Grandpa's Ipad

For a long time I have been an advocate of how technology is cheapening our human existence. Yes, we rely upon status updates and twitter feeds to keep our days revolving at what we think is the right speed. And I think at some point in all of our lives we let the internet relationships overpower the interpersonal relationships that we all have. Heck, I'm blogging at a 9th grade girls basketball game surrounded by screaming mothers living vicariously through their 14-year old daughters. I am guilty. But then again, I'm not a psychotic demon parent yelling about a missed 3-second call. I will never be that big of a douchebag.

Psychotic Demon Parent: REF! BLOW THE WHISTLE! SHE'S BEEN CAMPED OUT IN THE PAINT FOR TEN MINUTES! YOU SUCK!

Swamp Thing: 'And you've probably been camped out on your La-Z-Boy since 1982 watching re-runs of Matlock on a diet of Pepsi and Twinkies.'

Alright, I am a douchebag.

Amidst the dark cloud of techno-blunders that are taking over our social lives, I will admit that there has been a slight silver lining that I stumbled upon yesterday afternoon from a person who I last expected to join the throng of technology. It was a text message, one that I will always remember. For some reason text messages have a unique place in my heart. You all remember the infamous "Text-Gate" scandal last March? If not, just call up Mrs. Brown and ask her about it.

No, don't do that. She just might send you a Christmas card too.

My best friend and Grandfather has been cooped up in hospitals and re-hab centers for the past four months of his life. His daughter tried brightening his mood by getting him an iPad 2. And this gesture seemed all in vain as I spent an hour trying to teach the old guy how to turn the device on. But all of the time that I thought was spent in vain actually turned out pretty nice yesterday, when I got the most memorable social media gift in my entire life.

Best. Christmas Present. Ever.

Location:Some junior high in Layton