Unplugged

Hi My name is Erin, and I'm addicted to technology.
With my current job I spend at least 8 hours a day in front a computer screen. An hour on lunch in front of my iphone or/ipad screen, and then get home and sit down on my computer.

My previous job was so emotional and physically exhausting, that I'd gotten myself into the habit of coming home and crashing in front of my computer, as a way to decompress. Its been a hard habit to break, and I find myself vegging out in front of my computer whether I really have anything productive to do on it or not. 

Idle minds are the devils playground ... or so I hear..

For now, my work load isn't heavy, so I spend a lot of time browsing the internet. I hear when the school year starts it will pick up, a fact I will be extremely grateful for.

Don't get me wrong, its hard to complain about a job where I can type up blog after blog post and surf the net, but there moments where it feels like a big waste of time.

This week, I decided to impose some restrictions on my computer time. What do I really have to do at home, that I can't do at work? Sure there are few things on my home computer I can't access at work, but nothing that would merit 5+ hours of computer time.. 

If I couldn't get what I wanted done while at work, I would set aside two hours in the evening that would be computer related, but until that time, the computer is not to be touched.  

When I arrive home at 5:30 the first hour is dedicated to changing clothes, relieving/playing/training with the dogs, emptying my car and picking up the yard. Then I'll feed the dogs, and start on chores while giving me time to decide on dinner ideas, and get started on those. By the time 8:30 rolls around I've gotten things done, and feel comfortable vegging out while I eat dinner. 

At 10:30 I'm making sure I have stuff ready for tomorrow, putting the dogs up and preparing for bed. 

I also gave myself the goal of keeping my sink cleared of dishes, even if that meant stacking them neatly on the side (way to be lazy Erin!), as I feel this goes a long way to helping the kitchen look neater, and I completed that goal as well. 

These sound like little things, I know, but as someone who has a hard time sticking with created goals, I'm really excited that I imposed something this "hard" on myself and I did it. 

That being said, I've been motivated to start tackling some budgeting goals I have set for this month, but that's another post for another time... 

Ten On Tuesday

1. Mac or Windows? (Or Linux for you super geeks!)
 Mac all the way Baby! 

2. What drew you to that operating system?
I started using Macs in one of my Computer Art classes, then my grandmother purchased one for my high school graduation, so I've been a mac every since. :) Not to mention, ease of use, lack of virus's...etc..etc.. 

3. Mice – Wireless or Wired? Mouse pad or none?
I don't care honestly, and if the mouse will function without a pad than I don't have one.. other wise..well yes 

4. Other than the Internet – What do you use your computer most for?
.....

There's another use for the computer beside the internet? Who knew. No I use it a lot of photo editing, digital scrap-booking, playing Age of the Empires, Spider Solitaire, .... (grins) 

5. What’s one computer-related thing you wish you were best at? (CSS, Photoshop, Excel, etc.)
Being more proficient in HTML and CSS would definitely be high on my list. I started a degree in Web Design, switched to Photography and am wishing I'd stuck with the former longer..

6. Describe the first time you ever used a computer.
The.first.time. i...wow I honestly don't remember, I was like maybe 7-8? I ono.. :) 

7. How often do you upgrade to a new operating system?
As often as I can get a free version. I've just now upgraded my Mac from Tiger to Snow Leopard, because a co-worker got it too me for free. Lemme tell you I wish I'd stuck with Tiger at this point. Why didn't anyone tell me SL was sooooo buggy!? I hate it! Waaaaah! 

8. Are you a short-cutter (CTRL+C) or a right-clicker?
Short cuts all the way! I hate moving my hands back and forth between the keyboard and mouse (can we say lazy much?) so I'm all about my Command + <insert whatever>. 

9. Is computer-use a constant thing in your life (such as using it both at work and home) or do you get a break (because you don’t use them at work)?
Up until recently, I pretty much lived on my computer, hours on at work, hours on a home, but I've realized there is more to life than my online-life (or lack thereof) so pretty much do everything I need to at work, and only play games at home. 

10. Where do you think the world would be if personal computers did not exist?
We'd all be bored out of our minds.