Yes, finally! I have my corner of the world back. This is the space where “The Real Life Corner” started. Situated between the family room and the kitchen, it splits the difference between the TV and the fridge. A convenient place for a surgically repaired right knee and a jealeous left one.
A year ago this space became prime real estate for children out of school and a wife working from home. Consequently I found other places to think and write, namely my music room and the spare bedroom. Well, the music room was annexed by the children and the bedroom was claimed by the wife as “her” office. Oh, okay…..
It took a year but the transition is nearly complete. The bedroom is actually an office, OUR office. The long awaited desk is here. Her company issued equipment arrived so I get my “music laptop” back. Life is getting better.
Last year I asked for this as a Christmas gift on Day 19. Another late arrival, but thankful nonetheless.
Now, the question is how do I get my music room back? Maybe I’ll mention the garage as bait and see if amyone will want to move out there……..
At the start of the New Year I posted an article titled “Something New” in which I revealed my desire to fully embrace modern technology. Don’t get me wrong, I appreciate the wonder, capability and convenience of it, but I’m the kind of person that likes to get the most out things. Couple that with the fact that I can adapt to my environment too comfortably (and a I don’t spend a lot of money on myself) and you soon realize that the “latest and greatest” usually is not a priority for me.
However, over time a person’s priorities can change, or evolve so to speak. Our daily lives are so dependent on and integrated with technology and artificial intelligence that we’d literally struggle to survive without it.
Which brings us to the Samsung Wireless Earbuds pictured above. I would not have imagined that something so simple, so non essential, could impact my life so positively.
January 8th is my birthday. Around that time I was having dinner with my family and I casually (and sarcastically) reminded them of the gifts that I had not received for my birthday, one being a set of wireless ‘buds. My son and his girlfriend were there and had a good laugh as I rattled off a long list of items that would “bring me into the 21st Century”. Lo and behold, a couple of days ago they handed me my first set of wireless earbuds.
Not being tethered to my phone has added time to my life. I can now simultaneously listen to music while getting other things done. Walk away from my phone. Eat. All good stuff. One thing tbough. When lying down listening to music I get so comfortable without the wires that I easily fall asleep with earbuds in and phone on the floor. I’m startled out of my unintended nap by some random song or ad playing continuously. Hey, no one said adapting to modern technology was gonna be easy……
So there it is. Another step toward living on the “technology” edge. New wireless earbuds. My S10 Plus connecting to my JBL Charge. Thanks to my birthday angels I’ve achieved a new milestone. 2021 is off to a great start!
Ah snow. Snow and I have a complicated relationship. It’s been this way for some time going back to my childhood. I’ve accepted Snow for what it is and even tried to like it, but for some reason or another we just cannot find common ground.
When Snow and I first met we hit it off pretty good. I was an adolescent, spending my winter days either in a school classroom or at home doing homework as I recall. Snow was a blessing, a welcomed companion who provided days off from school. A good friend indeed. Snow days allowed all the community kids to enjoy sledding down “the hill” as opposed to staring out of their classroom windows. At night we’d faux “ice skate” on the creek that ran behind some of the homes, too much fun to be had as this was usually a coed activity….Our parents often wondered how we could stay out so long and late without getting cold…….😉!
As well as being a good friend, Snow was a good motivator, at least for me. When the forecast predicted Snow my peers would be ecstatic, happy for the anticipated time off from school and another day to put off homework. I, for reasons I yet can explain, hated the predicted Snow. I dreaded hearing it. I would do ALL of my homework just in case Snow decided not to show up. I’d be ready either way.
See what I mean? I enjoyed Snow after it arrived but did not enjoy hearing its impending arrival. You know, its like we had to alter our entire existence just because “Snow” said so. Still rubs me the wrong way. Furthermore, I love the Spring and every Snow day seemed to push Spring back accordingly. This was not good for me mainly for two reasons: one, Spring gave me super powers. Whatever I could do during the other seasons I could do three times as much during Spring. If you don’t believe me just ask my parents who made me do three times as much work during Spring compared to the other seasons. Reason two: GIRLS! As a young boy there was NOTHING more beautiful or desirable than Spring time and seeing the lovely young ladies dressed in their Spring time finest. And Snow was not gonna get in the way of that I didn’t care HOW many days we got off from school. As a point of emphasis to show how much power the Spring gave me I’ll share this with you: my kids were born in January and February. Do the math…….
As we’ve matured through the years Snow and I have developed a deeper understanding of our relationship. I can now admit that Snow has a certain inner beauty, it is not just a “convenient superficial friend who gives me things”. And Snow has accepted me for who I am, a middle-aged man with specific expectations.
Watching Snow fall is theraputic for me. Snow inspires me to be introspective, inspires me to write, inspires me to think. In return I give Snow its respect, I allow it to share my space, I don’t curse its’ existence. Snow appreciates why I prefer a job that has a liberal leave policy, not one where I was deemed “essential” and therefore had to get to work early during a Snow fall. Yes, we’ve come a long way Snow and I.
But, for the life of me I still cannot understand why Snow has to be so egocentric, so cold weather dependent. Snow is also a media hog! The arrogance! Such a diva! And when will it ever learn to clean up after itself? Man I hate shoveling!
“Social media”. Who wants to “talk” to people via a computer? Why would anyone pick up a “telephone” to “write” a message? Lol! I vividly recall having these questions as conversation pieces with friends and coworkers some years ago, mid 90s maybe…. Amazingly some of these folks were Computer Science majors and IT students. For real! As for me, I could have never seen myself wasting time “texting” somebody when I could “simply pick up the phone and call them”. Well……
February 2021. Through the wonders of social media I recently had the pleasure of “talking” to all of my best friends simultaneously even though they happen to live in different states and countries.
Social media often receives negative publicity for being a vehicle for those with not so good intentions. That’s fair. On the other hand look at the bright side. Look at how connected we are to those whom we wish to communicate. Family and friends are just a “follow” or “friend” or “tweet” or “pin” or “channel” away. I know, that was a lot.
I’m glad I finally warmed up to texting, and social media too for that matter. Simple thing, but isn’t it funny how using a resource for good can promote good. Yep, despite being a prime destination for many things undesirable, social media does in fact have a bright side.
Finally. Got my S10 Plus to connect to my JBL Charge! A year in the making. I can reclaim MY portable speaker from my family of iPhone snobs.
Last year I asked for this very thing for Christmas. I created a “25 Days of Christmas” list and on Day 11 I wished for my phone and speaker to communicate with one another. I tried everything, or so I thought. This past weekend I went to purchase a new speaker and decided to research further as I couldn’t make up my mind.
In the meantime I decided to reach out to JBL and Samsung for help. After being told that I may have software compatibility issues it was suggested that I go ahead and try a new speaker. I asked customer service if they had experienced any other speaker/phone combinations having similar issues and they had not.
Just before ending the call the tech asked if I had ever reset my speaker. I had not. So I did. Merry Christmas! The “beautiful sound of hi def digital music playing through a Bluetooth portable speaker”! (I still prefer analog. Translation for the uninitiated: vinyl record on a turntable)
I am very grateful for this “Christmas” gift even if it arrived a little late. Maybe there is a chance for the other 24 on the list after all.
The Real Life Corner 