I love and hate the Internet

Okay, so I am an admitted technophobe.

Of course, I have had to give in to my fears often and join this century. But there has been a general pattern for me with technology I've observed. Kind of like the grief process.
Denial. Anger. Bargaining. And a grudging sort of acceptance.

Growing up, my family was a step behind most. We were one of the last neighbourhood families to get cable. I think everyone had an answering machine before us, with me voting to be the very last hold out. I remember poking it suspiciously when we finally got one and plugged it in. After time I was won over, even doing impersonations for greetings on it. (My Dr Ruth Westheimer was a howler). But it was a very long process to get there.

I guess despite my Luddite tendencies, I am usually be won over by convenience in the end.

Still, I've only had a cell phone for 3 years, which I got when I needed it for work. Before this, I would argue with telemarketers offering me a free phone for a contract about the safety of microwave technology. (And no, nuking your head is not a good thing to me!). Understandably, it's not turned on, or even charged up most of the time. But I do have one.

So that brings us to the other wave of the future, the internet. I did not get on the internet until I was in my mid twenties or so. ( I am 37 now). All my friends were already on it. I would get so mad at companies offering website addresses I had no intention of visiting. But the writing was on the wall. This was the way of the future, and while I might rail against it, I would have to join or get left behind.

Of course, the grudging acceptance is actually closer to love in this case. I love what it can do. I love connecting with people and information in seconds. It confounds me and frustrates me, but when it works I love it. (And that's all it needs to do to make me happy. Work. I remember my Dad trying to show me stuff on the Mac as my eyes glazed over. Even now, I don't need to know how it works, I just want it too...lol.)

I remember my good friend author Mahalia Levey trying to coax me onto Yahoo chat, patiently explaining all the abbreviations used. So what's the problem? Now I can't get off it. Because there are too many ways to stay connected now. I have my site, my blog, myspace...don't get me started that I have my emails as me, and then ones as my writing alter ego. If I wanted to I could stay connected for 24 hours a day. And every time I turn around, there is a new exciting thing.

I can't look at Twitter yet.

So I love and hate the internet. It's part of the process I guess. A grudging sort of acceptance. I have to go and work on some blogs for Whipped Cream I have coming out in a few weeks. It's all part of it. And I like doing it, believe me. But the more I am on, the less I have time to do my romance writing.

Oh, the double edged sword! I think I will fall on it now :)

as Hales says, TTYL.