20 Days Without a PC


After reading an article about a PC World writer who goes without a PC for twenty days, I was inspired to try it out for myself. The question is…how?

Unlike the writer, I am not doing this for a good story but rather for my own benefit. I spend countless hours in front of a computer. In fact, I would be willing to estimate that I spend well over a third of the time I’m awake using a computer. Yes, it really is that bad. Ask my girlfriend about my email addiction. I respond to emails in *seconds*. I have every aspect of my life connected to the slickest Web 2.0 gizmos and open-source gadgets and spend each waking moment contemplating the latest computer news story or beta testing the newest product or…. Is this really what life’s all about?

This holiday break I am going to Costa Rica with my family. I think this would be the perfect opportunity to unplug. Granted, it is somewhat of a cop-out period to do this experiment since I will be on vacation. You have to start somewhere. I might be thousands of miles away from home, but I’d find a way to get my computer fix.

I am trying to think of everything this experiment will impact. No more DVD’s on my media center. I’ll have to contact my advisor via phone about my non-existant progress on my masters project. Eek - that’s going to be a sore subject. I’ll miss many important emails from work regarding the plans for my trip to India. However, I think I can do this.

My last final is on December 20th. I leave for Costa Rica on the 31st and will be gone for a week or so. Classes start back up on January 16th. If I stop using the computer December 20th at midnight, I can (hold on - let me check Google Calendar)….start using computers again on January 9th at midnight. Perfect! That gives me just under a week to catch up before classes start. No sweat! I will try to keep a written journal of my daily thoughts during this time.
The only problem I’m anticipating will be uploading pictures I take during my vacation. I think it’s fair to allow my father or someone else to do this for me so I can continue taking pictures.

December 21st is just around the corner and I have to start exporting my life to analog ASAP. I announced my plans to my roommate and he said, “You’re not going to last.” With that said, let the games begin!

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December 10th, 2006
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Comment Number:
1
Written by:
Derek
Posted on:
December 11, 2006 at 11:47 am

I’m sorry Ben, but smart money’s on someone finding you rocking back and forth responding to phantom emails on a keyboard that doesn’t exist.

Comment Number:
2
Written by:
Dan
Posted on:
December 19, 2006 at 5:39 am

“December 21st is just around the corner and I have to start exporting my life to analog ASAP.”

Hahaha! =) Wish you the best in this bud. I know exactly what you mean.

Comment Number:
3
Written by:
Randy C (GA, USA)
Posted on:
December 19, 2006 at 5:31 pm

I wonder where in Costa Rica you will be? I am a Costarrican myself, and I can say you may want to hit the “Cafe Internet” as they are called locally in C.R. for your Fix of great Costarrican Coffee and your favorite: “Internet” on Kiosks (or better known as Pentium II computers with internet).

Due to the lack of wealth, Costa Rica has found the solution to communicating the world with them is creating Internet spots where you can access the internet (Cyber Cafes).

I know I am encouraging you to get your fix while down there, but I enjoyed your post and am deeply concerned about you missing anything important about your classes. ;>)

I wish you the best of luck and if you need any information on what to do down there contact me.

By the way It’s summer down there so do not expect to much cold. Just tropical rain.

Have Fun and don’t forget to say: “Pura Vida” while you are down there.
(local term used constantly for hello or in response to a hello. TRANSLATION: “Pure Life”)

More Slang Terms:
Tuanis (”Cool”)
Mae (”Dude”)
Una Teja (local 100 coin)
Un Rojo (local 1000 Bill)
Un Tucan (local 5000 Bill)

Cheers,

Randy C. (”El Tico Gringo”)