APP’TLY Wow’d

I’m reading this back to myself on my laptop.  In a few days, it will be on my new Ipad that I’ll possibly be able to read this AND compose a blog entry.  Wow, I used to think laptops were just…..teen computers battling electronic acne while waiting to grow up.  Now I am an embedded correspondent in Appsland.

I have found a few magazines are now available as apps, venerable old MOTOR TREND MAGAZINE for starters.  I’m pushing my five decades of mainstay reading MODEL RAILROADER MAGAZINE to get apps-ly going as well.  Should I dare bump trusty, crusty CHRISTIANITY TODAY because their news reporting and interviews ARE excellent?  Ladies and gentlemen, I’ve bought my last three books for my Kindle app.  What am I going to do with those things that I once called bookcases?

And on the other side of medialand, I just went to a sidelined/mainline denominational church meeting this past week.  For six long hours.  In a beautiful old sanctuary that was warm, inviting, almost holy.  Until I heard the microphones and speakers begin to burp.  Strictly Fisher-Price parts bin quality.  My old clock radio sounds better, but I’ve not turned it on in months: no place to plug in my megabass earphones. I almost filled out one of those pew-scrunched “Visitor Cards” to speak truth to the powers that (need to) be.

Somewhat sadly, or financially, you and I realize we are now sloshing around in an age where our cellphones, laptops and internet service may all experience turnover every couple of years.  I cleverly counter this by keeping my cars a decade or more.  It once was vice versa.  Betty thinks it’s now strictly vice.  Mine.

Then I hear from grandparent types that they “don’t need no [sic] computer,” while they still armwrestle their VHS programming menu. I truly apologize for old people everywhere.  Even the AARP can’t budge the apps-challenged.  Their churches could just be making the culture shock out of some ecclesiastical relic called a mimeograph machine (here’s to purple ink!).

Where is all this—media, my blog, the loans necessary to upgrade—-headed?  I’ve no idea…except, those who don’t flex or read culture accurately are likely to be sidelined and wonder what happened, especially to good causes or ideas.  And, spiritually if you are interested, I am now struggling afresh to learn that biblical value of contentment.  To say, “THIS tech toy is enough, this app will suffice….for now.”  One thing is growing larger…my power surge strips, now scattered like yesterday’s newspapers throughout my house.

Interested futurists: will those of us choosing to go beyond high school embrace degree letters behind our names that simply say “APPS”?

Meanwhile, my 4 year old grandson just blistered my hide in “Angry Birds HD RIO.” I am further humiliated by the laughter of cartoon cardinals.

My grandson remains amused and hopeful: he’s probably got my next app hardwired into his earbud.

Advertisement