Technologically irrelevant.

Sometimes it pays to be on the wrong side of the technologic curve. I have two ipods and still can't really figure out how to dial them in or integrate them into my life. I think that we are about to give up the land line, who needs them anymore? How would you like to be the guy who kept all that pay telephone stock?


We still have a closet full of VHS tapes, I see that there are easy ways to digitize them and may get around to it someday. Not having television reception, nor wishing to have it, it frees me from Slingboxes, DVR's, Tevo's and a whole bunch of other electronics that I have managed to live without for all these years.


Still can't see a need for an ipad, the weight of my MacbookPro hasn't become so great that I need a slimmed down machine. So I can't stay connected in bed. Horrors. Do they have a waterproof model you can take in the shower yet so that you can always stay connected?


We did buy a fancy italian toaster but I can't say it has really changed my life. Being majorly fiscally deficient, I don't crave any new gadgets although a micro nikkor macro lens would be a sweet addition to my lens arsenal. But it can wait. Kerry J. thinks I should step up to a better camera now. I learned on a cheap twin lens rollie, I did fine in Africa with a cheap Konica and I am proud of the work I am capable of shooting with a kiddie level consumer Nikon. I haven't touched a tenth of this camera's capabilities and honestly never will. Yes, I could get seduced into fast, sharp glass but probably won't ever be in the position to do so. No big.


I drive an old soccer mom Chrysler van and would probably buy another. Of course the automatic doors have long since stopped working and people look at me quizzically when I tell them that they will have to manually push down the door button with their actual finger. Does not compute. I thought that the Nissan Jute looked cool but have been informed that it was a car designed for adolescent girls. Might buy the cheapest small car I can find, damn the social cachet. Proudly show my downward mobility by driving a Fiesta.


I am not really a luddite. I just think that technology is a tool that should help you work or play but should be working for me rather than the other way around. And left alone if it is unnecessary. I shudder to think of all the money I would have to spend if forced to keep up with the more technologically savvy Jones'.


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Having said all that with my wordy preamble, I scored this morning. My buddy Deli Guy and his wife are taking a lengthy sabbatical. One way ticket to wherever, whenever. They are shedding, their home and a big chunk of their possessions. Mid age wanderlust, grab the gusto one more time while still in shape to have near maximum fun. Yippee!


Their daughter has everything on her ipod and cd's, those crusty relics, are now expendable. I received, through their kind largesse, for free, the 14 album Dylan box set and Biograph, the three record compilation. Although I prefer vinyl, I am not ashamed to still listen to those historical artifacts, CD's. Thank you, Deli Guy.

The other score, although a temporary loan from K. , is the little green apple at left. Pull the stem and out pops a USB drive with the complete Beatles discography and a mess of Beatles video. Can't figure out a way to put it on my own drive, believe that it is internally copy protected but love the product and the packaging. Thank you K. Sorry to have to return it. 

Bank of America just called or one of their foul proxies. For 15 dollars, I can either receive (pick) a life insurance plan so that they can be covered if I croak, a credit monitoring plan and some other similar junk that I now forget. I clenched my jaw and teeth and said "Listen, I don't want to try anything and I don't want to have to opt out. Do not, do not, I repeat, opt me in, do you understand me?" She recoiled in horror and I hung up. 


Having been screwed by Verizon, B of A and various other corporations who you would think would be somewhat ethical because of their size and position, I find that the opposite is usually true these days.  Who added insurance to my cell phone plan, Verizon? The insurance I told you I didn't want. Well Mr. Sommers, it's your job to check your statements. It is all so tiring. Not going postal but might go amish soon.