I like change

Sloppy snow dripping off trees

I am still wearing my winter coat. Even though this morning started off cold, the temperature was flirting with the Spring sunshine to make me regret my choice of outwear. I was on my way downtown to meet a colleague at a coffee shop. It’s our usual hang out near Yonge Street to sit comfortably as I ask her for translation assistance for a play I’m interpreting in a few weeks. Thinking our signing to each other was the reason for stares from other patrons, we quickly noticed the true object of their attention – an emerging St Patrick’s Day parade. Of course! The 17th is coming up this week. We temporarily procrastinated by watching giddy girls irish dance on floats. They didn’t appear cold as they they jogged back and forth. A variety of cars, trucks and vans full of expats rolled by with their windows down, obviously enjoying the light air. Those walking with County banners left their scarves to dangle open around their necks. Yep, Spring has arrived!

no gadget night

Candle light creates focus in a room. We enjoy glass "candles" with refillable liquid paraffin and fibreglass wicks. Photo by Jo

We relax with our technology. My husband curls up with a good digital book on his iPad. On the computer I watch National Film Board stories. Pick a portable screen and we enjoy catching up on the lives of friends and distant relatives via Facebook. We love to cook and dine at home listening to Diana Panton, who’s voice is emanating from the iPod that is hooked up to a spare set of computer speakers. Grown kids text and friends PIN plans for the weekend.

This may seem a little too hooked up for some, but we’re fairly successful at keeping “work” out of our down time – the phone ringer is off and email replies are left until tomorrow. Oh, and did I mention that we don’t have television cable? Just never got around to hooking it up. Truthfully, there are some great programs we would like to watch, but otherwise there is just too much junk that comes with it to distract. I remember recording shows on VHS and saving them to watch: I would eventually fall behind and feel guilty. For those with PVR today, does this ring a bell? We have a 37” flat screen that nestles perfectly in a corner of the living room between the window wall and the fireplace. We rent DVDs occasionally and own a few hard-to-find favourites. We sometimes view a television series on iTunes.  We are testing out Netflix via a recently purchased Apple TV box. I’ll report on that later if you are curious!

So how does the title “No Gadget Night” fit in?