STONE AGE TECHNOLOGY: IT’S REALLY WHAT WE GET USED TO

A series of essays....

THIS SHOWER CURTAIN HAS POCKETS FOR EVERY PHONE AND TABLET!

Credit: Davison Video


....as seen through my eyes!






 
By: Jacqueline E. Hughes

I will be the first one to tell you that my cell phone is nearby me at all times, just in case someone calls or there happens to be an emergency. My i-Pad can be located either ‘at my fingertips’ (literally), on my desk, or on the end table that resides by my comfy corner of the leather couch where most of my Blog Posts are written. Most importantly, I am rarely seen without the current book I happen to be reading, whether in hard-bound or paperback form. And, I have been known to panic if it has been left behind for some unknown reason, even when making a visit to the dentist's office or to and from the grocery store only blocks away from the house!

Books are my life; books are that important to me! Consequently, when given the opportunity to lessen the inevitable ‘load’ of books we will be hauling up to Michigan in the next several months, I jumped on the bandwagon and filled as many boxes with my precious paper companions as possible. Dan, carefully, stacked them in the U-Haul trailer we pulled up to the ‘little yellow cottage’ on Hazel Avenue last weekend. 

Standing in our library in Orlando before leaving, I knew I’d only made a slight dent in the inventory that resides in that one room alone....and, still remained to be carefully nestled in their own cardboard carrying cases for the journey yet to come.

ONE BOOK AT A TIME....

I have written several previous stories about sitting across from strangers in the waiting area of a local restaurant where no one is communicating with one another via verbal discourse. My subjects have included a family of three and an unrelated young couple who may have been out on a Saturday evening date. Rather, the various devices held in their hands, with heads bowed in prayer to the gods of technology, were being revered as hymnals in the innocent hands of the choir section during Saturday evening mass. No one said a word to anybody for at least ten to fifteen minutes before the host appeared to say that their tables were ready. With a shuffle and/or bow they marched off to tables that would, probably, afford them a convenient resting place for their devices before their meals had a chance to arrive. 

"STRIKE A POSE"

Having visited the dentist every six months for more years than I care to count, toothbrushes appear to procreate and find shelter within various drawers, cubbies, and hidden spots throughout the house! Often, before I could say ‘no’ to the token of gratitude offered by the dental hygienist for not biting off one of her fingers, the colorful, bristled stick had already been inserted into a small plastic bag (displaying a larger than life picture of a sparkling, white tooth) where it played nice next to the dental floss and travel-sized tube of Crest toothpaste and ice blue mouthwash.

A few times, when I needed to get back into a very tight spot (behind faucets) to thoroughly clean, I’ve been known to wrangle one of these plastic treasures for the job! The color I would choose depended upon the mood I was in at the time and a white brush with vibrant lime green racing stripes might be just the ticket to a successful cleaning mission. 

Of course, this all came about due to the advent of the mighty ‘electric’ toothbrush that swirled and shimmied its way into our lives and mouths. The dentist relayed how they cleaned better than hand-brushing had ever cleaned, the gums were pinker and so much happier and more stimulated. The obnoxiously straight, white toothy smile on the dentist’s face grew larger and larger as many of his patients fell into a precision step on their way to purchase this exotic new device offered for sale, conveniently, right there in his office! Cha-Ching! 

We were hooked! I am certain that you have been hooked, as well. And, why not? They do a great job with minimum effort and, if you replace the head often, you will be the proud owner of this amazing unit for years and years to come.

Having shared our lives between two residences for the past three years, we found it necessary to purchase yet another electric toothbrush set so as to enjoy its adeptness while occupying either location. Cha-Ching! Oh, but quite necessary by this time. 

Our sincere appreciation to Costco for making this dual purchase as light on the pocketbook as possible! Sorry, Doctor.

While packing-up our cosmetic bag for this trip, the practical side of me wondered about the most convenient way to brush my teeth at the motel we planned to stay at in order to break-up our lengthy drive. I opted to dig into the handy-dandy, manual toothbrush drawer to handle the job. We, certainly, didn’t require two sets of electric toothbrushes up in Michigan for the duration and this was the best solution.

Now comes the sad story of ‘it’s all about what you get used to.’  I felt like a bumbling character right out of a Stone Age cartoon that hoped shoving a stick inside of her mouth would eradicate the particles of fruits, nuts, fish bones, and grasses that had lodged between her teeth at dinner. Instantly, I discovered that I’d lost the ability to believe that hand-brushing my teeth even worked in the first place or, would ever work again. Dan, harboring similar feelings, and I could only laugh at this instant revelation. 

Ah, the wonders of technology! These two experiences, the one in the restaurant foyer and the attempt to manually brush my own teeth in the motel, helped me better understand this thought: You can’t always live with it (technology), and, it's becoming very difficult to live without it.

And then I saw this advertisement on social media this morning. This one blew my toothbrush story right out of the water! 

If sex sells, well.....this little item, coupled with the prospect of a naked woman in the shower, is a sure winner. First of all, I must ask, how long does anyone plan on staying in a shower before becoming mummified? Now, add the actual productive device time you might have while taking that shower. Factor in the wastefulness of running the water for a lengthy amount of time. And then, please tell me how many of you would purchase a pocketed shower curtain that is guaranteed to hold, not one, not two, not three, but up to four tech devices in its multi-sized, mostly waterproof pouches for your enjoyment and elongated pleasure??? Party time!

I will live a long, full, and happy lifetime before I’d ever care about meeting the individual(s) who came up with this concept, no matter how much money he (they) will, eventually, make from it. And, sadly, they will make lots of money....

As we all remain in the state of 'Modern Day Limbo’ while learning how to survive its productiveness, as well as its pitfalls, we must, also, learn to embrace technology with logic and common sense. It's important to discover each day what is good for, not only ourselves as individuals but, the world and the environment in which we all live. When that happy balance of ‘all things possible’ leads us into a space where the common denominator is ‘productive reasoning,’ rather than anti-social behavior, then life is striking a positive balance. Embrace it!

Copyright © 2018 by Jacqueline E. Hughes

All rights reserved

ART, BALANCE AND MEDITATION.....REPOST FROM MARCH, 2014

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, MR. VONNEGUT!!!!!  NOVEMBER 11, 1922. 

THE FOLLOWING IS A 'REPOST' OF MY ORIGINAL STORY DATED MARCH 20, 2014.
BECAUSE OF MY PROFOUND RESPECT FOR THE INTRICATE AND TALENTED MIND OF THIS INTERESTING MAN.....I HONOR HIM ONCE AGAIN....ON THIS, HIS DAY OF BIRTH. 

A series of essays.....




Kurt Vonnegut: The Celestial Teapot Magazine

.....through my eyes!

By: Jacqueline E. Hughes


Several days ago I posted a quote by the author and humorist Kurt Vonnegut on my Facebook Page that read, "I believe that reading and writing are the most nourishing forms of meditation anyone has so far found."  I posted it because I believe what it states to be true and insightful.

Many of us within the 'Facebook Family' have shared similar messages with FB friends.....even though their subject matter might be entirely different: fast cars, spiritual insights, beauty tips, hot travel spots, military homecomings and (inevitably) seemingly impossible cat poses, just to name a few. 

Welcome To My Library!

Certainly, as a writer, I am obsessively attracted to quotes by authors of no specific genre, location, time or gender....  I am proud to promote libraries, franchised bookstores, Indie bookstores and personal 'book nooks' located in private homes across the world!!  I posted a picture of my very own reading niche just a few days ago.  I do not understand homes without some form of library, whether it be filled with hard bound copies, paperback novels or a combination of the two.  In my estimation, ALL rooms within a given space are eligible and worthy of including bookshelves within their design.  (Yes, even, and perhaps, especially, the bathrooms...)

                                        Kurt Vonnegut's Office

E-books, although less tangible to many, are by no means less important.  Actually, Indie Published authors have designated the Internet as the most popular track for exposure and marketing of some of the very best writing talent to be found today!  With so much technology at our disposal, it would be unreasonable not to consider promoting and circulating your literary creations for others, including publishers, to see at the touch of a few keys!  Personally, I have been following several highly talented e-book authors within the last few months and have marked their overwhelming appeal among readers, along with their steady growth towards the mainstream of book publication.  The hard bound copies of their impressive work can now be found on display at your local Barnes & Noble with book launch, book signings and author forums neatly placed in their future 'schedule of events.' 

However, as the old saying goes....I digress.  Mr. Vonnegut's quote has not been pushed aside; rather, it has been reined back into my thoughts.  Best known as an author, Mr. Vonnegut was, also, a freethinker, a humanist and an atheist.  He once wrote, "I am a humanist, which means, in part, that I have tried to behave decently without expectations of rewards or punishments after I am dead."  I can only imagine that by getting lost in either the act of writing his own books (The Sirens of Titan, Cat's Cradle, Slaughterhouse-Five, to name a few) or, reading books written by others....Mr. Vonnegut was truly able to "...train the mind to be familiar with states that are beneficial: concentration, compassion, correct understanding, patience, humility and perseverance."  I would be safe in stating that 'most' authors today have meditated for years in order to achieve that feeling of being 'one with themselves' and able to provide their readers with the best they have to offer...

Nadine Within Her Elements

After posting this quote, a FB friend of mine and "artiste extraordinaire," Nadine Fourre, who lives and creates in the South of France, commented on my posting.  "Any Art form, isn't it?" she asked me.  Nadine's main area of artistic expression as a sculptor is the uncanny ability to establish an environment based upon Zen ideals utilizing natural elements which include, but are not limited to, sand, driftwood and dry-stacked stones of various shapes and sizes.  Her creations are highly personal, extremely beautiful and always thought provoking.

When I think about Nadine, I am constantly reminded of balance, nature and meditation.  Her work defies gravity while it draws the eye to its innate beauty!




By: Nadine Fourre

The Free Encyclopedia defines Zen as a school of Mahayana Buddhism meditation that originated in India and passed into China during the 6th century.   Zen developed fully in Japan by the 12th century and had a significant following in the West by the later 20th century.   Zen emphasizes the attainment of enlightenment through meditation, self-contemplation and intuition.  Contemplation of one's essential nature, to the exclusion of all else, is the way of achieving pure enlightenment.  Few understand nature as beautifully as Nadine...

Nadine At Work

Her poignant question affected me deeply.  I realized, being an author of words, Mr. Vonnegut's emphasis on reading and writing exclusively created shortcomings that were bound to draw the attention of friends who incorporated many forms of artistic expression into their lives.  I needed to take it several steps further by broadening "the most nourishing forms of meditation" to include all forms of art.  The great American novelist, John Updike, once said, "What art offers is space---a certain breathing room for the spirit."  

Writers, painters, sculptors, dancers, singers, musicians, architects, poets, photographers, actors......and, the list goes on and on.....all require that space, that breathing room that will allow their spirits to soar, their talent to exceed all expectations and, their creative minds the benefit of concentration...perseverance!!

Kurt Vonnegut

Thank you to all my friends who take their work d'art to the highest levels possible...and, beyond!  Michael, Cathy, Eric V. W., you know who you are!  The world is nothing less than blessed by your current achievements.  We patiently (?) wait to see what comes next....


NOTE:  To see more of Nadine's amazing work, this is one Website that exhibits her "Art of Balance":   gallery.knoxox.com/nadine-fourre