our virtual lives

When do we decide that our virtual lives have gone too far?  How many hours can we reasonably spend sitting in front of a screen, rather than out there with people we can touch?!

Today is my birthday, and it came as a shock when I turned on my computer to see that Google had remembered the day  (although I don't think I ever typed my date of birth onto any of their pages!)

I love to blog, that's not a state secret!   Writing a blog necessitates a lot of sitting down and typing, but this year I have resolved to be more efficient with my time.  To write my blog, answer my mails and then shut the computer down for the day and be sure to do other things.   In fact my blog has turned the tables on itself, and given me excellent reasons to get out and about for interviews and pictures.

I often talk with my children about the importance of being careful on social networks, not revealing too much, being cautious etc, but sometimes they raise an eyebrow, as if to say "you're applying the same rules to yourself, right?!"

I am glad to say that we all see a lot of people here.   Country life is very sociable.  The children are active and sporty, and there is a continual trail of kids through our door.   I also make sure that I get outside in the elements each day.  Sometimes it's only as far as the field to feed the horses, but whenever possible I'll take the dogs, and join a girlfriend to walk around the forest.

And sometimes I get special treats like the lunch I enjoyed in Paris yesterday, with the gorgeous and most amusing Tish Jett, of A Femme d'un Certain Age.  It is so good to sit and chat and laugh without having to keep an eye on the clock!

So I am taking the Google birthday message as a wake-up call.  My own computer being quicker off the mark than family and friends?!!! ....  a step too far in my books.

So today I'll check my mails once or twice but mostly I am off to walk the dogs, finish upholstering those beds, picking up some flowers, spending time with a girlfriend who is working on her first book, and  finally enjoying a special dinner with friends and family.

So tell me, what are you doing today to balance out your computing time?