It’s a brave new world
My nephew was telling me Christmas Eve that he uses his cellphone to turn on and off the Christmas display lights while he is away. I look at my husband and pray that he doesn’t take out his flip phone.
Are you having trouble keeping up with the technology world too? I recently bought a Mac Air because I wanted to sync my photos from my iPhone and use Apple TV to display the family album.
I used my iPhone to Google how to use the Mac Air. I wrote everything down on a little cheat sheet so maybe I can impress this know-it-all nephew. Of course I could use the microphone in the notes app to record the steps and then play it back, but my old brain still resides in the paper and pen generation.
My family was watching in fascination at my newfound retirement skills, and I choked under pressure. My photos hung in the cloud while my iTunes began to play Jack Johnson’s song, “Better when we’re together” But that song always makes me happy.
Most of us want to embrace technology, but we lack confidence and patience. The most important purchase to make is not the phone itself but the protective cover because you will hurl it against the wall when you can’t unlock your phone to begin with.
I have made huge progress in the last three years. I know that YouTube is not just for watching a kid with an extremely flexible neck or how to erase eye bags. I needed to install a car seat into the back of a vehicle for my granddaughter and I watched a YouTube video to learn how. Even more importantly, when I wanted to make a homemade pizza dough I watched a video before trying to throw the dough up into the air. I still ended up wearing it as a bracelet, but that was user error.
The most progress I made is using the website Snapfish to order photo Christmas ornaments for the grandchildren and their parents. Very cool and very easy. I got into trouble when I attempted to make a baby album, however, and it is still in the virtual mailbox called My Projects. My sweet neighbor Connie offered to help me, so I hope she is reading my column right now so she remembers her promise.
I love technology really because of the app titled whatsapp which allows me to communicate daily with my daughter and her wife in Spain. I love being able to Facetime with my granddaughter and my son and his wife on the computer. This is the best substitute ever for the real deal, and I will buy whatever app I need if it means I know what’s happening in their worlds.
No one makes phone calls. I don’t have a landline, and I don’t miss the sales calls. It is all about the texting. I have to admit it’s really more efficient. Don’t misunderstand me. Nothing substitutes real face time with family and friends, but this is the postcard of the last century.
I am writing this column on my new Mac Air (four pounds, people!) listening to this incredible song called “Laura” by artist Gregory Porter on an album called “Liquid Spirit.” Google him. He sounds a bit like Barry White, only more soulful.
We can spend our retirement days any way we choose. It’s a brave new world and a brand-new year!
Write to lgraff1979@gmail.com.
