It isn't until I leave to a different strand of life that I realize how connected to "The Grid" I really am. As a professorial geek, I typically spend my life blogging, tweeting, texting (not so much), Toodledo-ing my todo list for the day, signing in with 4square, grading papers online, writing and continually refining the online resources for my classes. lt is all just part of my life. It's not until I go to a place where this is not accessible that I realize how intergral begin "on the grid" is to my life.
This first became apparent when I took a week-long mountain biking trek in Utah. I consciously left behind my phone and computer and anything electronic except a flashlight. It was liberating. I lived my life for myself and didn't worry about having to share it with anyone except my colleague bikers.
Recently, I traveled with a team of UNI grad students to the Flat Classroom Conference in Beijing where it was all about technology, but I kind of dropped off the grid for a little while. I didn't buy a local phone or sim card so I didn't have phone access. I was online with my laptop, but didn't find the time to blog our adventures for my readers and professional colleagues (sorry about that.) There was just too much to do and see for me spend extra time trying to sound literate through social media. Good thing our students did such a wonderful job of blogging, vlogging and skyping with the public about our travels. (explore links to their wise writings.)
Vicki Davis talks about how we need a break from the grid during Spring Break in her posting Be There. She says that we need to "Rest, Relax and Reach Out." I couldn't agree with her more. I can't say that I was really Off the Grid over our spring break, but when I returned to my new office at UNI it took a few days to get back into the swing of things. This means that I actually stopped thinking about work for a few days.
I have been back for about a month and am trying to get back on the grid. This Saturday morning I decided to go to Panera's coffee shop to spend a few hours writing and reconnecting with the world. Some of the postings I will make this week and others will be stockpiled as timeless pontification that will be used for a myriad of opportunities in the near future. (wow, pontification and myriad in the same sentence - how pedantic is that?)
I truly hope that you aren't reading this from your Blackberry while driving down the 605 freeway. I hope that you are enjoying this with a cup of java (or drink of your choice) while pondering the meaning of life.
Take care of yourself. You can Work Less and Produce More
I am happy to report that Dr. Z is back "On the Grid" again - for now. =-)
What do you do to maintain your sanity?
