August 24, 2010

Am I too plugged in...?


While packing for a quickie 3-day business trip this week, I pulled together my suits and ties and art gallery cuff links and polka dot socks, and then got to the important stuff I needed to take with me, my gizmos and gadgets.

And while organizing my crap to pack, a giant light bulb appeared above my head, more of a thought bubble really, with this line of thought:

How the hell many gadgets and gizmos do I effing need? Am I too wired? Too intravenously online? Too hooked on the buzz of connecting with people through high speed wireless connections?

What I brought with me:
1- laptop and cord
2- blackberry and charger (work)
3- iPhone and charger (mine)
4- iPod and charger (for running)
5- Kindle and charger
6- electric razor and batteries.
6.5- and I forgot the digital camera I was supposed to bring for work to take pictures of display set-ups (oops...).

I mean, for someone who doesn't travel with sex toys, this seems like a lot, doesn't it?

And this list doesn't included the GPS in my car, which I drove to the airport.

Now I am not claiming to travel light --- am Jewish and gay, people --- but I have to wonder how typical this is. Are we too wired for our own good? Are we addicted to technology? Can we be entertained without a modem? Are we just hooked on toys or the next new thing whatever it is? Uh, is it just me?

I think it's probably not just me. We probably are too wired. Ah, screw it, I still want, need, lust for an iPad. Y'know, boys and their toys...

22 comments:

Stan in NH said...

Yes, we do need an ever increasing supply of digital tools. But we use them to work more efficiently, so we can have fun, too.
Enjoy your trip.

Ray's Cowboy said...

As I have told many othes.. if it makes you happy then you should. Everyone has someting that make them happy. it seems that these type of toys does it for you. Does it hurt anyone, i do not think so.. so go for it.
Ray

notquiteawake said...

I started reading this post thinking, "That is SO me. I really need to cut down," and ended the post thinking, "I WANT A KINDLE!" So, it doesn't look like I'm going to be cutting down anytime soon. If anything, I should really be striving to catch up. Thanks!

voice from the past said...

That's why I love to go camping.Okay its not really camping as we have a large trailer. Even with the trailer, the family does not bring computers (we have 4 laptops) video games (2 boys) and we do not have cable or satelite. The tv in the trailer is only used for the odd movie and that is only if we encounter a long stretch of bad weather other wise out come the games that families rarely use anymore.

Even the iphone I bring is used only to check the weather, for emergencies or for my wife to speak to her mother, but they cut down from 5 times a day to once.

It is amazing how leaving all the technology behind can be the most relaxing and stress releaving thing you can do. Suddenly there is no pressure, no time constraints and you can actually just sit back and do nothing.

It does not have to be in a trailer or even out in the woods, but try cutting yourself off every now and then. You would be amazed at just how enjopyable it can be.

Midwestern Mama Holly said...

I noticed the same thing recently when the DH and I went on vacation. We actually needed a separate small bag just for all of our gadgets. It's insane how we've become so dependent on them.

that girl said...

i had no idea there was such a thing as 'too plugged in'. this is new to me.

Kevin said...

Yes.

Jabacue said...

Yep!

Gigi said...

Yes, we probably too plugged in. But I love it. I only wish that we could just have one charger for everything.....

Wicked said...

Sounds like me leaving........for work each morning. :-)

Also, I, too, covet the iPad. Remember that Chrismukkah post? Yeah, that is what I want. Well, that and Eric, from Trueblood. A girl can dream, right?

Bucko (a.k.a., Ken) said...

That is a lot, just the laptop and blackberry for me.

Lauren said...

I can entertain myself with an elastic band... for extended periods of time. I kind of think that's more embarrassing. I'm not being dramatic either. I worked the door at my cousin's stag and doe. Got a little slow and I had an elastic.

Brahm (alfred lives here) said...

Okay the elastic band thing is truly funny. And impressive actually!

For better and for worse I am using all his stuff. And good thing for iTunes on the iPhone az the hotel has such a crappy radio in the room.

A coworker brought her iPad. I want one...

My Bottle's Up! said...

ha! you said it hun, "for someone who doesn't travel with sex toys..."

:)

in all seriousness, i think A LOT of us, myself included may be too plugged in. the few trips i have taken recently WITHOUT my laptop (GASP) have actually been very liberating and enjoyable.

vanita said...

i see absolutely nothing wrong with that list. but i gotta ask. why a Kindle, you have an iPhone.

Annie (Lady M) x said...

Nah. All that stuff is absolutely necessary. How awful would it be to get cut off with no internet? But Brahm.... what's with the polka dot socks? I always had you down as a bit of a style guru! Two things: 1. I can't believed you slipped it into your blog; and 2. I can't believe that everyone has glossed over it except me!! *wink*

Brahm (alfred lives here) said...

My polka dot socks are awesome! Grey with many dots of many colours. I love them. That was yesterday. Today is powder blue socks. Either high fashion or grandpa, not sure which.
and I find the iPhone too small read on. Hence the kindle...

marymac said...

Art gallery cuff links? Andddd this is why I love you. ;)

mariellenromer said...

Maybe not too plugged-in, but for sure, like many of us, suffering from a refusal by companies / countries / whohaveyous to agree standards and stick to them so that one charger DOES work for all. I've just traveled to and from the USA from UK. Bloody socket adapters for all the pieces that plugged in, to add to the pile. Not to mention chargers for camera batteries, (different format for batteries for same brand cameras made within 2 years of each other) and do not stay the same format either. Not funny.

Mike said...

I've considered investing in a Kindle, but haven't yet. I know what you mean, though. Travel usually involves at least my laptop/charger and iPhone. (I work for an IT company, and sometimes get called to fix things while on the go.) If it's a trip involving any kind of distance, we've usually got at least one digital camera as well.

Too wired? Nah! It's all wireless. :)

Kate said...

I know. It hit me the other day that I have now have three mobile devices on which to watch videos, three to check e-mail, two to read books...and too many chargers. Oh, and WAY too many digital random photos.

But I don't think I could give up any of it.

(Posted about my Kindle last night and thought of you.)

Annah said...

I'd say...

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