Yesterday, my power went out. No computer. No tv. Since we're on a well, no running water. My daughter and I just sat there, staring at each other. What the heck do we do now???

 

Obviously this is not the first time we've experienced a power loss in our home, but the amount of time we just sat there staring at each other, made me start to think... Technology has so infiltrated our lives that we feel utterly helpless without it.

 

Remember the panic that arose over the idea that all the technology in the whole world would suddenly shut off at the stroke of midnight, December 31st, 1999? People were duped into spending thousands of dollars on the most ridiculous items sold as 'survival kits'. I had a neighbour CONVINCED she would have to bring water into the house from the creek that ran through her back yard. Such foolishness. What would I do? Well, I live a matter of about 10 miles from Amish country. I figured I just hike on down there and introduce myself! I'm a very friendly person. :-)

 

So we sat there, we two, in the semi dark of the overcast day, looking at each other, wondering what to do. How could this have happened? How could we consider ourselves so advanced, that a power outage is debilitating? How 'advanced' does that make us, really? We are prisoners of our own technology. I don't go anywhere without my cell phone. Yes, I'm still behind the times and have just a phone, as opposed to something that talks to me or takes pictures. Even my landline requires electricity, being a cordless phone that requires a plugged in 'base unit'. I can't even have a cup of tea without electricity.

 

It wouldn't take much to bring this country down. A simple plot to take out the coast to coast electrical grids. That's all. No airplane bombers. No suicide bombers. No elite group of terrorist intelligence agents... Just an electrician with a chip on his shoulder.

 

I think we should be nice to the Amish. They could honestly be our last line of defense!

In response to Mothering is a Liability... by LadyPhoenix1965:

Apparently, being a mom, with little rugrats still at home, isseen in a negative light in cyberdating world. One profile evenboldly states that if your children are your priority, move along!One potential match was describing a dud date when he said that shewanted to show him pictures of her kids. Another excitingpossibility admitted that he was intimidated by the thought of'other people' in his life.

Don't get me wrong! I've met a number of wonderful people, andhad a few dates and even still talk to some of them. I count acouple of them to be true friends. So, what's the issue...???

Not one single Mother's Day wish from anyone. Not one... Acurious thing.

I won't apologize for being a mother, it's the most importantposition I've ever held in my life. Each child is a uniqueblessing, and a wonder to watch blossom and grow into adulthood.And I'm a part of that.

And so I boldly state: If you can't tolerate mini humans in yourlife; if you can't be one in a list of priorities; if you don'twant to see pictures of my greatest accomplishment, or talk aboutsomething that's important in my life: MOVE ALONG! I'm sure there'ssome woman out there who won't mind making you the center of heruniverse, but I'm not the one. My universe is MUCH bigger, MUCHricher, and MUCH more diverse than that!!! :-)

Terry - The pet thing is a little annoying, I'll grant you that! I have four cats, as well as my three kids. Quite the zoo! lol... I think some people put a lot of time and attention into their animals, because of being otherwise alone. I can respect that, on some level. When you're out with someone else, your lady friend will still have her faithful companion by her side... Fortunately for me, cats can be left alone for a few days, with sufficient food and water. :-)

Apparently, being a mom, with little rugrats still at home, is seen in a negative light in cyberdating world. One profile even boldly states that if your children are your priority, move along! One potential match was describing a dud date when he said that she wanted to show him pictures of her kids. Another exciting possibility admitted that he was intimidated by the thought of 'other people' in his life.

Don't get me wrong! I've met a number of wonderful people, and had a few dates and even still talk to some of them. I count a couple of them to be true friends. So, what's the issue...???

Not one single Mother's Day wish from anyone. Not one... A curious thing.

I won't apologize for being a mother, it's the most important position I've ever held in my life. Each child is a unique blessing, and a wonder to watch blossom and grow into adulthood. And I'm a part of that.

And so I boldly state: If you can't tolerate mini humans in your life; if you can't be one in a list of priorities; if you don't want to see pictures of my greatest accomplishment, or talk about something that's important in my life: MOVE ALONG! I'm sure there's some woman out there who won't mind making you the center of her universe, but I'm not the one. My universe is MUCH bigger, MUCH richer, and MUCH more diverse than that!!! :-)

I stand with a beloved friend today, saying goodbye to her mother.

God has a unique way of putting things into perspective for me, and reminding me of who I am, and who I want to be. I've been spending a lot of time thinking about my life and what comes between now and the end of it. I had been thinking of the end as an image of two rocking chairs, side by side on the porch, quietly watching my progeny, holding hands with the love of my life...

As I watch this amazing woman being laid to rest, and look around the room at all the people mourning the loss of her, I realize that life is so much more. So many people. So much love. So much affectiveness...

Her life was one of gentleness, kindness, and love. She accepted everyone she met at face value... Even me... She was devoted to God, her husband, and her family. She was trusted and admired by all who knew her. I see it in every face that bids her farewell. She will be sorely missed.

And there, her husband. He stood by her through every pain of her disease. He stayed with her through every procedure, every doctor visit. He made all the necessary arrangements to be with her in the nursing home. He never faltered for one second. A soldier to the end. There is fatigue in his body, but not in his eyes. His love for her blooms even now.

Forget the rocking chairs. Forget the porch. That woman is my new inspiration. She lived for others, and they lived for her.

Rest, Blessed Sister. Till we meet again.

So, I was sitting here, perusing profiles, and it occured to me that I have a profile reading routine. It involves the proverbial 'eye-flit' to four specific items: height (Can I wear heels with this guy?), drink (I don't like to drink alone.), what they're looking for (Actually listing 'casual sex' is a total turn off.), and distance.

It used to seem obvious to me why I would check distance. I'm 'stuck', for lack of a better term, right here in my little town, because of the divorce agreement, until my youngest turns 18. I suppose, if a few thousand dollars fell from the sky, I could fight it in court, but realistically speaking, I'm gonna be living right here for another 6 years. As a result, I tend to search for and respond to potential matches within reasonable coffee-meeting distance, usually about 30 miles.

Recently, however, I've had to re-evaluate this philosophy. Not everyone has the same idea. Go figure.

I've met some men who think 30 miles is way too far! Apparently they're satisfied with the head cashier at the local convenience store. I live in a bedroom community, families of four, not too many single men between 14 and 75 around.

I've met some men from out of state who claim that NOTHING will prevent them from finding true love, and distance shouldn't prevent us from being together... Kinda hard to maintain a Saturday night movie date under those conditions.

So, how far is too far? I've been out as far as North Olmstead (45 minutes in good traffic) for a terrific guy, but he's just as stuck where he is as I am. No match. I have friend who got married to a guy in Pennsylvania, and he commuted on weekends for almost a year! That's LOVE! But I don't want to be married and alone in my bed...

There are so many factors in the dating game. How did distance get to be a top priority?

 

95% of the profiles I read make the statement: No head games! I wonder what percentage of those people has really sat down to think about defining what they mean by 'head games'.

I'm guessing 'head games' includes anything anyone might to do deceive, confuse, taunt, control, or generally reap havoc on another. Ironically, many of the composers of this, and similar statement(s), are themselves great game players!

One of my favourite games involves being completely ignored! That's a fun one. You stretch yourself outside of your comfort zone to contact someone who seems interesting to you. You spend time composing the perfect note. You hum and haw over the wording, hoping to be funny and stimulating. And then, with a nervous finger and a trembling heart, you push the send button! GLORY! GLORY! Off it goes, into cyber wonder... You wait... And wait... And then one day you see it! He has viewed your profile! Your heart leaps. And you wait... and wait... nothing.

If I walked up to a man in a bar, or a library, or a grocery store, and tried to strike up a conversation, it would be considered socially unacceptable for him to just turn around and walk away without saying a word. It would be considered by most to be downright RUDE! But on dating websites, it seems to be common form. The anonymity of the web has made us an antisocial lot, given us permission to practice blatant rudeness as commonly as breathing.

That, my friends, is it's own head game.

There are others, of course, but tomorrow.... Is another day. :-)

Lady Phoenix, Rising from the Ashes.