By Jerry Riley

Recently I spent a few days without my home computer. Oh, I had access to the Internet and email from other computers, but had underestimated my reliance of my system and the connivance of the Internet.
I had to make notes on things that would ordinarily just be noted in various computer data bases and make hand written notes on column ideas, which I usually just start, or add to, using the computer. Probably some of you don’t even care about that. I could have become a technoid at that point – one aggravated by technology. Unlike some others, I see our reliance on it.
Although I could receive and reply to email, I didn’t have my address book. I really had no idea how often I used the Internet to check the TV schedule, weather or news.
Maybe an indication of life after electricity? What a revoltin’ development this is!
Because it was cold and rainy out, I spent most of my time inside. Since I couldn’t waste time on the Internet I did do some house work. I did some in-depth house cleaning that I had been putting off.
I usually watch a lot of TV, both live, on tape. and tapes from my VCR. I record a lot of programs when I am out walking or attending meetings. I was watching one program, and missed something funny because there was a big laugh, so I pressed “rewind.” Nothing happened, so I pushed several more buttons before I realized I was not watching something from my VCR. About a week later, I found a sign at Hallmark: It Works Better if you PLUG IT IN! I took a picture of it and posted it on Facebook. One of my friends asked if that was part of my computer problem.

Jerry Riley is an occasional commentator for the News Bulletin. He is a retired telecommunications supervisor.
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