I think back to how far I've come since the days of the little pink diary with the tiny key (which I hid in plain sight in my jewelry box - who would think to look there?) that I got for my birthday when I was ten. I tried journalling several times in my life, but I could never stick with it. I certainly never did a hundred entries, even when I was a teenager, and I was so convinced that I had the most dramatic life ever.
I think I know why blogging is different for me than journalling. It's the feedback. Even though I write whatever I want, and usually it's random stuff rattling around in my head, there's something about knowing that someone else is reading it that makes me feel better. I don't think it's a coincidence that I got interested in both reading and writing blogs around the time I lost my job and thus my daily connection with the outside world. Even on my worst day, I have been able to count on the fact that someone will read my ramblings and take a moment out of their day to make a comment, even if it's just to say hello.
That moment of connection means so much to me. I've said it before, but one of things that troubles me is how isolated I think we're becoming in this country. Increasingly, people don't live near their extended family; they don't know their neighbors; children spend time with computers instead of friends; even friends text instead of talk.
But here, in blog world, people are connecting. I'm both amazed and grateful.
So, in honor of my amazement, I'm having a contest!!!! With a prize!!!!
I'm not telling what the prize is (because I still haven't mailed poor Joanie's prize from my last contest, and it's the same thing! I promise to mail this one, and Joanie's, on Friday. I swear.) But it's a good prize. Ask Hallie, if you don't believe me - she knows what it is.
Here's the deal: I think that the internet is one of the most amazing inventions of my lifetime, which got me to thinking about all the other things that have really changed the world since I was born. I've come up with a list:
The 5 top inventions of my lifetime, in my opinion:
- Personal computers
- Cell phones
- The internet
- DNA technology
- Global Positioning Systems (GPS)
I'll take comments through Thursday, and use one of those random number generators to pick the winner. Winner will be announced on Friday. Come play with me!!!!
33 comments:
Haha! I figured you were waiting for your 100th post to send it, since you mentioned both prizes were the same. I wouldn't have told! Would have been fun to tease everyone with knowing what they might win!
Birth control pills... an amazing invention. One I apparently didn't bother to use since I have 3 kids instead of the 2 we had planned.
In our lifetime - the internet - otherwise, I wouldn't be able to read your super blog! Of all time - probably electricity - otherwise, we wouldn't have any of the other great inventions (what would power them?)
Have a great day! Congrats on 100 posts!
Well, I'm olderish, so my time includes the computer and the internet. I think they are both amazing!
AND Congratulations!!!!
Geeze, needed more coffee before I commented.
I am not sure I would agree that the cell phone is a great invention. The regular phone - absolutely. The cell phone? I don't know. It used to be nice to be out of touch once in a while. :)Now I can't get away - I always have that cell phone. Things seem so much more urgent nowadays because they can be, not neccesarily because they are more urgent than they were 20 years agao. Having said all this, I hate it when I don't have my cell phone with me!
I agree, our society is so out of touch on a personal level. Text messages and emails can easily be misinterpreted.
I have to agree with Joanie M. - The birth control pill was an amazing invention. Also, modern medicine overall. It is so wonderful that breast cancer isn't the death sentence that it once was.
Congrats on 100 posts. I am happy that others get to enjoy the ME that I have enjoyed and loved for years. You rock, girlfriend!
For me, it's THE GARAGE DOOR OPENER! I LOVE it more than any other posession. Why? Unloading 6 kids in the weather stinks! My favorite invention! WOO HOO!
1. The computer (it expedited many day-to-day business functions)
2. The Internet (It has revolutionized commerce and human communications like none other. Thanks Al Gore!)
3. The printing press. Without it no books. I mean, come on!
4. The laser. CDs, DVDs, new surgical advances...
5. The light bulb
I think the best invention is the ice cube dentures I read about in someone's post yesterday. Those things are hilarious! Congrats on the 100...I wonder what number I am on?
I, for one, loved it when someone invented the 8 track tape player! I know I still have mine around here somewhere!
I loved it even better when that grew into all the other media playing equipment, cassette players, then CD players, now the MP3, or what ever everyone has hanging out of their ears now. I kind of stopped at the "Walkman". Call me old, you wouldn't be lying!
I just think it is wonderful that a person can take their favorite tunes with them where ever they go!
Happy 100th! I'm glad you started blogging, it has been a genuine pleasure to get to know you!
I didn't know I'd have to THINK to enter your contest!! Dangit!
Inventions... hmmm...
1. Electronic Networking- I wanted to include blogging, message boards, Facebook, and all that. While some think it feels disconnected... I feel very much connected! I've reconnected with old friends, made new ones, and stayed connected with those far from me. I've made friends in my city, on the other side of the country, and on the other side of the planet! I also think it has vastly changed my parenting knowledge, education and experience.
2. Microwave- I don't know if I could get by without mine.
3. Air Conditioning- Didn't have it growing up and LOVE having it now. Not a necessity but certainly a niceity!
4. Camera- I love my DSLR. And I love the history of cameras. And I love the history preserved in images. And I love the moments captured in that flash.
5. Post It Notes- I now work for 3M (they bought the company I've spent the last decade working for) so I'm a little biased. But, like the microwave, penicillin, and super glue, Post Its were invented by accident. I love the story of Post It Notes and I love using Post It Notes. So I'll say those sticky little slips of paper that are horrible for the environment is the last of my fave inventions.
For me, it changes according to each stage of my life. Early on it was a car; now I wish I didn't have to use one. Then it was Tom Selleck and birth control - unfortunately, each completely unrelated to the other for me. Then it was epidurals and later it was antibiotics for my kids. Then it was the internet, and just when I thought the internet would make me a hermit, blogging came along. So maybe the greatest invention for me is change??
top five inventions/discoveries ever:
the wheel
the internal combustion engine
antibiotics
vaccines
atomic fusion
I've been thinking about this, trying to decide "The Greatest Invention of All Time."
I keep coming back to indoor plumbing. No more family outhouses. No more human refuse flowing in the streets. Regular bathing. Convenient water for drinking and cooking. Hot water containers conveniently accessed from indoors. Wow, the benefits just keep piling up!
After that, my list is harder to narrow down to just a top 5. Computers. The Internet. The corkscrew. Cordless tools. Excedrin.
OK. I guess I'll stop there.
No laughing, but I LOVE the Mr. Clean Magic Eraser and think it's invention was nothing short of a miracle.
Aside from the internet, my top invention is the DVR. Seriously, I don't know how I could go without one now, even if I did forget to record my son's much loved wrestling last night!
1. The microwave - I can't cook without it.
2. Tivo - I can't even remember how recording on a VCR felt like.
3. iPod - Although I still make mix CDs I do love my iPod.
4. The Internet - I go through withdrawal without it...although it does make other things obsolete like phone books and card catlogues, which I think people should know about.
5. The written word - since I love books this is huge! :)
Congratulations on your 100th post! Thanks for inviting me over to join in! :)
Mine is an invention I am waiting on...a pill that absorbs all of the fat and calories from your favorite foods. I don't think I am asking too much.
OMG, I'm a little older than you, my dear ME, so for me it's: Microwave ovens, VCR's (etc.), calculators, cell phones, video cameras, digital cameras and Peanut Buster Parfaits !!
Congrats on 100 !
congratulations... of course computers and net and cell phones... and microwave pop corn and front wheel drive and digital cameras, central heat and air, rechargeable batteries, blogging :) and bandaids that dont remove the skin they are attached to when you RIP em off! oh and UV gel NAILS LOL
YAY M.E. on your 100th post. Congratulations!!
greatest inventions:
sliced bread
the home espresso maker
spreadable butter
low-fat peanut butter....
see where I'm going here??
I've been thinking and thinking about this because we live in such amazing times. But the thing that has had the most impact on my life is E-Mail. My husband and I courted via e-mail--we still have all of our fights via e-mail. When my youngest was brand new, I started sending out regular columns via e-mail about my life as a mom and that led to an entire career as a writer and my book! (Of course, if there were no c-sections, I would have died in childbirth and I wouldn't BE a mother so there's also that.)
Couple greatest I think of for ALL time would be electricity, computers, and antibiotics. There a are a few others, but those are pretty important.
Two things that were invented in 2008 I think would be neat to try are bionic contacts and an invisibility cloak. :)
Congrats on the 100 posts!
Yay for 100!!
1. Tampons
2. Lip gloss
3. Spanx
4. The internet
5. Snickers candy bars
Mary Ellen's apple pie...even better than my Mom's and I have informed both of them of this. To give my Mom credit, she makes the World's Best cheese cake. I guess that makes them my two favorite food inventions of all time!
Totally the drive-through window!!!!!
YAYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY! 100 posts! Love em all!!! xoxoxox
Congrats on your 100th!
1. Tampons
2. Color TV
3. Frozen mochas
4. TiVo-type recording
5. George Clooney!
Happy 100! You are right that feedback makes all the difference. It helps to feel connected.
Ug!!! Why have I not been here before today? Is it too late?
My invention. Hmmmm. I wish there were something to actually make kids listen to parents who have BEEN THERE, and KNOW what we are talking about. Or there was a law that made kids go to college. Or, there was an invention you could implant in your kids brain that MADE them not disobey (I spelled that wrong, right?) you.
But in my time of inventions, they walked on the moon, brought on computers, cell phones, plasma TV's, CD's, DVD's, etc.
Congrats on the 100 posts. I keep tossing around the idea of doing my own blog, but I KNOW I couldn't come up with 100 posts in that many years!!
Greatest invention of all time? Yes, computers, the Internet, air conditioning, birth control pills,phones, printing press, ball point pens, microwaves, refrigerators - all are wonderful invention, but push come to shove, I could get along without them.
But toilet paper - no way could I do without it. Just can't see using any alternative form. I've had to try it, but face it, they just don't grow leaves big enough in Wisconsin! Or strong enough!
And I, too, am waiting for a fat absorbing pill! Then the toilet paper/leaves wouldn't have to come in the extra extra large size!
Sue in WI
ME, CONGRATS on your 100th post! You have certainly done an upstanding job jumping feet first into the blog world!
The internet and my digital camera are pretty cool. I got a electronic type writer for my HS graduation in 85 and I thought I was the "cat's ass"! My kids are like, "what is a typewriter?" I am sure I will think of more things tonight. Oh, here's a good invention you might like for your sore muscles, icy hot stick on pads. I have been using them this week since I started playing in an adult softball league. OUCH!
Yay for the internet and getting to read you wonderful BLOG!!!!!!!!!!!!
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