Time In and Time Out

(Here is my first attempt at a column. I'm going to try to release a though provoking one every Tuesday and Thursday, but it might only be a weekly thing. Wish me luck!)

Today in this fast paced world, we barely have time to tie our shoes let alone connect with friends, and make plans for that oh-thank-god-it's Friday, moment.

Then came the internet, and life became so much easier.

Instead of finding the time to call our friends (you know how tricky that coordination of both of you being home is... phone tag anyone?), you can just simply type a message, and it might go straight to their phone! Or, write a little note on their wall asking about lunch on Thursday.

Now, as I sit here, totally not obstructed by time constraints, I think one of the best things that the internet has given us (for me at least) is blogging.

As a young, ambitious child, I always wanted to keep a diary. I was always attracted to those shiny plastic ones that is so in tune to your voice that only you can open it. Remember those ones?

Or even the simple ones with the sparkly unicorn on it that you had a key that would most definitely lose right away.

Everything about the diary was enchanting.

So why didn't I keep one?

I hated writing. I hated having huge white out streaks because I spelt something wrong, or wrote something I didn't want to. I hated the hand cramps you got. And I hated how messy my writing was then when I look back at it, I can barely decipher this premodern scrawl.

But then the blog appeared, and it was like a dream.

I can write everything I wanted. It will be neat and tidy. I can share my thoughts with the world. And I get a sweet layout to boot.

Then a few nights ago this thing called 'tumblr' came into my attention. I quickly decided to investigate, wondering if its some kind of band-wagon I want to hop onto. It wasn't really - though the concept is interesting.

Tumblr is basically a blog for those who don't want to blog. It's an easy way to post pictures, share video clips, quotes, etc. without having to write the long text that goes with it.

Now I do believe you can do that on tumblr, but I don't think that's the point.

Has our society gotten so constrained on time that we barely have time for the internet?

The Internet was supposed to be a tool for us to save time, and now we find shortcuts everyday.

Now instead of having to type in "www.google.ca" I can just go to this bar that is built right into my browser. If I wanted to check my email, I can simply press F12, and a widget will appear for me to do that.

Of course, this could also be considered pure convenience (which I have no doubt that it is) but we are taking short cuts for a short cut. Who knows what else we can cut?

We've already cut down on food by those milkshakes that apparently account for a meal, or all those bad-for-you yet so-good-to-eat instant foods that you basically throw in the microwave and zap into existence.

Maybe it is time to relax and enjoy life. Sure it has some shitty moments, and sure sometimes we are in a rush.

But I just read recently in a book (well actually on a test) that those who are rushed, just have poor time management.

And hell, I'm the queen of poor time management!

My day involves rolling out of bed, showering, grabbing something quick to eat and out the door in about an hour and a half. School school school... go home, do some work, sit online, and bed. Shake and repeat.

Now that this school year is over, I have a new mantra.

TIME IS PRECIOUS.

I'm going to train myself to wake up earlier (which means go to sleep earlier...), keep up with my school work (no more rushing to study), and rewarding myself for this work.

So as I sit here, drinking my beautiful mug of steaming tea, I salute you and hope you will join me in this conquest of enjoying life, and taking a moment to BREATHE.