Our trip overseas to visit my sister and her family is one which has long been planned and looked forward to by all of us. Finally, the many months of saving and scrimping for a white winter holiday are reaching their conclusion.
This time next week I will no doubt be trying to squeeze as much winter clothing around the many presents without surpassing the 80kg weight maximum set by our airline. However, my firm intention to spoil my nephews rotten will probably mean the four of us will have about two changes of clothes each.
On the upside, my gadget-loving husband and I have agreed to leave our laptops behind, so we will at least have some clothes to take.
But can we survive?
For a while now I have looked forward to a few weeks without our technology appendages. Slow walks in the snow, my angels (please God, let them behave) making snow angels and a time set apart to be with our loved ones.
Today, however, I`m wondering what it will be like.
No e-mail, no leisurely time trawling the Internet with a cup of coffee in hand. And to my absolute shame, no time set aside to reach the next level on World of Warcraft. Even our cellphones will be all but useless. After all, who can afford the SMSes to and from home, let alone the calls?
Of course, my sister`s household has its own state-of-the-art facilities, including "real" broadband, as my brother-in-law likes to point out.
But will two computers be enough for four people to share? And will it feel like sharing a single cup of coffee: slightly dirty and invasive, with the next in line impatient for his/her turn?
I`m sitting here wondering whether there is any etiquette for using someone else`s PC. Does it have to be urgent? Is there a time limit? And is that on a daily or duration basis? Is it frowned upon to sneak out of your bed at night to have some "alone time" with a gadget?
Should I pack heavy-duty tranquillisers just in case?
No turning back
My sister`s household has its own state-of-the-art facilities, including "real" broadband, as my brother-in-law likes to point out.
Kimberly Guest, senior journalist, ITWeb
It`s much too late for us to change our minds now, so hubby and I will have to brave it out. Like all time spent with family, we will no doubt return sad to have left them, but overjoyed at the prospect of being in our own home with our own gadgets.
It may even provide some insight into how dependent we are on our gadgets and whether those levels are healthy. It`s more likely we will ignore that insight.
Whichever way, it will be wonderful to celebrate Christmas with our extended family. All sacrifices will undoubtedly be worth it.
Whatever you do this season - and whatever you celebrate - I wish you peace, love and laughter. Next year will be upon us before we know it, and 2007 has left us - or at least me - with a desperate need to unwind.
So unplug the laptop and lock it away. Get outside into the sunshine and have a drink. It`s holiday time!
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