I have to pause from time to time, because I too have been one of those who found the internet, the social network, and computers themselves as an addiction that used to intrude on actual activities and events.  To start pointing out the problems with texting being done while driving, or the need to know what is happening on the social network has to be reproached by my own experiencing, and even recalling that I too would sit in front of a computer when there was chores and work to be done. So understand that I am not accusing or expressing fault in how one interacts with technology, fore I was also where so many are now. For me, it took time to ask myself, “what am I doing?”, and suggest when real life activities will be restored as part of my lifestyle.

From The Start To Now

For me, the curiosity of the Internet and computers was not what it can tell me, but what I could do with it. Later, I would ask myself, “Now, how can I use it in my daily activities?” And, like so many today, unless it can actually be applied to a work lifestyle, learning how to include technology into my day to day life, rather than needing to treat it as a separate activity still is an exercise that needs constant improvising and self reflection. The only difference between when I started out with computing, and the young individuals who seem entranced or slaved to these devices, is that I started out with a laptop and desktop, where it was work to just figure out what I wished to do, rather than a device with downloadable apps, that come so instantly, and take away from making time for it.

My elders find even desktops something that is a separate entity, where time needs to be scheduled for it, so other things can get done. It goes without saying that my elders seemed more prone to adapt to the cellphone with apps, and maybe because they can call on it. Still, they don’t apply the use of planning events or schedules on their calendar apps, nor show interest in searching for local events or businesses in the current location, by the mapping apps. Still, it is just a cell phone to them.

For me, in the beginning, even the Office software, such a documents, spreadsheets, and presentations had me deep in thought and worlds away from reality, trying to envision what my expectations would be. So, everyone goes through this learning curve of what has been addressed as an addiction, and for some, they cannot get passed the games and social networks, and advance to using the devices for real time activities (like the calendar, map, alarm, etc.). Emails are something I still need to make a habit to include in my daily activities, without it interfering with the real activities and timely work I am tasked with. I am still learning how to “switch gears”, from getting online to check my email, pay bills, and schedule activities when the truck is off, and again, “switch gears” when the trailer is unloaded or loaded, and it is time to roll. I never really tried to multi task…except for that learning curve with mapping programs. But I did get deeply involved with what I was doing online, struggling to complete rather than putting it down and continuing late. In contrast, after getting docked or at the end of the day, I just saw it, like my elders, a project that wasn’t worth starting…because it felt like it would become a project.

Referring back to multitasking, you have to recall that I started out with a laptop(no smartphones as of yet), and a desktop. My fascination with Instant messaging was similar to everyone’s need to know what is being posted, but again, I owned a laptop and a desktop, while everyone only had a desktop. Not everyone was messaging, and like me and my elders, needed to make time to sit in front of the keyboard and screen, to see what is new. For a time I did buy a smartphone, and quickly realized that I was not keeping up with my projects on the computer. So, the smartphone is no more. From time to time, I do wish I could have one, because like I had written, the smartphone is ready to go, while the computer is not left on while not being used; so it is kind of a hassle to startup the computer if it is only going to be used for a short and interrupted period of time.

Distractions Comes With Different Meanings

Just before continuing this blog, a group of people walked in to my room of solitary, and I started to listen to them, and even replying back, rather than just stay focused on where I was intending to go next with this blog. It is one thing to wait until I could find a new hiding spot, but that defeats where I am hoping to be when it comes to including computers in my everyday life. I see others able to draft a document on a bus, or in the park, while I am distracted by the diverse activities that surround me. In contrast, others are not so self aware, and multitasking, such as texting and driving, and accidents are bound to occur. And, it is just not driving. We all have seen or heard news of people walking into trees or other objects with severe and tragic results.

I actually thought my issues of easily distracted in my texting may have much to do with being such an extravert. But does that make others introverts? All I know is that one way or another, it has not only become an awareness that there are issues with technology included in life, but the struggle to make it an exercise to become “self aware” that it is happening, and train ourselves to know how to separate, without divorcing ourselves from devices and opposing the life around us. Maybe it is in how we train ourselves to make time periods, and in my case, stay with my train of thought. Those people are still here, and not only am I trying to stay with the blog, but I have been aware of the ongoing changing topics of conversation they were having. It is multitasking, and it felt so involuntary.

Calendar and Scheduling

      I still remember being in school, and the classes seemed to be 40 minutes each, we called periods. I sometimes got lost in the class activities, and it was the bell that told me this session or period was over, and it was time to go down the halls to my next class. Now, the only bell I set up on a regular basis is the alarm clock for sleeping. In truck driving, there are time limits for how long you can drive before needing a break, calling it a full work day, and when I could start to drive a new work day (or period). But it is not done by alarm setting (like the school bell). Even in the beginning, I did start setting planned billing periods, with the alarm set, but when the alarm went off, I was involved in something else, and I turned off the alarm, and carried on, without making that bell a priority, like the bell ringing in school.

Then there are times, I make an appointment, but I write on a notepad, rather than instinctively opening that calendar…I mean it is always available. I Skype [phone call] on the same computer the calendar I use for scheduling is on, and still, I pull up that notepad or note program. Recently, I also realized that I used to use various programs, and it is still taking time to narrow all my collection of thoughts and planning to just one. But I am aware of it, and now the calendar need to become something I instinctively use in place of those notes…along with making use of the alarms, and reacting to those same alarms with priority and importance.

It’s About Self Awareness…and Timing

I think that this blog has become more favorable because much of the issue was self reflecting as opposed to many discussions directly pointing towards others. As a geek, I am aware that my interests even in social networking was ahead of the affordable capabilities of many, so I was indeed online with the messenger open, but with so little interaction. By the time social networking and smartphones became a part of life, I was already past that point, and including life as the priority, while working on my concept of switching gears. I am sure if I was not so much of a geek, and my timing was not ahead of that social change, I would be right there with so many others learning how to advance on this new exercise I wrote as self awareness.

Again, just writing this blog, I have come self aware that I still have so much more to improve upon (or dismiss) such as the alarm and scheduling. Much of my real struggle has been making the routine for this blog. I wish I could finally make it a priority, perceive it as a chore, and focus on improving that it will become a part of my everyday life.

My Beginnings

I started out wide eyed with how I could make the computer and all of its functions a part of my life. I first started with becoming mobile (with a laptop many years ago). Wi-Fi capability through a “Mi-Fi” was still just becoming a social interest. Then there were those Office programs. Somehow, it was the economic depression that lead me into trucking, with the vision of developing programs for trucking as a theme. I was fascinated by the hundreds of other programs and apps that were already being developed. I was obsessed with needing to try them. A select few became part of that lifestyle included in my everyday work life.

Now, the computer is my office, and the truck a shelter and extension, that holds the printer and scanner. My Office continues to be used to develop my projects, answer and make telephone calls, conference meetings, pay bills, and submit job sheet of completed work. Through My Fax, it is my facsimile, and my file server. It is my typewriter, my video system, and yes, the social network. And I have not reached my fullest potential of making this machine a full aspect of my everyday life.

A Future of Possibilities

The project mentioned was geared towards trucking, but I still need to work on projects that include videos on a regular basis, and developing my writing as an everyday occurrence. Blogging needs to hold a place routinely. Then, there is my new hobby…drones. Yes, I started my hobby months before now, and my awareness of registration  and my experiences and possibilities for Unmanned Aircraft (UAC) is just getting started! So, you ask, what about trucking? Well, if you look at the periods in between these blogs, it is indeed because toilet paper always needs to be delivered someplace else.