Technology and Toys

So about 3 years ago or so I was pretty technologically bare. I didn't have a cell phone, had no computer or internet service. My desktop died and I never got around to replacing it and if I really needed the internet I went to my local public library. I also had no cable TV. That didn't matter much to me though for the most part because I had other things to keep me happy. I painted, hung out with friends and also was busy at one point working full time and going to school.

Then I started getting things. I got cable TV and internet because due to ownership change where I worked I got them for free. Before they were discounted but because I would have used the services so little (due to being in school while working) I didn't think it was worth me paying even a discounted rate. But free... free is good. The TV service includes 3 hookups, 1 basic, 1 standard digital box and 1 DVR digital box. The internet is a standard 10x1 mbps service, fairly speedy. After that I got a cell phone because it was just so much more convenient, and because of my Time Warner affiliation I get 20 - 25 % off my bill with AT&T. For awhile I didn't use my own internet service (my brother did) because I didn't have a computer still. I changed that by buying a laptop (which I am blogging on now!) and a wireless router. Mmm surfing the internet while laying in bed... So now I have 3 laptops... 2 I bought second hand from a co-worker who fixes computers on a side job. I have an old Mac iBook just so I could play around with one (hey it was only $60.00) and an IBM Thinkpad clone by Lenovo which my brother uses now that his desktop is kaput. Add to that collection of tech a spiffy digital camera (see my previous blog post) and a 500 GB portable HD (to store all my photos on) and now suddenly I have a decent amount of tech... I don't have a current game console though... oh wait I lied.... my friend gave me a free XBox 360. I don't have much time for video games though right now. Plus the 360 is just really being set aside til I get a house so I can get Rock Band II (III if it's out by then) for it.

That's all good and fine but I feel I am still fairly grounded though. TV I only watch once in awhile, I record my shows on DVR and then once a week watch a few hours or so of House, Bones etc... I do spend a fair amount of time online, but am cutting down on wastefully being online. Yes I have productive reasons for being online... So I wouldn't say tech has swallowed up my life like some people. Rather it has enhanced my life experience especially since without it I wouldn't have had a particular experience (or series of experiences) and met a certain special someone. More on that later though...