Day 14

So I am feeling a bit overwhelmed with all things that come up...I've decided to work in categories:

1) Hygiene, Health, and Beauty
2) Kitchen Tools and Cooking
3) Food
4) Entertainment
5) Communication
6) Transportation
7) Cleaning

I'm sure I'll be adding to these categories throughout the month...today, I will tackle 1)...here are the things I need to investigate so far (Mainly Hygiene and Beauty...Health was kind of addressed yesterday with the medicine cabinet investigation):

1) Toothpaste and Toothbrush
2) Face soap and lotion
3) Body soap and lotion
4) Razors
5) Tweezers
6) Hair dryer
7) Floss
8) Contacts and Saline Solution
9) Deodorant
10) Make-up
11) Hair Dye (see picture)
12) Hair products (gel, spray, etc.)
13) Mouthwash
14) Shampoo and conditioner

Another thing I thought of today is that I am going to start documenting some more details (starting tomorrow)...I am going to document how much time I spend on the computer and cell phone...to get an idea of how much "extra" time I will have in Feb.. I am also going to document what I eat/drink...to get a more realistic view of how my diet is going to have to change.

Here's a fun pic...me utilizing the amazing technology of at-home hair dye!
Cheers!

Day 13

Here's a picture of our medicine cabinet...lots of no-nos for Feb.. One thing, though, that I hadn't thought about yet was contacts...I highly doubt contacts were being used on a daily basis before 1950. Oh well, I'm sure my eyes will appreciate the rest.

I've realized that I need to actually start my research...now, I just have this growing list of things I think will be out of the picture...but very few facts to back me up. And, of course, I will have to get all my Internet research out of the way in January. Come Feb., trips to the library, working with a librarian (as all card catalogs are online these days).

Day 12

Night before last, I woke up with a terrible stomach ache...you know, the kind where you lay there and talk yourself out of throwing-up? I finally got the courage to get up and go to the medicine cabinet in search of some relief. As I opened the cabinet door and scanned my home pharmacy, I came to a sobering realization...bye, bye Tums, adios Motrin, ciao Flex-All for the month of February. I'll have to do some additional research, but I believe that in February my home pharmacy will consist of asprin and MAYBE pepto. Anyway, that night, I took a Tums or two and fell back asleep...grateful for the advances in over-the-counter medicine.

Yesterday morning, as I completed my morning ritual of getting on the bathroom scale, another thought came to mind...bathroom scales are probably out for Feb.. This could be one of the things that sticks after the project is complete.

I'm going to start to add some photos to this blog over the next few weeks - here's the first - a picture of Alex and I using Skype. In this photo, he is in Bahrain - 6900 miles away.

Day 10

Happy Belated Merry Christmas!

I was so wrapped up in festive activities that I forgot to post yesterday! And today's my birthday! It's been a nice couple of days...

Skype is an amazing technology. Alex and I celebrated our Christmas together even though he was in Bahrain, and I was in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Through the use of our webcams, I was able to show him the presents and cards we had received, let him see our Christmas tree in the background, and have Kharma (our dog) blow him a kiss. Sure beats using just the conventional phone.

Here is an article I found about something very similar to Skype...an invention which would allow elderly people who are alone to "share" meals with loved ones - very interesting!

http://biz.yahoo.com/ap/061223/virtual_family_dinners.html?.v=6

The day also involved nice meals with friends, a walk in the woods, reading "The Gift of the Magi"...all enjoyable and all things that could have been done pre-1950s! There's hope!

I didn't exercise at the YMCA again today...I need to get back on track with that...I thought about exercise equipment technology today and realize that this is yet another area for research. Were there treadmills? Weight machines? Saunas? Or will my exercise routine for the month of Feb. only involve a pair of tennis shoes and Ann Arbor streets and parks?

Day 8

Last night, as I was really contemplating the project, I think I had a bit of an anxiety attack. Honestly, sometimes I find great comfort in just "tuning out"...and today's technologies offer so many options for doing so. So then I started thinking about how I am going to occupy the time that I routinely spend listening to music, surfing the internet, and watching TV. Reading a little more came to mind. There are also several creative, crafty things I wouldn't mind dabbling into. But then I thought, what about craft/art technologies? No glue gun. No fancy, pre-made cutouts for cards and scrapbooks. No acid-free glue to protect precious projects. Yesterday, I took a trip to Michael's (hobby store) to find some things to decorate a stocking for a friend. I bought some "glitter glue" and an iron-on sequence butterfly...probably not around pre 1950. So are my tools for creative expression limited to construction paper and basic Elmer's? Perhaps some felt? I don't know...I'll need to do some research.

Merry Christmas Eve.

Day 7 - A little more

As I was out doing last minute Christmas shopping (I know, I'm crazy), I noticed a very lonely Salvation Army lady ringing her little bell and looking longingly at those passing by. I wanted to contribute, but....no cash! I never carry cash. I assume that many of the others who pretended that they did not hear that familiar bell also never carry cash. I wonder how the salvation army is fairing in this credit card world. And also how are those who are homeless impacted by this credit card world? I never have cash/change to give to the homeless. These may be good interviews during the process.

Also, as I was in the check-out line, I noticed a copy of the TV Guide...I will have to purchase this in Feb. if I wanted to figure out what to watch on ABC and NBC (I'll also need to research which television networks were around back then)...no more using the "menu" option on the TV...I love the "menu" option.

Day 7

So, I have this whole day planned before I work at 12PM...clean the house, finish last minute Christmas stuff, etc.. To get a head start, I even put a load of clothes in the washer just before I went to bed. When I went to take them out of the washer and put them into the dryer this morning...SURPRISE! The washer was still filled with water. Something is wrong with it. In an attempt to keep my clothes from mildew, I have spent the last 45 mintues wringing out each individual piece of clothing so they won't be dripping with water when I put them in the dryer....Hmmm....I wonder about laundry technology in the 1950's. Did the average household even have dryers? Or should I rig up a clothes line in my basement?

Yesterday, I finished up some last minute shopping for the holidays...a couple of DVDs of some classic movies for those I was stuck on...so what would be considered "last minute" gifts in the 1950's?

Day 5

I've spent the last two days grading papers and final exams. As I was grading the papers, something came to mind...the amazing invention of "spell check". I realize that I use spell check in Word as my dictionary. If I can't remember how to spell a something, I will type it in Word, then run spell check. I also try to remember to run spell check when I write emails. I don't even remember the last time that I picked up a dictionary. February will be interesting...snail mail and dictionary in hand. No spell check on typewriters.

I also just submited final grades using the online system...what a breeze. I'm glad that there will not be a requirement to submit grades in February. My class will be impacted by this project, however. No email. So, I will schedule office hours, they can leave written messages in my box, or call the school and leave a message. I look forward to interviewing them at the end of the project.

Day 3

So, this morning as I am catching up on emails, my computer makes this telephone ringing sound, then, in a pop-up window, I was given the option to "Answer". I did. Next thing I know, a separate screen pops up, and there's my husband on Skype. It is the first time we have successfully tried Skype...it was great. He should me his hotel room; I lifted up our dog, Kharma, and had her wave. It is nice to see him while I talk to him...especially since he will probably be gone until Jan. 17th.

Yesterday, I had to get gas. I took advantage of the wonderful technology of "pay at the pump". This got me thinking about the whole fueling process. I don't believe there were even self-service gas stations before the 50's. I'm not sure I will be able to find a full-service one nearby, but I will at least need to pay inside, with cash.

Today is the release of the DVD of "Little Miss Sunshine"....I'm buying it. It is one of my all time favorites.

Day 2

So, after I finished yesterday's blog, I started craving popcorn...hauled out the air popper, made some, melted a little butter in the microwave, and went about my business. I started thinking about what this process will be like for the month of February...heating oil in a pan, watching the popcorn like a hawk due to high risk of burning, and melting the butter on the stove. I realize how drastically my eating habits will be impacted by this project, and I look forward to seeing if my eating habits improve as a result if being forced to eat and prepare "slow food".

Day 2:
Again, Timmy Horton's for some Diet Coke and bagel on the way to USA Jet. I'm actually typing this blog while having a little down time at work...this is what I do when planes aren't flying - I surf the internet and catch up on emails. Come Feb. 1st, I will still have to use the computer for job functions, but I will not be using it during down times. What will I do? Sometimes there is a lot of down time...perhaps read a book? A paperback one that I can actually hold and feel the pages? Or maybe I will stop and got a paper on the way to work since Timmy H's will no longer be an option.

After work, I'm heading to my Aunt's for a Christmas get together. I brought the iPOD with our handy dandy iTrip which allows me to play my iPOD over a FM frequency...it's a bit of a drive to my Aunts.

While at this get together, I am going to keep my eye out for other technologies...one thing I know is that my Aunt has this fondue pot that she puts out every year. I love it...mmmmm...hot cheese and bread pieces. Will I have to pass on the fondue in February? Something to look up...I'm not sure when it was invented, but I venture to say post-1950.

Day 1

This blog is part of a larger research project. Starting Feb. 1st, I will be removing all technologies that were created after 1950 out of my life...cell phone, microwave, iPod, email, computer...after only doing minimal research, I realize that the list is somewhat endless. December and January will be months of research and documentation. I will use this blog to describe my days, recognize what technologies I use on a daily basis, and attempt to get in touch with how these technologies impact my life. I am documenting this part of the process using a blog so that friends and family will be able to post comments and help point out things that I may not recognize as "post 1950s" technology. After the research is complete and my environment is revamped as much as possible to reflect only pre-1950 technology, I will document the process of adapting, embracing, and rejecting these retro technologies using a video camera. I will also be interviewing people in my life who will be directly impacted by my technology boycott. Hopefully, this blog will be a medium that allows this project to unfold to its fullest potential.

Day 1:
Woke up to digital alarm clock...it's nice. The alarm starts very soft; barely there. Then, very gently, the volume increases...a nice ease into the day. There is also an option to wake up to a favorite CD, but I'm not sure how that works.

Shower, blew dry hair, brushed teeth. Hopped in the car. Drove to work while listening to "24 hours of Christmas music" on 100.3 FM. Stopped at Tim Horton's for a Diet Coke and bagel (breakfast of champions)...paid with credit card. Worked at USA Jet from 7AM-1PM...when not launching planes, I caught up on a few emails.

Came home, took a nap while watching an episode of "Friends" off the TiVo. Took a walk in the neighborhood with my neighbor...then Kharma for a walk. Talked to a couple of friends on my cell...interesting, considering I was at home, on my couch, and 2 feet from my home phone. Microwaved a pre-made burrito. Decided I needed some black slippers for the Christmas gathering at Aunt Barbs tomorrow, so went to Kohl's, found some, and paid with credit card. Picked up some marinated mozzarella to bring as an appetizer. Came home, finished Christmas cards (hand-written). Now I'm typing this blog.

Red Flags for the Day: Credit Card, Diet Coke, Email, Computer, Pre-made Food, FM radio, Digital Alarm Clock