Okay, so this post isn’t about something dramatic like walking on the moon! It is about technology and an enormous step I recently took.

Keep in mind, as you read, that I grew up with rotary telephones (you know, the black ones with the dial that you turned with a finger?), manual typewriters (yes, not even electric!), and regular mail (the kind that’s now lovingly referred to as “snail mail”). There were no computers, cell phones, email or internet (imagine that!)

Over the years, I’ve grown and adapted with changing technology, although not without some fear and trepidation. I tend to drag my heels and consider myself technologically challenged. I remember refusing to buy a DVD player just because the market was changing. After all, my movies were on VHS tapes. My kids, of course, found this amusing. For Christmas one year, they pooled their resources and bought me a combination VHS/DVD player (and showed me how to use it). I had no DVDs at the time (that has since changed!) And now I hear that DVDs are being phased out. Arrgghh!!

I bought a cell phone about five years ago because I was working as a doula (labour coach) and had to be on call 24/7 for my clients in labour. However, in typical fashion, since retiring from that profession, my cell phone is never on. My partner wonders why I have it. Good point.

My silent buddy

However, times change. As my coaching business blossoms, I’m needing different types of accessories (no, not the fashion kind). So, I now have a … wait for it … Blackberry!

I know, it’s not cutting edge for anyone but me. Not headline worthy perhaps. But a gi-normous step for this ol’ gal. Yay me!

As with any new technology, the learning curve is steep for me. It took an entire day on and off the phone with my service provider to get my email to download to it. Since then, BB and I have been getting to know each other. It’s like the early days of any relationship – sometimes it’s my new best friend and sometimes I just don’t get it. We don’t seem to speak the same language (it uses chirps, buzzes and flashing red lights to communicate) and I jump every time it vibrates in my hand or on my hip, but I think we’re in it for the long haul.

"BB", my new best friend (I think!)

Today, the Blackberry. Tomorrow … an iPod? Or is it an iPad? Golly, I can’t keep track.  🙂