From Ice age to the 21st century in one weekend

(Or how "The Man" always gets his way)

Contrary to popular belief (of those who know me in the avatar-less world) I am not a luddite. Nor am I a neo-luddite. I am not anti-technology. It's not that I don't believe in technology. I programmed back when it was "basic", back when the computer always came up as the dos prompt. I've posted entries from the PC, the Mac Mini and the laptop. I am not opposed to “progress” in particular or in general. I can’t even be called old fashioned. Any old rancher could tell you “your only worth what you owe”. Unless someone was willing to extend you credit (on capitol, your good name, or your reputation) you weren’t worth much. It’s true today too. Unless you’ve had debt you have no credit rating…and in our society that means you don’t exist. Which was fine with me for a long time. If I couldn’t afford it I didn’t need it. That was that. I even bought my car for cash. Never had debt, never had a credit card. As I became older, and our society became more paranoid , I became more paranoid. And it became less about what was right (spending only what I had) and more about personal control*. I did NOT need society’s formula for life. I didn’t need a pager or a cell phone. I don’t WANT to be interrupted by a phone. If I was expecting a call or wanted to make one (I know this is odd, but) I would be by a phone. Besides I don’t want to be found just anywhere by just anyone.

*Years ago I use to pull the Security thread: vertical strip the plastic that’s embedded in the paper spelling out the denomination in tiny print. I didn’t want the government knowing where I spent my money. If I wanted to be on your radar I’d have a credit card.

I believe you only need so much. Upgrade because you need it, not for the flash. My car is still the 91 Escort. And I guess it would have made sense to have a credit card and cell phone when I was using that old car for work. But now that I no longer travel for a living, I don't even drive anymore, and NOW I have a cell phone?
R wanted me to have one. Mostly because, I think, we are (eventually) going to ditch the landline. But I still resisted. I wanted a camera. I wanted something small that I could take with me so I could take pictures of the random crazy stuff I see everyday. I wanted it for you dear reader. Anyway he said a phone will do that. I said it wouldn't be good enough. Boy was I wrong. They had me at "It's a camera". So it makes and receives phone calls too...So? So it emails and web browses...So? Alright so I got a camera. And that is what I'll call it. I didn't give in, I didn't!
Now if I could just figure out a way to rename this credit card I just broke down and got.