Tuesday, September 14, 2010

I Heart Technology

I love technology! I have embraced it with open arms - I text, I email, I blog. I can't imagine my life without it and something happened this week that brought to mind a conversation that I had years ago with my now-deceased father-in-law.

He was very old-school. He didn't hold to all these new-fangled gadgets and he was happy to let everyone know his opinion on the matter. He firmly believed he could be in business without a fax, a computer or the internet. I disagreed and said that it sped up the process when working with people interstate but he wouldn't have a bar of it. When I explained that someone could ring me with a request then fax or email a design, I could start on the order within a day. But if I had to wait for snail mail I might not be able to start for the best part of a week. He was a stubborn old coot, still didn't believe me and I think the conversation ended up with me walking out of the room muttering "stupid old man" under my breathe.

Scroll forward a decade. This week I got a message on Facebook about making a special pair of swimmers for a special little girl who has some medical issues. The message was from a running acquaintance who'd seen something on Twitter. I Facebooked her my email address and the next day had an email from a family friend of the girl's. I emailed her Mum today for size information and what design modifications she needs. She sent back a digital photo of her little girl showing me the medical device she wanted to be covered. By late this afternoon I had 3 pairs of swimmers made, ready to be posted off in the morning. Without technology I would have never heard of this girl, let alone be able to help.

I'm taking tomorrow off from training. With my half in Sydney on Sunday I want to be feeling a little fresh so I can enjoy it. It's getting close and I'm starting to look forward to getting away and having no responsibilities for the weekend. I'm really looking forward to going to the zoo. Zoos have to be some of my favourite places. I haven't decided how I'm going to run it yet - I don't think it should be an all-out effort with Melbourne only a few weeks away but I'm hoping to go a little harder than I did at Gold Coast.

Woohoo! Sydney, here I come!

11 comments:

  1. You made a very good job with your training so I am sure you will run a fast half. Good luck in Sidney, I cannot wait for reading the report. Unbeliavable but I thought to write about the technology in my next post, remembering when I began to run without garmin, i-pod ecc.

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  2. Have a great time at your half!

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  3. Good luck and have a wonderful time!!

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  4. Technology is a tool and as any tool it can be abused but if used wisely, oh what a world of opportunities it opens.
    Enjoy your race.

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  5. WooHoo go Char! Have a great half!

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  6. You're right about technology and how it enhances our lives. I also think there's value in old-school, face-to-face relationships and I do worry sometimes that the next generation won't have good "human" skills.

    Are you going to Taronga Zoo while in Sydney? We loved it--check out the naughty gorilla baby if you get a chance!

    Good luck this weekend!

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  7. Ahhh, technology!!

    Good luck at the half and enjoy it!

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  8. Great example of how fantastic technology can be.

    Good luck with the half!

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  9. I'm sure you'll enjoy your half marathon in Sidney on Sunday. Have a great race Char! I look forward to reading your race report!

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  10. Im with you on the technology thing. What did we do before we had texting?! ;)

    Enjoy your race!

    Can't wait to hear about it!! :)

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  11. That is so true, technology rocks! Good luck with the half and enjoy it.

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