Don’t get me wrong; I realize how important technology is in our day-to-day lives. I also realize that as a software engineer, staying up-to-date with technology is just a bit (understatement) important. However, I’m also pretty sure that one day I will be that stubborn old lady who refused to learn anything new and now has no idea how to function in an ever evolving technological society.
Case in point: when I was in high school, I had a TI-86 calculator. One day, it disappeared (I swear to this day that it must have been stolen, but most likely I was carelessly scatter-brained as usual) and I had to get a new calculator. By this point, the TI-89 had come out, and it was far superior to its predecessors. Despite being completely aware of this fact, I refused to get anything but another TI-86, because it was familiar and I knew how to use it. This mindset is sure to get me in trouble when I inevitably get left in the dust someday.
And don’t even get me started on social media. I use facebook in order to keep up with old friends that I’m too lazy to call and obtain pictures from people that I’m too lazy to hassle. I don’t understand why anyone (except for celebrities) would have a twitter account, because – honestly – who really cares what I’m doing at any given moment. Snapchat? Pinterest? Tumblr? I’ve heard of them, but I have never once used them.
I share these anecdotes simply to set the stage for the technical difficulties I have already had on this trip (namely with my phone) and the fact that I have had to reluctantly re-evaluate my position on some social media outlets.
For starters, I have managed to break the screen of my phone 3 times within a 14-month period. The first time happened only 10 days after I bought it. It wasn’t until I shattered the screen a second time that I got around to buying a case for it. By this time, it was too late, because a shoddy screen repair left the glass cover slightly loose – something I didn’t notice until weeks later. As a result, the connection to the digitizer slowly worked its way loose, until I started seeing lines on my screen about a month ago. However, it wasn’t until the day we left for our trip that the screen started blacking out altogether. If I pushed on the top right-hand corner of the screen, it sometimes made it usable (but was a pain to do for extended periods of time).
A few days later, even the screen-push stopped working. There were occasional instances where you could read the screen, but now the right-hand side wasn’t working. Being in no hurry to get reconnected to society, I managed minimal contact using Siri to call or send texts. When I finally got around to fixing it (about a week later), I decided it was time to invest in one of those unbreakable phone cases. They had one available for 50% off, because it is an ‘unpopular color’, and since I certainly don’t care about the appearance of my phone, I immediately bought it. No way am I breaking that screen yet again.
My newly fixed phone with its ugly – but durable – new case
While planning to take this extended road trip, I realized that there was no way that I would be able to keep everyone updated on our adventures. I knew that starting a blog was going to be a necessity. In order to make it more interesting, I decided to learn Javascript, html, and CSS in order to personalize it as much as possible while expanding my programming repertoire. The only problem? The moment I finished the programming side of it, I realized that I would have to write content, and that sounded decidedly less interesting. This is how I know that I chose the profession.
In a culmination of facing my social-media-phobias, I reluctantly joined Instagram today (my handle is thewaywardclimber, because someone already has waywardclimber). It’s hard for me to update the blog immediately after something happens and the blog is focused more on content than pictures. Instagram allows people to keep up with us right when something happens and see where we are. As much as I am reluctant to introduce social media into my peaceful moments in nature, I can see the benefits. And in case you thought that the banner photo had nothing to do with this post, think again… it’s my first ever Instagram post!
It’s ironic to me that in taking a trip like this, I am able to feel separate from the shackles of technology and social media, feeling free to go without internet for days or not caring when my phone is broken for a week. However, at the same time, I am forced to become a more active participant in social media than I ever was before, because there’s no way I can keep everyone up to date on this trip without it.
I concede.
Our 1500 Watt charger motherboard
I had this same problem! When I blogged my trip 4 years ago, my blog would always lag behind current events, sometimes by weeks. Glad you found a solution!
You guys are so amazing! The Van is incredible. But most of all, you are both learning so much a bout Life & each other, it has to strengthen your relationship. Lauren, I am getting to know you through your fears, thought processes & accomplishments, your ability to express yourself thru this website is very special. I cannot wait for the next update, I think you must publish a book for other ” Wayward climbers” to read! I am so exited for the both of you! I pray that you both “survive this experience”. John has found someone other than his twin to share his Life with! John knows how much I love him and want the best for him! And it appears he has found it!!!!
John will tell you how he puts up with my silliness, sorry for my rambling.