I have to admit I am a little proud of myself. I just did what my 9 year old could probably do; I set up this blog. Granted, all it took was filling in the blanks on this program someone else put into place, but I am still proud. Technology intimidates me. Always has. I would be more comfortable writing these very words on a yellow legal pad with a fine tip felt pen. When my husband first gave me this lap top, it sat in the trendy brown and orange computer bag he also gave me for months, touched only by my teenage son wanting to update his IPod. I don't think most people even call them lap tops anymore. "Notebook" is the term du jour, as if to imply all that is missing is my felt pen. Of course, my felt pen couldn't open up the world of Crate and Barrel and show me that incredibly soft orange couch I yearn for, nor could it instantly alert my son's gym teacher that he needed to sit out P.E. today due to a pulled hamstring. I know there are advantages to technology. But that is not why I am forcing myself into the 21st century. It is because, as I said before, my 9 year old could do this. Except for the 4 year old, all of my children could do this, and because I take my responsibility of keeping them safe very serious, I must become friendly with technology. Facebook, MySpace, instant messaging all loom large in my future. In the space of four years I'll have four teens in my house and I must be savvy to their world or I may not be able to keep them safe. I approach this journey as I would approach singing for Simon Cowell. I am operating out of my weakness here. I am sure insecurities will be revealed. I know I have no commom sense with machines. But I can drive a car. I did manage to pull off a degree from a reputable university. I can do this, I think. If not, I'll ask my 9 year old.