Tune Out, Tune In

Just returned from a week-long family vacation to Cape Cod, "The Cape" as the regulars refer to it. I want to be a regular! We were there for seven days, went to a different beach almost every day, some with waves, some not, ate some of the best seafood I've ever had and, best of all, watched our daughters (ages 6 and 4) make some wonderful sand-filled memories with their cousin. There was sunshine and a lot more humidity than I would have liked. Bill was hyped, but passed right on by providing surfers, who came from near and far, some "epic" waves. On the day that we thought we needed a break from the beach there was Candle Pin bowling, which we had never heard of before - apparently it's a Canadian thing - challenging indeed. We walked in the doors and stepped back in time it seemed. Even the owner, a slight man with long spindly fingers and grease embedded under his nails from the daily tinkering and repairing that goes on in his perfectly maintained alley, ball cap all askew on his head and teeth which have not discovered the wonders of a Crest whitening strip, looked like something out of central casting. There was plenty of ice cream to be had, along with miniature golf, a flea market and a train ride we didn't quite make.

Now let me tell you what there was not: At the house we shared with my brother-in-law for the week, which was what I will call "rustic/eclectic" there was no television, no phone, no cell reception and no computer! What was a totally technologically connected girl to do?? How would I know whether or not that e-mail from the Legal Department at Milojo finally came through? Don't worry, not going to beat that proverbial dead horse here (wink, wink). The sense of relief I felt as I could almost hear the actual sound of my brain winding down was incredible! Very calming and refreshing indeed. Now, how to find a way to bottle that calm upon our return...hmm.

It is no wonder we are a nation with so many depressed, anxious, stressed out people. We've got so much information at our fingertips and in our faces these days, most of it utter nonsense and unnecessary blather. Did you know that you can now enlist the services of a therapist who specializes in helping people with their overwhelming feelings of guilt for not doing all they can to recycle and go green?...alert -brain fart ahead - my brother-in-law, who I do not necessarily share the views of, sports a bumper sticker on his Jeep that says "Go Green, Go Nuclear"...sorry for that digression, where was I? And if you're wondering, yes, I do try to "reduce, reuse, recycle" as much as possible.

I guess the point I am trying to make here is that, while technology is incredibly fast and efficient, I am starting to liken it to that glass of wine or box of favorite cookies - it is best taken in moderation. I took the first baby steps this morning and told myself "Make coffee. Do not check your three e-mail accounts. Do not look at the pretty pictures (i.e., mindless b.s.) on Perez Hilton. Do not go to the Product X blog. Do not check Facebook to see what my 124 friends are up to. Go straight to Womentorz and post something NOW"! See? It totally worked! Thank God I don't Twitter!

Sometimes it's good to slow down and simplify things a little...now, time for another cup of Dunkin' Donuts deliciousness and it's off to the housewife races!

Please feel free to share your thoughts...