltdown last night because some app did not load correctly on his fancy watch that syncs with his PC so he can see how many calories he burns when he swim. (sigh)
Oh, Lin, how nice to know there's another cell phone-phobe out there! I still have the antiquated old square model from years ago that I keep in my purse for car emergencies and virtually never even turn on. I may have charged it twice since I got it. My daughter has a new iPhone4 and makes fun of me daily.
I don't text.
I am very sorry about Bailey but once I read kidney failure I knew....
Hugs to your mom.
I am horrible at texting but what makes it hilarious is the responses I get from people when they get my confused messages.
Hope you get the hang of it soon. Skype is pretty cool. We've been able to chat with my daughter that way and I love seeing her.
Just this morning I tried to answer a call on my cell (that I got a month or so ago) and missed the call because I couldn't figure out how to answer it. So you aren't alone on the new technology thing.
There has got to be a Cellphone for Dummies book out there somewhere with my name written all over it! I am hopeless....I am getting better with understanding my phone, but I still get confused....UGH! :)
First, so sorry about Bailey. That is eventually why my kitty, whisky died. I think it might be why a lot of kitties pass...
As to the phones. You know - I have the phone thing down, bring them on but I've got a new dvd player that I can't for the life of me, set up. For weeks now. I dont even know why I cant, and once it's set up so I can play dvds, I wont be able to set the time or have it record so... I don't know what that says because that technology has been around forever.
Embrace the technology! You will get it straightened out and then you will love it.
Smartphones are the one technological advancement that I've resisted. Guess it's because everywhere we go people are looking at their phones texting. At Disneyland we saw entire families each texting on their own phones and not talking to their own group! Weird! But, in your case, it's a great way to stay in touch with Col while he's at school so I'd learn it for that!
I've been thinking of G'ma Phyl and Bailey. Sending her my thoughts!
Moments before mass was about to begin yesterday (we're in an older parish) an usher came up to the podium and announced "there is a taurus in the parking lot, with the engine still running".
What was notable was no one laughed, or even rubber necked to see who the dummy was. It was as if they all knew the routine, and understood. Fran's Dad
I'm generally on top of technology. At the rock magazine, where I was senior editor in the early 1990s, I was the first person to go on the internet (that was 1993). That said, I was probably the last person I knew to get a smart phone, or any type of cell phone at all, but that's because I never talk on the phone! I do text more than I talk - it seems like every time I call someone they are not answering, so I might as well just text.
Skype is great. When Brian was on tour through Europe at the beginning of the year, we pretty much lived on Skype webcam - we were in contact nearly every day and it cost us zilch! However, I somehow doubt Colin will be in touch quite as frequently as Brian and I were. ;-)
Sad about Bailey. My first cat I had as a relative adult (I say relative because I was about Colin's age) died at the age of 18 of renal failure. It's all too common for senior kitties to succumb to it.
Ah ha, I would have been laughing hysterically at the Granny, and I fear upgrading my old phone for much of the same reasons. I'm fine with a laptop, but phones? Forget it!
I'd like to think Bailey is hanging out at the Rainbow Bridge with my old man cat, Meems. Sometimes I wish they could live forever alongside us. :(
I don't use Skype, dont see the point really when there is IMing and email and what not. I'm not that big of a talker anyways. I love my blackberry and refuse to give it up - I'm the epitome of technology or just a sad failed attempt at it lol
Violet--I actually like texting, but figuring it out on the new phone took a bit of practice. My poor friend, Betty!
Helene--I have free internet access on my phone for a month, and while I swore I wouldn't use it, I found myself having a blast at the dr.'s office with it. Sure passed the time quickly!
Catherine--I sort of like texting and not talking on the phone, but I do agree with you on the new technology. I no sooner figure out one phone and the kids want me to get a new one. Why? I ask. They just look at me. Sigh. It's good to know I am not alone.
Vanilla--It's amazing that I can do this computer thing, Vanilla. Really. We can be outdated together. :)
Grace--I like it for picking up the kids. It's usually loud on the other end of the phone and I can't hear them anyway. Texting saves me from that.
Jodi--Yeah, I need some pearls of wisdom, Jodi. I may need a LOT of pearls this year. :)
Shieldmaiden--I really notice how far behind on technology I am because the kids are up on it so much. I'm sure I'll be happily oblivious when they grow up and move out.
Diana--Hee! Hee! It's crazy trying to set it up and figure it out. And the book isn't really helpful--you sort of just have to figure it out! Ugh.
Melodie--It sneaks up on you, doesn't it??! I'd have no idea but the kids know all the cool new stuff. Someday I won't know what I'm missing and maybe that is a good thing.
Linda--I would gladly hold onto my old basic phone, but the technology moves beyond it rendering it useless. It's all a giant scam to get my money and make me look stupid. It's working.
Betty--Every time I type your name, I think of my friend Betty--who is an absolute hoot and a ton of fun! It must be the name. :) I like texting, but I'm guilty of typing out whole words still. It drives my kids NUTS!
Chuck--The sole reason I have a phone and texting is to communicate with the kids. There are no pay phones anymore for kids to call for a ride or to report where they are. I don't even give my number out to friends--it is strictly for my immediate family. So, you didn't like the diaper story???! ;)
Lola--I don't think it is super fangled or anything, it's a Gravity T. But still, I have to get used to those buttons again. Sigh.
Highway--Man, you guys are HIP! I'm impressed and a tad bit jealous of your tech abilities. ;)
Patricia--I sort of like the new features on the new phones, but I'm with you on wanting to hold onto the clunker. It's just so much effort!
Pricilla--I only text to communicate with my kids. I actually prefer that to calling them on the cell, believe it or not. Much easier to get them to answer! Thanks for the hugs for mom. She was overwhelmed with the kindness you all showed her.
Chocolate--Joe is like that too--he can't text for the life of him! He pretty much responds "K" for everything. It cracks us up!
Ann--Hahaha! That is SO me! I'm texting the wrong people, missing calls, etc. It's frustrating, yet hilarious.
Tracy--Yeah, poor Bailey lived a long life, but it still hurts to let them go. Some of those DVD players are hell to figure out! We've got one that is crazy to record on. I've messed that up too many time to count and now I just miss my shows or watch them on the internet.
Stephanie--Really?? Are you good at that stuff? I'm jealous, pally.
Beaded Tail--I don't talk to anyone on my cell except my kids and Joe. I won't give it out to anyone because of that reason. I really hate when I see a mom pushing a stroller and talking on her cell. She should be talking to her child!!! Ugh. Thanks for the thoughts for my mom--it means so much!
Fran's Dad--That is hilarious! Apparently it happens all the time, eh?
Janiss--Bailey didn't really suffer in the end, he just sort of slowed down a lot. It was really sad, though. Your kind words help Mom feel consoled--thanks. I like texting for that reason--you can send a message anytime, sorta like email. I'm looking forward to trying Skype. I think it will encourage him to "call" us while the newness is still there.
Storm--You are the ONLY person who commented on the granny! I thought it was hilarious too. :) I'm thinking I've got a whole freaking zoo at that Bridge! I'm gonna look like Dr. Doolittle when I get there!
Blueyes--I like email and texting, but if Skype gets my kid to "call" me from college, then I'm all about it. It would be nice to see him too. Gees, I'm gonna miss him.
I didn't know how to text until quite late and when I did, I started to participate in those SMS contests and that's when I won the Chevy, remember? But I hate to learn new stuff and now that my trusty washing machine died on me, I'm so not loving the idea of getting a new one and learning how to use all those buttons. It'll take me a lifetime to learn.
after grabbing the cell phone instead of the bar of soap yesterday...i too am in a major learning curve with this new contraption i've got. maybe one day i'll figure it out.
so sorry to hear about bailey. definitely out of his pain and suffering now...having a ball across the rainbow bridge :)
Yep that internet access (not just wifi) is what I hate to give up. Expensive but fun when out and about.
Your mom is so sweet. I'm sorry Bailey had to go. I know the sorrow. XOX
And BOY OH BOY do I sympathize about the cell phone!!! I think they make those things purposely complicated. I can configure networking equipment, html coding, rip apart VCRs and wire my own home... but cell phones completely baffle me. I hate them.
Veronica--I don't really change all the settings on the washer and dryer, so it didn't take too long to learn our new one. I think there is more on there that most people use. Silly, isn't it?
Roschelle--I do like the new phone--it just took a few days. Honestly though, I think it is easier than the old one to use. Hooray!
Helene--I'm getting hooked on that, Helene. Ugh. I think I may be adding that charge to the phone.
Rebecca--Oh, that html coding!! UGH. I feel so dumb half the time! Now, I do have to say that my new phone is a lot easier to learn than the old one. Hooray!
Ok...I'm not quite yet 30, but still freak out when I have to get a different phone. They are stressful because we depend so heavily on them! Good luck with the mastery!
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