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Step away from the screen...

Discussion in 'The Hokey Ass Message Board' started by G V Gordon, May 14, 2009.

  1. G V Gordon
    Joined: Oct 29, 2002
    Posts: 5,713

    G V Gordon
    Member
    from Enid OK

    I, like a lot of you, probably spend way more time than I should sitting in front of a computer screen. I was kind of dragged into the tech world kicking and screaming. I was one of the last people I knew to get a cell phone, and I still only use it to call people, even though it takes pictures etc..

    Actually I did take one picture, but it was of my foot and was an accident.

    I have been thinking a lot lately about all that has been lost with all the new technology.

    When I was cleaning out my mothers house a couple years ago I found valentine cards from my dad to my mother when they were courting. Letters saved by my folks fom long lost friends and relatives. I'm pretty sure no one saves e-mails like that, let alone text messages.

    I still write thank you notes to people. I learned to do it for business but found out that there is something about getting a hand written note from someone tha is cherished by the person who recieves it. Esspecially in todays instant messaging world.

    Our grandson stayed with us some when his parents were going through a rough patch several years ago. One morning I wrote him a note, drew a car on it and put it into his lunchbox for him to find. I did it quite a few times. He still has those notes from PaPa.

    There are lessons to be learned in the real world that you just don't get in the virtual world. If your nose gets bloodied for being an asshole, you learn to keep you mouth shut. Some of us took that class more than once. But on line, there is no danger in engaging your mouth before putting your brain in gear.

    Now don't get me wrong, I enjoy hanging out on here, chatting with friends that are too far away to see more than once or twice a year. And I have made a LOT of friends here. But it doesn't compare to being out in the garage with buddies, working on a project, or not working on a project and just sitting in the shop and BSing about life.

    Going to a show, and seeing friends, face to face, real time, rain or shine.

    Another danger of this virtual world we inhabit is that we become lemmings, blindly following each other off the cliff of conformity. It doesn't matter if you interpretation of confomity is "traditional", "100 point restoration", "rat rod", or "trailer queen". Why would you waste time or loose sleep over what some faceless screen name thinks of your project.

    So, if there is a point to this rambling, It's step away from the screen, go to a show, get out and drive the wheels off your ride, pop by and see a buddy you haven't seen in a while, send a note to someone you appreciate, hug your kids, hell, mow your lawn, you know the neighbors would appreciate it.

    Just get out of the house and live life. Get away from the instant world of the internet, the touch screen, the text message and just enjoy people for the imperfect, wonderful, looney, beings we are.
     
  2. model-a-fan
    Joined: Oct 4, 2008
    Posts: 842

    model-a-fan
    Member
    from Kentucky

  3. Special Ed
    Joined: Nov 1, 2007
    Posts: 7,967

    Special Ed
    Member

    Wow. You are absolutely dead-on. I'm going to a local cruise here tomorrow evening with my daughter, in my just finished '55 Chevy. Thank you....
     
  4. Codeman
    Joined: Jan 25, 2007
    Posts: 317

    Codeman
    Member
    from SE Mo

    So very true and very well said. :)
     

  5. 49ratfink
    Joined: Feb 8, 2004
    Posts: 18,828

    49ratfink
    Member
    from California

    between the HAMB, ebay and porn I don't have any time left to go outside.
     
  6. FritzTownFord
    Joined: Apr 7, 2007
    Posts: 1,020

    FritzTownFord
    Member

    Well said. Made my day.
     
  7. 55FORDWGN
    Joined: Feb 16, 2009
    Posts: 210

    55FORDWGN
    Member

    I still don't have a cell phone.....................
     
  8. 40StudeDude
    Joined: Sep 19, 2002
    Posts: 9,536

    40StudeDude
    Member

    Well George, I do not have a cell phone...and have no intention of ever buying one...so I'm one up on you...I also don't own an Ipod, have never listed myself on Twitter or Facebook and actually go over to car friend's garages to hang-out...and yep, the reverse is true as well and I still hand write letters and thank you notes. I still do art via pen and ink (I have no idea how to "draw" a line on the computer), I don't have a GPS in my car, I still use those things called "maps" and I don't even own a "current" automobile (my latest (and last) is a 1995).

    But I have made a ton of friends via the HAMB and this computer...so, in essence, it's take the best of both worlds and make it all work for you.

    R-
     
  9. G V Gordon
    Joined: Oct 29, 2002
    Posts: 5,713

    G V Gordon
    Member
    from Enid OK

    Roger, I knew there was something I liked about you. lol
     
  10. Ranunculous
    Joined: Nov 30, 2007
    Posts: 2,465

    Ranunculous
    Member

    Sound advice!
    You ever notice that people;kids especially,remember more of what you did with them,than what you gave them? Time is of the essence!
     
  11. dentprone
    Joined: Apr 11, 2009
    Posts: 122

    dentprone
    Member

    Spot on......thanks for the post
     
  12. excellent read GV , brings to mind something i did not long ago , the wife and i were celebrating another anniversery and i wanted to get her some flowers , well i looked online but didnt really find what i wanted and the thought hit me that i couldnt for the life of me remember the last time i was in a flower shop , so naturally the poor schmuck i am i headed over to the local shop to make my purchase , when i entered the shop i got a funny look from the employees but i paid it know mind as im a greasy tattooed biker and the looks just comes with the territory , anyway after i picked out a nice bouquet i thought the old woman would like and as i was standing at the counter like a dork credit card in hand the girl behind the counter tells me i could have done this online or call the number on the card she handed me.. go figure , i reckon everyone wants to be tuned in cyberspace or with a cell phone straped to their head and avoid human contact..
     
  13. Well stated!!! You are right. I'm going to the Jalopy Showdown Saturday with a bunch of guys...it will be fun...and it gives you the inspiration and new ideas to keep doin what we like to do...have fun with cars, friends and family...life in general. Thanks for the words of wisdom.
     
  14. Jeem
    Joined: Sep 12, 2002
    Posts: 5,882

    Jeem
    Alliance Vendor

  15. That one was right over the fence. I agree 100%. This ole internet can really suck you in.
    I think we become handicapped at dealing with people face to face.
    I'm on it all day because I'm a Computer Aided Drafter. It's easy to pop in and out.
    It can be a real great tool or way to stay in touch and get information but also a real addiction.
     
  16. 1950ChevySuburban
    Joined: Dec 20, 2006
    Posts: 6,187

    1950ChevySuburban
    Member Emeritus
    from Tucson AZ

    Right on! Excellent post! I thank you.
     
  17. HEATHEN
    Joined: Nov 22, 2005
    Posts: 8,560

    HEATHEN
    Member
    from SIDNEY, NY

    You don't have to tell me.....tomorrow moring, it's up and out the door at 2:30 to drive out to the swap meet in Dunkirk.
     
  18. RichG
    Joined: Dec 8, 2008
    Posts: 3,919

    RichG
    Member

    I used to only lurk on this board, right up until December. Stuck in a hospital bed all day, everyday, for two months is what got me to start posting. I spend most of my days in a recliner with my legs elevated, so the computer is my connection to the outside world. I no longer go to work (cannot), so I miss out on those interactions too.

    That said, I still spend time playing with my son, helping my wife around the house, and trying to assist my daughter with her college work. I see so many people on here that fit your description though, it's as if they were never exposed to right or wrong, polite conversation, or the art of disagreeing.

    If I could, I would be outside right now, working on my project car/truck/roadster (I still don't know what it's going to be) enjoying the feel of doing something with my hands.

    Nicely written, by the way:d
     
  19. Grandadeo
    Joined: Dec 24, 2008
    Posts: 1,057

    Grandadeo
    Member

    If I may add another thought to your excellent post:

    I meet a few hot rod buds for breakfast most every Friday morning. One morning one of the guys says he will have to be flying out west to visit an old friend of his. Seems his old friend is battling cancer and does not have long left. He goes on to say, I rarely go to funerals, but I make every effort to visit with folks in this situation before they're gone. Sure made sense to me. I think I'd much rather have friends spend time with me on my way out than have them sign the guest book at the funeral home.

    Lee
     
  20. The best post I have read this year.
     
  21. SinisterCustom
    Joined: Feb 18, 2004
    Posts: 8,277

    SinisterCustom
    Member

    X 1000.

    Thanks GV.....
     
  22. wildoe
    Joined: Oct 18, 2005
    Posts: 29

    wildoe
    Member

    between hamb and midget porn i dont have any time left either not even 4 ebay
     
  23. Mazooma1
    Joined: Jun 5, 2007
    Posts: 13,598

    Mazooma1
    Member

    It should be considered an epidemic. I read not long ago about a guy in Japan who dropped dead after refusing to stop playing some video game for over 70 hours...
    The troubling results from the web-culture generation is that nobody learns the skills of true communication. Whats worse, is that many now regard violence as a solution for disputes as that's how a difference of opinion is resolved in a video game.
    A video game titled "The Art of Negotiation" would be a real poor seller.

    Give me a shade tree, a dirt lot, some old friends and some ice cream any day.
     
  24. RodLand
    Joined: Dec 19, 2005
    Posts: 369

    RodLand
    Member

    I'm not good with words GV, but I can say, well said and well taken. I will be going out side now to ride my bike down to a friends shop. We may get a few projects of the ground, in our mind anyway.
     
  25. 2Loose
    Joined: Nov 9, 2005
    Posts: 405

    2Loose
    Member

    Well, I don't have an "office phone" as my office is my pickup truck. as I do work on large, commercial Ag irrigation systems, my job is in a variety of outdoor locations, and I've been doing this for 42 years now! Before cell phones I knew the location of every pay phone near every job site, and had to drive there to check in with a phone messaging service, call people back and handle my business contacts, something you cannot ignore if you really want to run a competent business....

    The introduction of the cell phone has made an amazing difference in my bizz! I get twice as much done each day, I can communicate with my customers while out on the job or driving between jobs, I can call my customers and discuss what I am finding if they are not nearby, and come to an immediate agreement on what needs to be done and do it!

    The computer has become a great place for me to chase down parts I need to do repairs, upgrades, and new systems; and get them on order and coming in without having to spend lots of time at parts houses or on the phone (mostly pay phones during the day) like I did before. And I can do it in the early, early morning before I head out.

    Other than visiting the HAMB, Chevytalk, or TriFive (I'm a fifties car and truck addict....) I don't have time to sit and play stupid, silly games on the computer, or even chase down porn (not that I'd object to that....) it is a valuable work tool for me!

    I also have a great collection of old rock LP's, and have learned how to convert them to MP3's on this computer. And I load them into my iPod, which I can plug into the stereo on my truck or out in my shop, and rock out to my old LP music while I am driving or working in my shop. My iPod is my jukebox, and I can carry it around with me anywhere. You just won't ever see me with earplugs or headsets listening to my music like the jerks I see everywhere these days. It's my jukebox, and it plays in the truck, the hot rods, the shop, my buddies shops and the house.

    After work, you will find me in my shop or one of my many buddy's shops, and we work on our rigs. There might be as many as half a dozen of us working on a rig if needed. Don't even have to make a phone call, we just know what needs to be done and when, and folks show up. Cold beers all around at the end of a session....

    Don't put down technology, used right, it vastly improves our lives, but it has been overused by far too many useless characters who do not have a clue about how to get a real life!

    Sorry if I vented a little, but I find selective, intelligent application of new technologies to be one of the things that allows humans to advance as a race. Stupid application of technology does just the opposite, and there is a whole lot of that going on these days!

    Aloha,
    2Loose Willy
    *********************
    Built and maintained by me:
    '55 Chevy gasser, blown Olds 425, solid axle oldskool
    '55 Chevy street machine, 396 LT1, T56, FAST control system
    '55 Chevy half ton 4x4, 455 Olds power, 4L80E
    '58 Chevy half ton pro streeter, 502 chevy, th400
    '57 Olds hardtop custom cruzer
    '70 Buick GS 455 quarter miler
    Couple of Panheads
     
    Last edited: May 14, 2009
  26. Roothawg
    Joined: Mar 14, 2001
    Posts: 24,523

    Roothawg
    Member

    GV, I agree. I always leave notes and draw cartoons for my kids. I'll put them in their lunch, on birthday cards etc. My kids actually ask occasionally why I stopped doing it,(They are 14 and 16 now) so I'll take the hint and start again for a while.

    We actually bought one of those white boards for the fridge to list things we need to buy at the store. Nothing ever gets listed because everyone is writing silly stuff on it. It's become a game of sorts for everyone.

    I think once the kids move on I may just regress back to 1984 and stay there.
     
  27. elgrasso
    Joined: May 4, 2009
    Posts: 4

    elgrasso
    Member
    from the lc

    BEAUTIFUL , well said boss.
     
  28. LOL, we did the same thing. I think it got used for its original purpose once, little love notes ever since.

    This is the best thread I've ever read on the HAMB hands down. Everyone on here should read it.
     
  29. hotrodladycrusr
    Joined: Sep 20, 2002
    Posts: 20,765

    hotrodladycrusr
    Member

    There is a happy medium between the two worlds and I struggle every day to walk that line. I couldn't do my job as affectively without a computer and the internet. It actually allows me to make more money in a shorter period of time which allows me to spend more time and money playing with Big Olds and my car friends. I couldn't be happier.

    Like some on here I don't have an Ipod, GPS, game system, or anything like that. I don't text either, I perfer to pick up the phone and talk to people to communicate although I do PM and email. Because of emails/PMs I find that I stay in touch with friends that I wouldn't normally talk to on a regular bases. I suppose that I could text them and get the same results BUT I find that ALOT of people text during the most inappropriate times and I find it very annoying. I'm avoiding texting out of shear stubborness I'm sure.:D

    Very rarely do I ever buy anything online and only do so if I can't find it locally. I'm a firm believer in supporting my local commmunity whenever possible. I will drive past 3 or 4 "box stores" to visit a mom & pop nursery to buy my flowers this spring.

    Yep, there's a grey line between the two "worlds" and everyone has to find where they are comfortable walking and hopefully with guidance from parents and teachers, children/teens nowdays can find that line and not be too much over to one extreme.

    BTW, I still have shoeboxes full of "love letters" from my very first boyfriend and that was 33 years ago BUT nowdays I don't save cards and letters no matter how much I like/love the person....go figure.


    :eek:That is NOT how I've had you pictured all this time.:D
     
  30. 61TBird
    Joined: Mar 16, 2008
    Posts: 2,640

    61TBird
    Member

    [​IMG]
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Jun 1, 2014

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