Over the years, changes in our lives have been continuous.
Some have made big differences in the way we live. The cell
phone is a good example. Before it arrived, there was no way
to call home and find out if a stop at the grocery store was
necessary unless you stopped at a pay phone. The cell phone
took care of that dilemma but before it arrived, we did not
have life-taking accidents caused by those driving while talking
on a pay phone.
Perhaps
in answer to fears of brain cancer, texting was added to
the cell phones capabilities. It only takes two thumbs to
text a complete message. You don’t need a pen or paper
but the problem is; you have to take your eyes off the road
to send some messages and to read any of them. I believe
very few people were ever injured while sending a written
message
from their desk.
Computers
are right up there when it comes to changes; believe it or
not, PCs have only been around since the late 1970s
when 48,000 were sold. Currently that number is over a
billion and
growing by the second. We were told the computer would
be a great time saver. It would be even a greater one if
we
only
knew where that saved time is. My wife just spent over
an hour trying to find out what medications should not be
taken
when
eating grapefruit. Google finally provided a list of all
possible medications and they were given in their chemical
name — not
brand names we recognize like; Advil, Tylenol, etc.
Note to Readers: if you are not aware of the possible dangers
of mixing your meds with grapefruit look it up or check with
your doctor. I am not being funny; I knew my blood pressure
med could not be taken when I ate grapefruit or grapefruit
juice, but did not know I had to skip it for two days. I was
also surprised to see some cholesterol medications listed to
avoid taking while enjoying your grapefruit.
The
Internet is of course the result of the computer use explosion,
which presents another big change. It
has definitely
hurt the
print business as newspapers and magazines are folding
all over the country. The post office is perhaps the
hardest hit service we use impacted by the growth of
the Web. As
we lose
more and more postal services, we will begin to recognize
just how valuable they were to us. There actually are
those who
still like to communicate with pen and paper using
skills (the first of the three R’s) we were told by
educators would be necessary to go through life.
Perhaps you may be one of those who enjoys sitting in a straight-backed
chair for hours on end to read the newspaper or a magazine,
but I am not. And, no, I do not want to sit with a laptop computer
in my lap either.
Another
item which has brought a big change (said to be a big asset)
to our lives is the GPS (global
positioning
system).
These systems vary in their ability and versatility.
Some
just
show a map and arrow pointing in the direction
you’re
supposed to turn. These provided some help, but if you came
to a detour you had a problem. Sometimes the system would correct
its mistakes or just show a U indicating you needed to U-turn.
Some systems give oral directions (ours is named Emily). They
too can be confusing. One time we are told: “Take the
next right turn.” Then we might be told: “Prepare
to turn right.” That right may be three or
four turns up ahead.
Not
to worry, if I make a wrong turn, Emily will say insistently: “Make
a U-turn when possible.” If Emily had not alerted me
to prepare to turn right I probably would not have made the
wrong turn. Why can’t they use a normal message, such
as “Turn right at the next street?”
Although
confusing at times, a GPS is helpful on trips. If you find
your fuel tank is almost
empty,
push the
right button
on the GPS and you learn where the next gas
station is located along with how many miles you need
to travel to reach it.
Some GPS systems will even tell you which brands
of gas — if
they feel like it. I once noted my tank was
low on the Pennsylvania turnpike and asked
the GPS
where
there was
a fuel station.
At the next exit I was told. I took it and then I traveled
10 miles down a country road. Now, I was sure I needed gas
and after I scared the chicken out of the driveway, I entered
the store to pay ahead as requested.
The counter person refused to take any of my credit cards,
even the one for the brand of gas they sold. I was told cash
only. I handed them a large bill and was told they could not
make change. I put five bucks in and continued down the country
road and got to a station just in time. After filling up, I
had to drive the 20 miles back to the turnpike. And, yes, the
very next exit five miles down the road had two fuel stations
and two restaurants. Thanks to my GPS, I had fueled up but
spent time and fuel doing so.
As I see it, if you rely on a GPS, also carry a map or pre-plan
your directions and stops just in case the GPS gets lost. Should
that happen, perhaps you can punch the right buttons and help
it find itself.
Erin
Go Bragh and Top O’ The Mornin’ to
Everyone!