Tag Archives: internet

How do I get off the internet?

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One of the hardest hardest hardest HARDEST things I deal with, when wanting to focus on songwriting, is fighting to stay OFF the internet and free from distractions.

Yes, I’ve got a nice little room in our house that is solely devoted to this craft. And, yes, I’ve got time to get this done. BUT, I have tools on my computer that I use for writing and recording. And, hello? The wi-fi reaches to the studio, y’all…

I briefly considered wrapping the whole room in tin-foil, but that seemed a bit… metallic.

So, I did some digging and discovered a nice little thingy that will block all my fave sites for as long as I tell it to.

And, y’all, even if you close the web-browser, and then pull it back up, those blocked sites will STILL be inaccessible!

For.

Hours.

So you better think twice before you decide how long you want to block your favorite sites.

What is this fun tool, you ask? It’s called “Concentrate” and I know it works like magic on Google Chrome. I’m sure there’s also an extension for you Firefox lovers who are still fighting off the Chrome bug. ;) (resistance is futile)

So, all you other junkies: how do you get off the internet?

Reason #1 why I don’t want an iPhone.

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I saw this commercial recently and thought, “Thanks, Verizon. You confirmed my hesitations to get a smartphone.”

I know, I know. I’m a techie. I’m all into the internet and gadgets and such. If I ever break down and get an iPhone or a Droid my life will quickly become out of control. I have a hard enough time putting my mac down… Imagine if I could take those capabilities with me wherever I went. I know better than to give myself that ease of access.

Because, I’m also into solitude. I’m also into unplugging at the beach. I’m also into weekend getaways where I can actually get away.

And I’m also into quality time – really engaging in face-to-face relationships with people who are right here right now. I know better than to send a quick text to one of my favorite funny friends before I go into a lunch mentor meeting. The phone would beep “text” and I would die from trying NOT to pick up the phone and read what they sent.

In some ways, I think we have forsaken the “now” for the sake of the “next” – next phone call – next email – next funny thing on twitter – next person who wants our attention through our gadget. What about the now? What about the person sitting across the table from us?

Let’s admit it: Sometimes we can be downright rude to the person we’ve invited to spend some time with us.

And, yeah, let’s admit this as well: It is SO HARD to step away from the gadgets. SO HARD.

How good are you at stepping away and unplugging? At giving attention to relationships? Why do you think this struggle is so hard for people like us?

Don’t believe everything you see on the internet…

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Do you think this pic is real? or a fake? I spent a good chunk of time thinking about this photo the other night. It’s been all over the internet lately – some of you have probably already seen it.

Anyway, the irony is shocking. So shocking that I wondered whether or not it’s actually legit.

What do you think?

(not sure where this came from – I think it’s on facebook somewhere – wish I could give credit – just know I didn’t take the photo)

***********************

New credit here, thanks J.P.:

http://consumerist.com/2010/06/if-only-bp-would-follow-the-advice-on-its-own-signs.html

I flipped my blog.

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This change has been in the works for some time now – at least in my mind… I’ve wanted to have a more “website-ish” feel to the blog, so I could aggregate music and musings, all at the same time.

So. In honor of the sun shining a bit brighter in my life these days, welcome to the new-and-improved mandythompson.com. Tadaaaaa!

I’m feeling a bit new-and-improved as well. :)

What about you?