Call Waiting:
Are you old enough to recall needing spare change in your pocket in case you had to use a public pay phone? Do you remember when the only way to identify who was on the other end of the phone was to answer it? How about that 4-inch thick white (or yellow) book that was so necessary because how else could you possible get in touch with someone else?
My kids, bless their hearts, still love the paper maps of States that somehow still reside in the door pocket of my car. Yet, it is their affection for geography rather than an actual need for that map that compels them to insist that I offer said maps a Stay of Execution when cleaning out my car. In essence, they beg my pardon so I may pardon the maps. Fair enough, as even Mapquest, so can’t-live-without a few years ago, is so yesterday’s news when we all use Google Maps or Waze to navigate our vehicles now.
Before you readers get the notion that I’m rhapsodizing about days-gone-by, please note that I logged many protests to my parents as to why I was the one required to get up and select one of the two other available channels on the TV when my dad wanted to watch something else. The vision of a remote control was far removed from my mind when the TV only had three options (a fourth was sometimes available if the rabbit ears pointed north on a non-windy day).
So, modern technology sure can be a good thing, huh? While my future technology vision was never to be confused with Mark Zuckerberg, can I dare dream for another technological advancement to solve a thorny set of problems that replaced the last ones?
You see, a while ago, I used to play basketball in a league in Brookfield on Monday nights - (before I go on, the astute readers amongst you will have already noticed my wording was in the past tense) – we were a motley collection of basketball vagabonds who against all odds, stayed competitive with our much younger adversaries. Each year required us to employ an ever-greater emphasis of our brainpower as we lessened the role of our aging legs. Alas, Father Time had a very strict curfew and when 45 reared its head, we realized that our fast-twitch muscles were slow-motion mode. Minor aches and pains turned into “do you think it’s broken” type questions.
But it wasn’t just limited to the basketball court. Somewhere in the last decade (+), everything about me moved from being cast as a must-have leading man to a nice-to-have character actor; I can round out the movie, but not carry it. I am no longer viewed by my kids as a super hero with x-ray vision, nerves of steel, and boundless capabilities. The lenses they now wear color me as the master of the car keys and source of Uncle Sam’s currency.
Mind you, I’m not about to retrace the steps of Ponce de Leon in search of the fountain of youth, but honestly, like a cool fall breeze, this life transition was felt, but never seen. Is there an App for something like this?
by Lee Clement posted 02/01/2022
