Back in the old days, we read local newspapers to learn what was going on. The biggest conduit for entertainment was our television set. We had phone books and encyclopedias. To "look something up" took a great deal of effort.
Then, e-mail emerged. I got my first e-mail address in 1996. Gradually, the World Wide Web grew and companies started putting up websites. Online information and resources replaced analog ones. Today, you don't get a phone book delivered to your house; you go online to check virtually everything, like where that new restaurant in town is, when it opens and what's on the menu.
In two decades, the analog world shifted to a digital one, with everything available at our fingertips. Now, you apply for a job online, you buy health insurance online and you shop online.
Do you remember the old days? When did you plug into the 'net?
What brings this social development to note for me is a lovely gift from a friend. Lynn is a sweet woman who became my friend a few years ago and has been my most ardent supporter. Lynn always says nice things on my blog; we chat on Facebook and e-mail; and she writes on her blog about her family and scrapbooking.
Why does Lynn make me think of the Internet? Because she lives in South Africa, halfway around the world. I can't ever imagine finding someone that far away before the 'net made it possible. Only through online communication were we able to forge and develop a friendship. So, thank you for that Internet!
Lynn's sister, Wendy, also blogs. I've been trying to persuade them to adopt me as their sister. I'd leap at the chance to be related to these wonderful women.
Lynn recently gave me a necklace made of multi-colored beads. It's several shades of orange and was handmade in South Africa. Here's what it looks like...
That's beautiful!! I agree with everything you say. You look great in this t-shirt by the way.x
ReplyDeleteThat necklace is so lovely and looks perfect with the dress.
ReplyDeleteWhat would we do without the internet!? I'd be lost without it now. You look amazing, I LOVE your hair like that xx
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely necklace. Such a beautiful and thoughtful gift. I do remember the old days, before the internet. We've come a long way! I am so happy with the connections I have made through blogging and the internet, as well. Like you!
ReplyDeleteHey adopted Sister ... The necklace looks great!!!!
ReplyDeleteI also remember the old days ... I entered the digital world with a bit of a fright ... having returned from maternity leave in January 1996 everything then went on hyper drive ... Now it is just second nature. Although I am thankful that the internet/e-mails/Whats App/etc helps us keep in touch and forge friendships around the world easier ... it sure does take away the personal touch.
I love to remind my boys of the days before the Internet, when we had to go to the library (gasp) to look something up! That is a lovely necklace, and it looks perfect on you with your coloring!
ReplyDeleteI was married in 1997 and we bought our first computer with some wedding present money (it was hugely expensive!). I remember being very confused at first, but you know, not much has changed for me. Newer computer, but I still don't have a phone/tablet/i-anything!
ReplyDeleteI remember a few months ago when our cell service AND internet service was out for nearly 24 hours. It was like taking a step back in time. I definitely find myself longing for the pre-Internet days sometimes, but then I have to take a step back and realize that my life would be DRASTICALLY different if it didn't exist (or wasn't as advanced). And you wouldn't have such a fab new necklace to wear, either! - Ashley
ReplyDeleteWhat a nice gift!
ReplyDeleteWe still get phonebooks delivered to homes in the UK, though I can tell you, they're so much thinner. The ones from my childhood were really thick and now they're nothing at all. Also when I do go to look something up, it isn't even in there!
What a thoughtful, lovely present from your dear friend on the other side of the globe.
ReplyDeleteThough it technically existed in a very early form before I was born, I am definitely old enough to remember life before the web. We didn't have a computer when I was growing up, let alone the web and my first access to it came from school and public library computers. I got my own (absolute hunk of junk, barely worked second hand) computer when I was 19.5 and have had one nearly continually ever since.
As much as I love, appreciate and am thankful for the web (it has, no joke, given me everything from my husband to my current career), I'm also grateful that I grew up in a pre-texting, pre-web era. I'm the very last slice of a generation in the western world that can say as much.
I love that I have memories of reading the newspaper, getting the phone book (and using rotary phones), listing to music on Walkmans and later portable CD players (as well as on cassette and vinyl, too), watching movies on VHS ("be kind, please rewind!" :D), using a typewriter, and looking up information in books, which I read by the dozens each month as a child. My passion for learning and writing alike stem in large part from many of these things and certainly helped shaped me into who I am today.
However, all that said, like yourself, I love the benefits that the web has brought into my life, massively including the dear friends that I've made though it.
♥ Jessica
I'm too young to remember life without internet fully (I do but I was a kid back than). But still can't help but be happy about internet getting to know wonderful people I'd never met and more. Now we can easily ,love anywhere without loosing a shoulder of our friends. I'm very grateful to internet because after all I met my husband there.
ReplyDeletei still have my email from 1996! it's an old hotmail acct i still use
ReplyDeleteWhat a gorgeous necklace! My first email, probably circa 2000, was something like bandpunk06@yahoo, haha. I have vivid memories of looking things up in my grandma's encyclopedia set. BUT, I do still get phone books delivered to my door! I don't even have a landline! It's actually really annoying because it always goes straight to the recycling bin.
ReplyDeleteI had to have an email account made somewhere in late 90s as I was in a long distance relationship with my boyfriend (now husband) who lived across the world from me in Rome. Back then the only reason I used a computer was for document writing. I remember having to drive to a cyber cafe to check my email every week or so. That went on for 5 years! If only we had the luxury of wifi and apps like skype, whatsapp or whatever they have now, we would have safe a lot of money on phone calls. The necklace is very delicate by the way and would elevate the simplest outfit.
ReplyDeleteI got sick of Facebook last month and deactivated my account..I know if I log in it acts like you never left. The internet has made us lazy and impatient, its made people become their own doctors to diagnose themselves and cause bigger issues, could i love without the internet No but its that double edged sword that we need to do day to day things. One day i will buy a nokia 5110 and go back to a easier lifestyle
ReplyDeleteLynn is a sweetheart. I think she would be a wonderful sister! You look great in this outfit and that necklace is fantastic!
ReplyDeleteI remember getting the dial up internet in 1994 or 5 but although my husband used it I didn't for another year or so as I could not really find a need to use it. Eventually I became hooked on the idea of seeking out information and learning about new things only I was so accustomed to hard copies I would print out reams of paper so I had hard copies of any sites I enjoyed reading. I cringe now at the thought of the paper and ink I wasted. Now I predominantly use the internet as my main form of entertainment and do not use a television. I dabble in social media but quickly get tired of it. However, I have made some very deep and lasting friendships with the help of the internet and am constantly amazed at how it can bring together people from around the world. xo
i've been loving peachy oranges as of late. i remember when our family bought our very first computer. amazing how far we've come.
ReplyDeleteWhat a pretty necklace! I took typing in high school so that should say something....ha! Now, however, I can't live without it. My family is all over the world at the moment so I'm glad that it's available.
ReplyDeletexo
styleontheside.com
Oh Ally, you're adopted, not question about it <3
ReplyDeleteOh I do remember the first time I heard about internet - I was in college…
ReplyDeleteThe internet is indeed a beautiful thing! I'm so glad it introduced us, which led to us being able to hang out for almost four days - yay!!! And thanks to Doe as well. :)
ReplyDeleteAlso, you look GREAT in orange, and I love the bright pink lipstick with the orange. Orange and hot pink always look amazing together.
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