We Are Too Reliant On Our Electronic Devices

I left my home yesterday on my way to a class and realized I left my phone. I refused to go back because I would then be late, then my mild OCD would kick in. Plus I had to mail a package at the post office on the way. (By the way I’m on foot) and in my neighborhood everything is scattered. So I go on my merry way. I’m in the post office and reach for my phone, it had the info I needed to mail the package. Right! Strike 1. So my workaround was my memory and my mild OCD again I had the item prepared. I just like double checking lol. I go catch the bus to my location and gratefully I checked the directions and mapped it out earlier on my phone because I’m a visual learner. Strike 2 I can’t check my mta app because I left my phone. So old school vibes kicked in. I no longer wear a watch yet I have several, nice ones too, my phone has the time. I asked some kids hanging at the bus stop. Social media has our kids in the land of make believe. They looked at me weird because I was standing across from the pjs with noticeable mild designer accessories at the bus stop asking one of them for the time. They had a look like who is this lady talking to us like she knows us, but really does she know us. Yeah I know you all young black men. I used to teach you in middle school, not literally. Eventually one of the three responded by checking their phone not a watch. The teacher in me said in my head can they read analog time. I hope so. Any who I check the time so the bus was on it’s way according to the bus map. I realized they are still up to date. Go MTA! Strike 3 I ask the bus driver about the cross street bus stop. He had no clue. He was about half my age and like I, relied on his technology to tell him. I find the bus map on the bus surprisingly and not graffitied (new word) and find my stop. It’s a newer bus that talks to you regarding your stop. I miss the seasoned drivers that know their routes even if they were covering a shift. I listened for my stop as I know he wasn’t and upon leaving I said the normal socially acceptable salutations and of course I had to school him by regurgitating the stop stated by the tech wizard that sounds like the GPS girl. I’m gone from home 4 hours without my phone to entertain me during the class, which I so needed, and my daughter had plans after work. So she’s calling me off the hook, blah blah blah. It’s the norm for us. She just wanted to make sure I was good. Of course I got a lecture when I returned home. Who’s the parent? It was a good experience. Something I will do more often, planned of course.