Eyes Wide Open

For some reason it has taken me ages to getting to write this blog. My plan originally was to post things like this every few weeks, but so far the idea has only been residing in my mind. Until now. Remember the blog I wrote about looking up for your electronics and connecting with the world around you? If not, you can read it here. Well I've been doing my very very best not to be a hypocrite and I thought I'd share two of the experiences I had as a result.
The first one happened only a few days after I posted the blog. I was still working on detaching myself from my phone and getting comfortable with actually looking at my surroundings openly. I don't mean staring at people, of course, but looking around and taking it in slowly and carefully and politely. So, like all people do at some point, I had a doctor's appointment. I'm sure most of us can agree that one of the worst things about all doctor's appointments is the whole waiting forever part. This appointment was no exception.
I finished filling out the countless forms and signing things saying I wouldn't sue them if they accidentally killed me, standard stuff, and instinctively started playing my go to game: minesweeper. Great game, by the way. It requires logic, but does not take your whole brain away from the world. Anyways, I was half way done with plugging in my ear buds to listen to some music when I realized that I was totally not doing what I had told myself I would. Here I was at my first chance to deny technology and live and I was going to immediately give up? I don't think so.
I took out my ear buds, closed out of minesweeper, locked my phone, and put it securely in my purse. Then came the awkward part, looking at something other than my hands in my lap. I considered reading a magazine, but none of them interested me. I now realize that probably would have been my best option anyways, but at the time I was not exactly sure what to do. Unfortunately, nothing super entertaining happened. All of the other people in there were on smart phones or tablets/IPads except one woman who went into a corner and started talking angrily into the phone. I can't remember what about anymore.
The second experience occurred a few weeks later when I was waiting for my coffee at the mall. The woman in front of me had been sent by her co-workers to get all of their coffee orders. She was struggling to figure out which emerging coffee beverage was for which of her friends when she said to everyone around her, "I'm sorry, I'm not very good with coffee." I saw my chance and truthfully replied, "Oh, me neither."
She smiled at me and said, "Ask me to fix a computer and I can do it, but ask me about what any of these drinks are and I'd have no idea."
I laughed and agreed.
We talked a little bit more about our incompetence with coffee beverages and how we basically just try what our friends have until we figure out how to pronounce the name of what we like. I didn't get her name or come away with a new friend, but I did get the chance to talk to someone nice and hopefully brighten their day a bit. I know she brightened mine.
So far the non-technology thing is a success for me. I do feel like I have been experiencing the world more. Still, I find it difficult to tear myself away from my computer at home, but I am proud to say I am more likely to pull out a book when bored in public than my phone. Baby steps. Baby steps.