Heads up, this content is 19 years old. Please keep its age in mind while reading.
Impulsive Sarah: Close your eyes, plug your nose, and swallow. You’ll thank me when it’s over.
Without checking in with my rational side, I just bought plane tickets and conference tickets to BlogHer 2007 — a weekend conference in Chicago at the end of this month. I’ve been before and I know it’s amazing, relevant, inspiring, and valuable.
Rational Sarah: But I’ve taken two trips in the last three months already!
Impulsive Sarah: I don’t want to hear it. We’re going.
Rational Sarah: But I have work!
Impulsive Sarah: It’s a *weekend*!
Rational Sarah: But I can’t afford it!
Impulsive Sarah: Nonsense. It will improve your productivity this summer, it’s relevant to your work, and it’s tax deductible. And besides, I think you’re lying.
Rational Sarah: But… but… !
Impulsive Sarah: Who’s the rational one *now*?
Rational Sarah: Um… Uh… Can I at least spend the flight conceptually restructuring my office workflow?
Impulsive Sarah: Deal.
Posted in My Projects, Personal, The Creative Life | 
3 Comments » | July 5th, 2007
Heads up, this content is 19 years old. Please keep its age in mind while reading.
When the Internet became widespread, everything changed. Suddenly you could answer any trivia question in less than thirty seconds. You could send a letter and receive a response to it in the same day. You could market yourself to an international audience for free. You could carry on real-time text-based conversations with anyone anywhere in the world without long-distance fees. You got carpal tunnel syndrome. You became impatient. You forgot to go outside.
When cell phones became widespread, everything changed. Suddenly “being on call” for work or family no longer meant being tethered to a landline. You could get quick roadside assistance when you got a flat tire, anywhere. You could leave personal voicemails without fear of the wrong person hearing them. You could have a conversation with anyone anywhere in the country without long-distance fees. You hated rural areas because you couldn’t get a signal. Your lover became obsessive about checking in. You became obnoxious in public.
Now, cell phones with Internet are becoming widespread, and everything is changing. Suddenly you can check your email while you are crossing the street. You can blog (and post pictures of) what you’re doing while you’re doing it, and get immediate feedback on it from friends across the planet. You no longer need to ask for directions. You can answer any trivia question in less than thirty seconds while out for dinner with friends. You can have a voice conversation with anyone anywhere in the world without long-distance fees. You get into more car accidents. You perceive a half-hour delay in communication as a sign that your friend is tired of you. You stop paying attention to what’s actually happening right next to you altogether. You justify this by saying that you can’t be expected to do everything at once.
Posted in Technology | 5 Comments » | July 2nd, 2007