… at least, if you are old enough to remember how it was back then!
Does the Internet monopolize most of your free time now? Or do you have a way to allocate enough time for your other hobbies/family/friends… etc.
And I’m not saying that the Internet is a bad thing or anything. I’m just reflecting on how things were so different, before.
Hoping many would care to share!
Thank you everyone, for sharing your thoughts and spending some time on my question. I particularly enjoyed reading the more detailed answers from P’quaint, Lucija, WillRogersWannabe and Anita, among others.
P’quaint, like you, I was an avid reader too. It used to be about 4 to 6 novels in a month. Now I find that I could stretch one novel for an entire month! It seems like I do most of my reading online these days but oh, how I used to LOVE curling into my favorite armchair for hours on end with one book or another.
Lucija, my heart goes out to you. Yes I do know how the internet really can be one of our only connections to the world outside. In fact I thank the internet for bringing me closer to friends a long distance away, one such as you. We wouldn’t have “met” otherwise, hey?
Mr. WillRogers, sir. Thank you so much for sharing. Your post reminded me of what I used to LOVE to do as a little schoolgirl, ages ago. I loved nothing better than to spend many quiet nights outside, lying atop my father’s old car, just watching the stars. I enjoyed trying to identify different constellations and individual stars. With my torchlight in hand to illuminate dozens of star maps and encyclopedias, I dreamed of being an astronaut, spacewalking under the glittering sky. Funny how I ended up so firmly grounded on earth as an architect.
*aNthonY~
March 24, 2010 at 1:53 am
Nintendo 64.
Michael is 18!
March 24, 2010 at 2:14 am
I’m sure it was t.V. but I’m not that old
CT
March 24, 2010 at 2:24 am
Watching TV.
Doug
March 24, 2010 at 2:42 am
television and reading
why not?
March 24, 2010 at 2:45 am
Watch tv and playing outside.
I do spent a lot of my time in front of the computer every single day, but I also give time for my family and myself.
justbeingher
March 24, 2010 at 3:05 am
Smoked a lot of dope, read a lot of books, listened to music, and watched TV. And hung out with friends. As a kid – played outside and rode my bike.
P'quaint!
March 24, 2010 at 3:52 am
Why, back then we used to interact with real people…in person or on phone! We were more active, physically! Tinkering around the house, trying out new recipes, re-arranging furniture, updating furnishings, tiding up cupboards etc etc….a housewife can find thousand little things to do/create. BTW, did I tell I had a career too!
Read books…yes, that’s one regret I have! An avid reader once, I seem to struggle to finish them now! Whatever spare time I get, I run in here to check on the happenings in this virtual world of Yahoo, or google for some information!
I guess, our critical thinking has taken a back-seat…ever since information was made accessible at the click of a button!
There are positives as well as negatives…
WillRogerswannabe
March 24, 2010 at 4:49 am
The first television set that this old fool can recall watching was a 7″ (seven) wide screen in the late 40’s or early 50’s.
Started collecting sports cards in the early 50’s.
Playing in the park with friends and family was the weekend highlight.
Later participating in sports.
School was the most important aspect of this old fools life.
Later this old fool started studying various life forms.
Birds, fish, insects, plants, etc…and finally man.
Ornithology started it all for this old fool, at the ripe age of nine. Fifty seven years have passed since this old fool saw his first Snowy Owl. That ignited the fire for further studies in Ornithology
The study of birds is absolutely free, there are no hidden fee’s, taxes, or additional charges.
In turn one can observe the birds curiosity in the their constant observation of man. Man is constantly being studied by other species. Some that are seen and some that are unseen.
Man is a strange, secretive species, unlike many other life forms.
I spent many early years wandering the mountains, forests, rivers, lakes and ponds, to see what each had to offer in knowledge and enjoyment.
Collecting various reptiles and snakes, and observing and studying their particular behavior, was most interesting. If these creatures sense no fear or hostility within man, they are most docile. This includes almost all poisonous species.
One must get out into the environment and partake of the natural beauty, that is offered freely.
One can enhance ones studies by controlled use of the Internet, but one must resist addiction.
Everyone should become involved in various forms of gardening.
This can help break the attachment to computerization.
Gardening and caring for an apple orchard occupy most of my free time these days.
Children and Grandchildren presently occupy most of this old fools valuable time.
Children and Grandchildren are always consulting with this old fool for confidential advice.
I freely offer what little advice I have.
My better half (My Beautiful Wife) freely offers this old fool plenty of advice…
Time on the Internet must be closely monitored and controlled and limited
When “3-D Holographic Movie Viewers” entertain our homes, one should then be aware of the possibility of permanent addiction.
By all means when spring arrives, get out on your bicycle and take several spins around the neighborhood.
valac gypsy
March 24, 2010 at 5:08 am
Shah, I’d be happy to share.
2004 when I had a PE with many complications, the only thing I could do was go on line. I’d never used the internet before. From Y/A to Multiply, Fourfold one, Fourfold two, & then Poets of Mars. All my friends had moved to other states, but one angel, & he had to move in 2005. I have no “family.” For five years I suffered incredible pain 24/7…three doctors refused to believe I had what I thought I did. The end of November 2009, I got a new doctor who diagnosed it at once. I have fibromyalgia. It’s a horrid disease, medication is helping a lot, but I’ll never be who I was.
That being said, the internet people are no different than “real” people. I’ve made great friends as well as a few people don’t like me. I think that’s to be expected.
I can’t paint anymore, I hoped that I’d be able to but carpal tunnel prevents this. I used to have brunches, holiday feasts with friends who aren’t around anymore, not that I could handle it now. I walked a lot, all around the lake & town. I exchanged recipes with employees at Safeway when I shopped, talked with the lonely elderly. Now I have to order on line delivery.
I’ve seen that many people who are handicapped use the internet. It compensates for their isolated lives.
Yes, perhaps things were different before for others. I, personally, don’t use it as an addiction, but as a necessity.
† Iríšh †
March 24, 2010 at 5:18 am
Jigsaw puzzles.
Your inner Jedi. ☮
March 24, 2010 at 5:45 am
I’m 17, so the internet was available to me from a young age. When I was younger I was not interested in going online. I would spend my free time drawing, watching t.v., playing Nintendo 64 (I loved Zelda), and reading books. The internet takes up a good amount of time in my life now, because I don’t have a job and it’s winter. Hopefully this spring I will find work…and I know I’ll be on the internet much less because the beach is calling! As well as college.
Sara
March 24, 2010 at 6:27 am
Work, work, work! I had the cleanest house and the neatest garden back then.
Pra4USA
March 24, 2010 at 7:01 am
it is funny you would ask right now….I used to have a work at home job…..I had to quit that to take care of a family member who died…then I spend the past 10 years just lost. Today I am sitting here working on manifesting a work at home job. I wrote on the top of 4 sheets of paper (1) what is keeping me from my perfect job? (2) What do I want for my job (3)What am I getting my not having it (4) What would I get if I had it?….so your question has helped me see that I have replaced my job with being on Yahoo. I actually need the money & sure don’t make a penny doing this. I like helping others & connecting with others but I need to turn this off so I will desire it & get it in a way that compensates me. So your question has been an answer to what I need to do…thank you!
Anita
March 24, 2010 at 7:04 am
Good question indeed……….. good, cuz it took me back to what I was before I landed at y/a!
I was an avid reader of books, both fiction and non fiction, I’d write articles, short stories, poems…..
I spent a lot of time exercising, walking, and talking with friends, watching TV shows, and of course some embroidery.
Goodness me!…. what am I at? Time I got back to normalcy………..
Did I say Normalcy?!!………..