Technology – Then and Now

AYO TECHNOLOGY (She Wants It) – 50 Cent ft. Justin Timberlake & Timbaland

I miss older music. Nothing coming out lately seems to live up to it for me. The above song isn’t TOO old (2007, I think?) but it’s still great. Music 5 years ago is still timeless. Much more unforgettable than some of the trash that comes out nowadays.

When I say “old music” I mostly mean the stuff of the late 90’s and early 2000’s. When I was born. I didn’t actually begin listening to American music until 7th or 8th grade, believe it or not. Before that, I didn’t have iTunes or an iPod (Or even an MP3). There was no Youtube (GASP! YouTube was created in 2005. It was the 2003-2004 school year when I first began listening to non-Indian music)

Even then, I had some casettes in my casette player. Maybe a CD player for the family road trips.

Isn’t it CRAZY? We are the generation in transition.

We have the ability to say things like:

• When I was a little girl, we didn’t even have Computers because they were too expensive
• I remember a time when nobody really had cell phones
• Cordless phones were an amazing innovation and made it easier to multi-task while on the phone
• The Internet and the Phone couldn’t be used at the same time. There was no wireless internet and Dial-Up cost a ridiculous amount
• Mostly everybody had AOL. Hotmail and Yahoo weren’t as popular, and Gmail didn’t even exist

Isn’t it crazy? There have been SO many technological innovations from the 90’s until now, 2012.

My children will grow up in a world where all of these things exist and are taken for granted. This technology was invented as I grew up. I am from a time where we didn’t have Cell phones, Laptops, or iPods.

Let’s make another list, shall we?

I remember a time without:

• Laptops
• Computers (We got our first one when I was 6)
• Cell Phones
• Cordless Phones
• iPods
• iPads
• E-Mail
• The Internet
• USB Drives
• DVD Players
• LCD/Plasma TV
• Satellite TV
• Google
• YouTube
• Yahoo
• Amazon
• EBay
• Paypal
• Social Networking Sites (Facebook, Tumblr, Twitter, 4Square)
• Blogging
• Computer Animated Movies
• Greenscreen
• Viagra 😉
• Adele and Justin Bieber

I remember a time with:

• Palm Pilots
• Cassette Players
• Walkie Talkies
• Bicycle Rides
• Hours and hours of Roller Blading
• Pen Pals
• Letters
• Napster
• VCR
• Floppy Disks
• Ginormous TV’s. The one in our basement weighs 500 lbs. Literally.
• Cable TV
• The “Millenium Bug”

We’re a unique generation. We’ve seen so many discoveries, and we’ll hopefully be alive to see many more. It’s just ridiculous. In 1989, the World Wide Web didn’t even EXIST. The world as we know it was forever changed in 1990, and I was born in 1991. Just a mere year after the Internet. I’m almost as old as the INTERNET. I’m older than cell phones and satellite TV.

I’m older than E-MAIL.

Damn. Good stuff, this technology.

It has alienated the individual while making it easier than ever before to access the global.

Mother’s Day Gift Ideas!

Hello errybody!

I think most mothers love personalized gifts, or gifts with meaning. Some sort of inside joke or special reminder to a time they felt empowered, in charge, beautiful, and loved.

I’m going to forego the basics – flowers, cards, and chocolates, and focus on some truly meaningful presents you can give to your mother this Sunday, May 13. At the end, I’ll reveal my plan as well 😀

1. Candles

• When I was in India a few years ago (It must have been been the summer after senior year if I recall correctly), I took a small little class in candle-making. Although it’s not that hard to make your own BEAUTIFUL candles with some basic wax and coloring and molds, it doesn’t exactly involve everyday household items. Unfortunate. The house is already adorned with my candle creations I made that year – we rarely burn them, but they’re quite gorgeous to look at.

Bed, Bath & Beyond – $2.99
 Etsy – Cherry Blossom Luminaria – $2.50/each (Can be personalized)

2. Family Tree Themed Items

• My mother has always, ALWAYS wanted a large family tree. We have such an extensive family though, that this would make for quite the extravagent showpiece.
• I’m actually working on a very large project that will create my family’s family tree going back at least 3 generations! It’s extensive and will probably be my mom’s birthday present this October so I can finish all of the research and get it properly printed and framed over the summer.

Etsy – Blank Family Tree Chart, $12.50/2

 

3. Time Off

• Mommy almost always gets coupon booklets that I’ve created for her. These allow her things like “1 night off”, “1 facial, manicure, and pedicure”, “1 dinner not made by her” and other such cutesy things.

Okay I’m out of ideas and feeling guilty for procrastinating my paper so much. Will update later, let me know if you guys have any cute suggestions!

What are you getting your mom for Mother’s Day?

I’m going to reveal my present to my mom after I’ve given it to her just in case somebody in my family sees this post first!