When I arrived at the Drop Zone early this morning, I saw a young Russian man sitting inside the lounge talking to his mother on his iPad, using Skype or FaceTime, I'm not sure which. But he chatted away in Russian for quite awhile before beginning his day in the sky. Video chatting has given us the ability to talk with our family members in the most unlikely places! I talk with Norma Jean three times a week, for a couple of hours at a time, and I hardly remember what it was like when we were relegated to simple voice conversations.
Everybody has a cellphone these days. I remember when I learned that if I got one, and Smart Guy had one, we could talk to each other in our cars! It was such a revelation. I recall asking a friend whether if we were both in our cars, we could actually dial our numbers and TALK? Now it's just a normal part of my day.
My friend Holly's husband went to REI last week looking for a fanny pack and tried out quite a few. He would put his wallet and cellphone in to see how they fit, and he inadvertently left his cellphone in one. After he got home and realized that he didn't have his cellphone, he went back to REI and searched through all the fanny packs looking for it. No luck. So then he went home and got on his iPad and used the "Find My iPhone" app. (He downloaded it after my unfortunate theft on Christmas Eve.) Well, lo and behold, it showed that it was in a home in Bellingham; they had his iPhone! Address and even the location in the home. He went there and knocked on the door.
"Hi! Did you just buy a fanny pack at REI?" The woman looked at him dubiously and replied, "why yes I did."
"Well, I think my iPhone is in there. I left it by mistake." She went inside and pulled out the pack and looked inside. You know what was there: the missing iPhone. Is that a fantastic outcome or what? I was so pleased to know that I can now see where all my Mac items are at any time (iPad, iMac, and MacBook Air) by just looking at the application from any one of them. That's why I called this post "Our changing world" -- I cannot believe how much my life has changed in just the past decade.
But the one constant is that I am STILL jumping out of airplanes for fun. It's been 22 years now and I'm still enjoying myself, every time.
:-)
Fabulous about the retrieved electronic item!
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful view from the sky! You can see almost to Brier, where I live.
You are so right. It's hard to imagine how fast our world is changing but I'm enjoying it. Sometimes I have to run faster to keep up but I wouldn't have it any other way. Life would be boring & I certainly don't want that.
ReplyDeleteThat is such a cool story about the found phone! I am going to have to get that app, so I can find my stuff if I lose them!
ReplyDeleteI'm finding it so much easier to use the laptop instead of the ipad. I'm just not used to it, so I don't even think to pick it up.
Your cell phone story reminded me of one that shows how un-techie I am. We had our cell phones for years before I realized I could use the home phone to call one of the girls on their cell when they were away from home. I thought it would be a long distance charge. I think Jess was in Bellingham before I realized I didn't have to use my cell phone to call her!! Pretty bad!
Oh the times they are a changing!
smiles...i am glad you are still having fun...and so cool that he found the phone using the app...pretty crazy how connected we have become to our phones and that connection...i think sometimes it is not that great because people expect to be able to reach you at any time now...
ReplyDeleteYes, it is changing very fast. I loved the iPhone story. I also have the Find My Phone app. It is great. So far, I've not had to use it for a dramatic way as your friend did, but it is nice to know it would work.
ReplyDeleteMy granddaughter will send me a text and say, "Want to do Facetime?" I just love it!
The people that had your phone must have been shocked to see you knew where your phone was. How funny!
ReplyDeleteSome day soon maybe i-pads will be free. Or thowaways.
Oops, that was meant to say throw aways.
ReplyDeletePretty cool post....yep a changing world...glad your friend found his phone...and thanks for mentioning the app. Happy jumping!
ReplyDeleteyou are fabulous. :)
ReplyDeletei'd have been freaked out if i was the woman who bought the fanny pack.
One of the big changes is that things are available to us. Techn ology gives us the phones and apps to find our phones! The economy gives us the opportunity to sky dive.
ReplyDeleteWe have to have the will to use these opportunities or not.
Great post with lots to think about.
I'm happy to hear there was a good outcome. My granddaughter downloaded the same app after hers was stolen at the Tennessee Aquarium, it has an alarm that won't shut off once activated, and also the GPS 'where I'm at' feature...cool eh !
ReplyDeleteYour sky diving ventures truly amaze me, you go girl :)
~Jo
I love the changes in the phones and laptops, even if I don't know how to do half the things I could do with them. Well, let's be honest, probably a tenth! I even saw how they can skype people to weddings and funerals who live too far away to be there! What a changing world. We are living in the science fiction of 50 years ago--but better. ;)
ReplyDeleteGlad you are still jumping out of planes and climbing mountains, too!! :)
I'm not sure why anyone would voluntarily jump out of an airplane the working perfectly. There are some things a Bear cannot understand.
ReplyDeleteVariations on a theme. I could not find my cell phone today. So I called it from my land line. The cell phone was hiding on my desk. But you already now how to do that.
I have a Mac Notebook Pro. Before that I had an iPad. An iPad does not make a good primary computer. Hence the new Notebook. The technology is so sophisticated, it is almost frightening. Especially for a Bear.
Interesting tale. I am glad he was able to retrieve his phone. You are so physically fit, DJan. Keep it up!
ReplyDeleteThis is all amazing! From finding your phone to you jumping out of airplanes! Four jumps today! Wow.
ReplyDeleteI love that he could retrieve his phone. I love even more that you are still having fun doing something that curdles my stomach. And that you can share some amazing photos of said fun. Thank you. Lots.
ReplyDeleteOh my gosh, I never tire of reading about your sky diving escapades Jan. What an incredible view...and yes, the limits of technology these days is just well......unlimited.
ReplyDeleteI'm in awe of your jumps.I seriously don't like heights so that's never gonna happen for me. Still I love to read about your adventures.
ReplyDeleteIf someone had told us.. even a dozen years ago that everyday people would be able to do things like locate a missing item in this manner, it would come across as magical powers. That is such a cool story and you can be sure that if I was the one who had someone come to my door to retrieve their phone from my newly-purchased fanny pack, I'd be blogging about it from that end too.
A very enjoyable read, DJan!
ReplyDeleteI loved reading this blog. Firstly I have no idea how you manage to jump out of a plane. The very thought of it makes my hands sweat. I am just full of admiration. As for your handle on technology I am light years behind! I have just got a netbook so I can blog whilst I travel but I've got soooo much catching up to do. Thank heavens I've retired.
ReplyDeleteI still hate phones and would never consider a cell phone for me..it would be a waste. Far Guy has one..he rarely uses it. BUT it is there for an emergency..IF we remember to take it with us!
ReplyDeleteCool that that Holly's husband located his phone with an app.
The view was breathtaking..I would have been shaking in my Crocs for sure..you are a gutsy older woman:)
Hi There - Just got in from a beautiful ride. Weather is great, sun is just beginning to set and this has been one heck of a nice weekend and looks like it will carry on a little longer - Yeah :)
ReplyDeleteI agree with you on the technology and am amazed at the growth. I was one of the first in our company to draw on the computer - CableCad and AutoCad and had the fun of teaching everyone else all over the Province. I can remember how we had bay after bay of full rooms with temps just right and how important it was to ID everyone coming and going from the computer banks - and today you can slip it on your wrist or in your pocket, or in your bag. Love it and quite the challenge to keep learning - that's the fun part, eh. Never too olde to learn.
WOW, four jumps - that is one fantastic view DJan and nice photo of you in sky. I like that one very much. Just a quick question - perhaps you could do a little post of what you do when you play in the sky, after you jump and before the chutes open. I am curious and think perhaps your readers would enjoy that too. Thanks kiddo and have a great night. Loved this post.
p.s. DJan, I just added "You might also like" at bottom of posts. Would you pick anything and let me know that it is working OK. No Rush - thanks a bunch :)
ReplyDeleteLove your Sunday posts. What a great photo, you cruising down to earth!After reading your post about your stolen ipad, I keep my location thing ON.
ReplyDeleteI have a similar app on my Android. It will let me locate the phone and shut it down so no one else can use it. When I first got this phone I was thrilled that it had a nice size keyboard for texting. Then I found out I don't need the keyboard, all I have to do is talk and there is the message I want to send. Yeah!
ReplyDeleteGlad to hear you had a fun day of skydiving!
Odd that I was thinking of you diving and wondering how it must feel, wishing I had the stamina to try it.
ReplyDeleteSo cool that you're really on the cutting edge of technology. I need an app to find my reading glasses.
ReplyDeleteSo cool that you're really on the cutting edge of technology. I need an app to find my reading glasses.
ReplyDeleteOh my. I'm nervous more than five steps up a ladder!
ReplyDeleteYay for technology! Have a safe jumping season DJan!
ReplyDeleteI love the jump shot!
ReplyDeletewhat a feeling that must be
I'm amazed by some aspects of technology, finding the iPhone is one of them
how cool is that!
Hope sends hugs
I love you so much!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteWhat a great post and what a great motivator you are to all us old women who think we can't do anything anymore.
Kisses!!! PS--I need that iPhone app.
Dear DJan, like you I mostly life the changes that are taking place technologically. But I find myself bemoaning the lack of civility and the political partisanship. And maybe also--the twenty-five extra pounds I'm carrying around on this 5'4" frame! Peace.
ReplyDeleteYou're a great example for us youngsters in our 60's who want to stay active. Mine won't include jumping out of planes but it includes marathons! It's good to do all we can so we continue to be able to do all we can.
ReplyDeleteGlad you are keeping adventuresome. We have a friend, in his 60s, who skydives at least once a year. Says it keeps him "grounded." Makes him realize how small we are and how big God is.
ReplyDeleteI've used the Find My Phone app when I thought my phone had been stolen. I had only placed in an unlikely place. The app is a good thing, though.
Good gosh! That's amazing! I have that Find My Phone ap, but I didn't know how it worked. I should check it out.
ReplyDelete