Okay you young tech guys; let’s get some context here. When I was a kid, I opened the toys I got right away. I couldn’t wait to get to my box of log cabin logs. I strapped on my Roy Rogers gun set and was testing my quick draw instantly. Of course, my Etch-A-Sketch immediately was ripped open and used to draw the Superman “S.”
Granted I’m a child of the fifties and sixties, but I do know what Twitter is; heck, I’ve got over 3,000 followers now! I have a Facebook profile and a Facebook page with “likes” from all over the world. I rely on e-mail and, frankly, love it, though I still am trying to understand what Spam has to do with anything as I thought it was canned food. My cell-phone is with me at all times and I even know how to auto-dial though I can’t adjust the volume on my “smart phone.” Maybe it’s my hearing?
The problem I have now is frankly; I no longer want to open the box. I read or hear about the next new techie thing, like a digital camera, and eventually I figure I should get one. So, as with my first digital camera, I buy it, bring it home and place it somewhere prominently on my desk.
The box really looks nice. Later, I move it closer to me. I read everything on the box. It seems easy. I’ll wait another day or so. Two weeks later, I take a sip of the beer I got to bolster my courage and … I open the box. Everything is wrapped separately and everything is tied with twistees, so I get all the parts arranged neatly and then open the instruction manual. Now, I’m sweating. I finish the beer. I take a big breath…and I put it all back in the box. I’ll deal with this another day.
A couple of weeks later, after the 3rd beer this time, I take it all out again and try to work it per the diagram on the multi-language manual or instruction folder that unfolds larger than the size of my desk. Oh, but I have to charge it overnight…another respite and stay-of-execution!
The next time, I unplug it and it is fully charged. Wow. I start trying to figure it out. I get stuck. I ALWAYS get stuck. I read the instructions again. I even read them in Spanish, though I speak no Spanish. I try this. Then that. Again. I take another big breath. I try again. Nada.
I put it all in back in the box. I ignore the label saying if you have trouble, don’t return, and call this number for customer service. Forget that. I pull out my old 35mm camera. It feels good in my hands. I play with the familiar buttons. I look through the lens finder. This feels better. I’m safe again.
