Can You Unplug?

Do you remember the time when the most famous games are Monopoly, Checkers, Snakes and Ladders, and Scrabble? And the words “games” and “play” means an intense activity and sweating outside the house.

I remember the time when my day isn’t complete without going outside the house and play with my friends, especially on summer. Summer is the best thing because I can be outside the house and play the whole day. My skin was dark and my scent smells like an old used sock.

I have never felt so healthier than those days. I play and run like my feet never get tired.

I also remember playing characters and imitating what we watch in the movies and TV such as superheroes.

I remember our rubber slippers do not last for two months.

I also remember improvising a communication gadget with two cans and a string.

G.I. Joes and Transformers action figures are the new things, not a collectibles.

We watch Gobots, Scoobydoo, The Mask, He-Man, Thundercats every Saturday.

But now, things have changed… drastically.

Words “games” and “play” will mean sitting in front of the computer.

Now, you search with Google, not with directories anymore.

And when you search for board games on Google, words “online” always follows.

Today, being with friends means texting and hanging out on chat rooms and Facebook.

And when you mean friends today, you didn’t met them from school and neighbors. It’s either you “Invite” them or “Follow” them.

Before, cartoon characters are played through action figures and role-playing. Today, they are played through online or video games.

 

Before, war games mean having a toy gun. Now, it means Counter Strike.

I really pity today’s generation because they haven’t experienced what we did in those days.

Even us became victims too.

With all these technologies, we can’t get through a day without a cellphone and Facebook too.

Not only we became addicted to it. We also made it became a necessity.

Ever since I got married (two years ago), I slowed down on using cellphones, dramatically. My cellphone has now became my alarm clock in the morning. I even told my wife last night that I miss hearing my text alert.

And even though I travel with my laptop and cellphone, I still can live through the day with a guitar and good books.

How bout you? Can you live a day without a cellphone and Internet?

This post is an inspired response to National Day of Unplugging. It is for giving up technology for the whole day starting from sunset of March 23 to sunset of March 24 2012.

 

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