Let's get the ball rolling

So I'm sitting here all morning and part of the afternoon trying to get things done and all I can seem to do is little spurts. Why is is that computers are such blessing and bane altogether? There are so many interesting things to be found, downloaded, tested and found to be of interest. But it seems that one out of 20 actually turn out to be anything that really helps me get more done while using the computer less.

I think the basic problem is that I want to be able to do more with the same (or less) amount of time. I want to be more creative, be better at keeping in touch with friends and family, manage the household, and use the computer for fun things with my wife and kids. But I want to spend less time staring today's version of the BOOB TUBE.

It calls my name..."Come, come see what else there is to discover..." Silent whispers. "Look! New, low prices on stuff!" Carefully crafted ethernet threads searching for a life of their own.

It is a tool. Tools are meant to be handled, controlled, manipulated, and put back down. But this tool is sneaky. It is sophisticated, subtle, suave. It spoon feeds you with daily news, hilarious video clips, a feeling of community. All because you've shared some bits and bytes with family, friends, and other unknown @s and coms.

It would be really easy to ricochet off of that and take the Luddite oath, but the
challenge in today's life is to reclaim the role of the master and relegate the tool to its proper position. The goal is to be as wise as a serpent, but as harmless as a dove. Use every tool to the best of my ability and then put it down until I need it again.

So what is the punch line here? Blogger is one of those tools I have serendipitously discovered and am trying to use to be more creative and do better at keeping in touch with friends and family. Will this be counted among the 1's or the remaining 19? I don't know yet. What I do know is that this tool is now being laid down.

Selah.