Jackie Wells-Fauth
That’s right, the English teacher has now been reduced to using the word ain’t; something I always swore to my students I would never do! But in this extreme instance, I feel strong words are appropriate.
Roy and I are in the exciting throes of planning a vacation. We have been semi-planning this vacation for about ten years. But now, we’re serious. We are using travel experts and high technology to put this thing together.
The only problem? We both struggle somewhat with high technology. And usually, I will bow to Roy’s opinion because for the most part, he understands the whole system much better than I do.
Until now. In the particular argument we are in, I am positive that I am right, and he is wrong. I refuse to tell you what the argument is about, for fear that you will agree with him and I will have to step down from my moral high ground and apologize. It’s happened before!
We argued it out until both of us were reduced to our standard conclusion. “Fine, you’re right I suppose. I never am right about these things,” I pouted.
“You could be right, I honestly don’t know for sure,” was his response, trying to be fair. “I don’t pretend to understand everything about technology.”
In the end, we did what we always do; we consulted with our IT people. By that I mean, we called our daughters. They couldn’t really understand our issue by an explanation over the phone, but I know they were inclined to think neither one of us was completely right. After all, they understand better than most how limited their parents’ abilities in this area are.
Believing that I am right about this issue instead of my husband who is better-informed technologically, gave me an entirely new attitude. Perhaps I can bank online! It might be possible to set up apps on my phone! There are so many things that I could do so much more easily if I just set my mind to learning more about technology.
Except for the fact that I have a 1950s mind trying to deal with technology that out-stripped my understanding and ability long ago. However, my daughter has frequently chided me, “You are smart enough to handle technology. You just don’t have the confidence to try.”
She may be right. I might understand more than I think. After all, I managed to get myself from a land line phone to a cell phone. I can even text. I know how to do Facebook, and I can balance my checkbook online. With this new victory over technology, maybe there is nothing I can’t do.
With a boldness uncommon for me in the tech world, I set about putting a new app on my phone to be used for vital communications. I got it all set up; I even got an e-mail congratulating me on the successful installation of my new app. Then, I went to the app to make use of it. It asked for my e-mail, which I proudly put in from memory. The next question: What is your password. Password? I was supposed to remember what I used for a password ten days ago? Maybe I’m not ready yet.
Not many others think I’m ready for it either, and with good cause. A former student spent some time helping me with some online work the other day. I was just in admiration of the way she could jump from thing to thing and maneuver around on the computer.
“I just can’t believe how easily you do that,” I told her. “I am just no good with technology.”
Before she could stop herself, she gave a snorting laugh. Trying to pull herself up and be polite, she said, “I guess after three years in your classes, I did know that Mrs. Fauth.” She was right. I have always thought my classes were informative and useful, but they were definitely not high-tech.
And that leads me to a new worry: What if I’m wrong about this tech disagreement between Roy and me? What if we’re both wrong? After all, tech experts we ain’t!
dropsinthewell 