Shutdown Day - May 3rd

For those that can go without their computer for 24 hours... can you go without clothes for 24 hours?

;]

Yes... that's what sacrifices are all about... they hurt!

-Andrey

We try to have no-computer day every Sunday, and the longer it goes on, the more we realize what a lifeline those machines are. We don' t have a TV, so movies are watched on the computer. We listen to music on the computer. We stay in touch with far-flung family in New Zealand, England, and the EAst coast via Skype or iChat.

I heard a really really interesting news piece on NPR last spring about a woman who had done her thesis on the differences between time saved with 1950's technology and current technology. I wish I could find the source for the study. What really intrigued me was that this woman lived for 6 weeks using only the technology available to people in the 1950's. She found that she had an extra 4 hours a day during that time.

Totally shutting down the computer will mean a day of really kicking back, meditating, finding extra time...and possibly planting some pole beans in the buff. We'll see about that!

"What really intrigued me was that this woman lived for 6 weeks using only the technology available to people in the 1950's. She found that she had an extra 4 hours a day during that time."

Wow! Can you find that study, Amanda? I'd love to see that. NPR, hmmm? Do you know when the show aired, and what show it was on? All Things Considered? Something else? Time of day? Maybe NPR can track it down for us.

Ha! I didn't know about shutdown day or naked gardening day. If I was to go 24 hours without the PC, actually I would garden! (It's something I do when my mind has turned to mush.)... I could go 24 hours without my PC, but not to sure about celebrating the other holiday!

Well, I wish it were possible for me to tune out for a whole day...BUT being this close to Mother's Day, it's just not possible. We make a living via the internet. Maybe after Mother's Day, I'll go rogue...but most likely 'cause we'll be moving our shop to another location. :)

Good luck to all of you whom will be gardening naked and NOT using the internet!

May 3rd, a complete day without my Mac. Thanks Elizabeth. Catch up with you all on the 4th. Enjoy!

My pre-shotdown day thoughts are on www.wonderosity.com (I guess that means its also on my profile). Otherwise, day went great with just a quick cheat peek at my iphone for contact info. Irony was that I bought an external monitor for my macbook that day ;) Leif

I'm guilty. I was on my Mac most of the day. I guess when a large part of my job is working on the computer, and those pesky client deadlines don't care one way or another about "Shutdown Day", there is no hope for me.

And I even did peruse and post on Biznik. Shame on me! But interestingly enough, when I was logged in I saw several others ignoring Shutdown Day as well.

I will not divulge any names, as long as you put a $20 bill in an envelope and send it to me!

Just kidding.

Hope everyone who was able to get away enjoyed themselves. Elizabeth, margaritas...I'm jealous! And printing out the crossword, I don't know. That's a gray area there!

I didn't observe shutdown day, either- but I did the next day. Sunday the 4th was my shutdown day- the only thing I had the computer on for was iTunes, so we could play some music when friends came over for dinner.

Since the computer is an all-in-one entertainment system, I don't count that in the same category. It was great to have a shabbat from the computer.

I was almost forced not to have PC access... I went on a trip to Victoria BC with my wife and friends. I did bring my laptop but barely used it during the last two days...

=/

-Andrey

The best laid plans of mice and men. Well, I had planned on being out all day, but Mother Nature wanted to make sure I checked my emails and did a bit of work, so she arranged to shower me with her gifts, so I didn't get to shut down all day either. Oh well, there is always vacation time, hmmm

I used my computer with abandon.

And I'd do it again! :-)

While I hadn't planned it that way, May 3 was a no-computer day. I spent it at a morning improv class, and later taking in two ancient and unsung Bette Davis films, and some wonderful Chinese food. If I'd been at home I would have been in the swimming pool.

@Carol -Wow, sounds like a fun day. Invite us bizniks over for a swimming party why don't ya? ;)

Well, it's come and gone. I didn't shut down - in fact, I worked on my laptop longer than ever on Saturday.

Can I pick a make up day? :)

Absolutely, you can have a make-up day. Which day are you going to pick as a make-up? Sunday was my make-up day, as I listed above.

That's right - how did your make-up Shutdown Day go?

My ideal and realistic make-up day is September 21st, my birthday. Ha.

Actually, I'll be taking this Friday as Shutdown Day. It's my daughter's birthday and I can't think of a better gift than making a day that's all about HER.

Cool idea David. That was one of the bennys this weekend (and usually is, like Mark, for Sundays) --much more focused time for family.

I have put a request into NPR to find the article on how 1950's technology might actually be a big timesaver for all of us. I'll post the link on this thread when/if it comes through.

David- that's a great idea!

The Sunday went absolutely wonderfully. I just may do it again. ;-)

Amanda- that's great! Thanks for looking into that for us- I'm hoping that they can pull it up without too much trouble.

I regret having missed the event! You did a grand thing by stirring up the brain cells! Dawn Mallory

for me to spend a day off the net, basically the whole planet would have to stop spinning and we'd have to lose all gravity.:0