Advanced technology? Are we sure?

I have a new car, have I told you that? I love it. It answers my phone. It informs me of upcoming inclement weather. It points out the best restaurants in whatever region I’m in. It tells me if my hair is out of place. It does everything for me except wash dishes, and I’m sure that’s only because I haven’t found the right button for that.

With the onset of cold weather, this car has told me that the tires need air. Like a responsible auto owner, I took my new baby to the dealership in order to comply. You won’t believe what transpired.

The service guy behind the desk told me that the tires I have really need what amounts to air with bigger molecules in order to maintain proper pressure, especially in the cold months.

Say what?

You want to sell me bigger air? I almost laughed, but when I saw that he was serious, I didn’t. Now I don’t know about you, but I think when we’ve come so far technologically that we can a) sell air, and for a lot of money, and b) choose the size of the air molecules, I have to ask myself:  Are we really all that much better off?

Then I started thinking, “How, exactly, will I know that I have in fact purchased bigger air molecules instead of the everyday, run-of-the-mill variety that the masses enjoy? What if I don’t buy the big air, and people find out? Can they tell just by looking at my tires?” I was really starting to stress. The service guy was growing impatient.

I am ashamed to say that I opted to purchase the bigger air. I was too afraid not too. But I left feeling like one of those people who just purchased the Brooklyn Bridge, or who walks out of a room with a KICK ME sign on her back. For all I know, he could have told me he was selling me Happy Thoughts or Good Karma.

The air wasn’t even a different color. I know. I asked to see it.

What do you think? Has technology made our lives more or less complicated?

I'm back, friends. A little sadder, a lot wiser and even more jaded (if you can imagine).

Yes, Marc and I are back. We spent several days in Gulf Shores with my dear sister and brother-in-law. Yes, I was robbed Wednesday and yes, we really considered whether it was wise to leave home after such a traumatic experience, but we went. I"m glad we did, too.

I'm going to climb up on my soapbox here for just a minute. Bear with me, OK? To the crackhead loser who felt that it was much easier to steal from me than to get a job, Karma is a bitch. You may not regret your pathetic actions today, tomorrow, or even 10 years from now, but everything comes home to roost dude. So be prepared. You cost me and my husband about $3000, but then again, you cost me a bit more. I am even more distrustful of people now than I was before. I think less of the human race. And just as importantly, I will never , EVER, again enjoy the simple pleasure of walking a nature trail. I will just never do it again. You see, this bottom-feeding loser was waiting for someone to go to the trail, LOCK their car and of course (my bad) leave a purse inside, then steal from that person like the spineless, leeching coward that he/she is.

Anyway, I;m glad we went to the beach. Family is soothing, grounding and healing. It did us both some good. This next weekend, Easter weekend, will find us surrounded by family and loved ones. For these things, I am truly grateful.And for the pathetic thief who so casually destroyed and stole property, trust and faith, here's to finding many Easter eggs, filled wth the illegal drugs of your choice. You rock, dude, really.  You should be very proud. I'm sure your mom is, too.

I have an exciting announcement, but I will save that for tomorrow.