Technology

So it wasn't too long ago that I was thinking about how my generation has seen technology advance...quite quickly. 

Remember the word processor?  That you printed on the paper that had the holes in the sides? And the OLD computers that ran on DOS?  Remember the HUGE floppy disk (some people probably don't even remember the small ones!) and to run the program you had to type your commands into DOS?

Remember when cell phones just came out?  My dad had a BAG phone.  Yup.  A bag phone.  Back then it was the coolest thing EVER!  Seriously....to talk on the phone....in your CAR!  I would get so excited when I was able to use it. 

Remember the big tv's that had the color tubes in them and weighed 8000 lbs?  Or the old ones where you didn't have a remote control  :::gasp:::?  And we didn't have 500 channels with nothing on? 

Remember when if you were trying to locate someone you had to go to the library or look in the phone book (you know, that book about 7" thick with EVERYONE'S phone number and address in it in your area)?  Then you had to call them, or write them a letter and actually put a stamp on it and mail it?

Wow have times changed.

Now we have computers that can store virtually anything.  We have laptops that can travel with us and internet cards to get online almost anywhere.  We have netbooks and ipads.  Our computers and other things are touch screen....we don't even need a mouse or anything anymore.

Now we have cell phones, no longer in a bag and weighing 90% less.  We can text...we don't even have to actually TALK to anyone anymore.  We can text the person sitting beside us and burst out laughing....and not risk anyone overhearing.  We can even get online with our phones! 

Now we can go buy a 40" tv at the store, and carry it out ourselves.  Then we bring it home and hang it on the wall!   We have a remote for everything...the tv, sound system, dvd player, etc.  We don't have bulky vhs tapes sitting around anymore (well, unless you're me...I can't let them go).  Our tv's don't have picture tubes anymore, so we'll probably miss out on watching the green people on tv.

Now if we are looking for someone all we have to do is start up the computer and hop online.  We don't have to go to the library (unless thats where you use the computer).  We don't even look at the phone book anymore (mine makes nice scrap paper for the kids). 

Yes, my friends, I am going somewhere with all of this.  I posted the other day on facebook that something that I've been wanting to happen for YEARS may finally be happening.  I know some of you are at the edge of your seats in curiousity as to what it is.  Well...... (I so want to say: you'll have to wait until tomorrow...) here goes....

Many many years ago (I want to say it was at least 15), I was somewhere with my grandmother (RIP Gramcracker)...I think it was Knoebels or Centralia or the coal mine up there, or something.  And I found someone's class ring.  It was from Shamokin Area High School, class of 1987.  The ring was engraved "Joseph A. Reed". 

Shortly after I found this ring, I tried all the ways I knew how to find the owner.  As the years have gone by and technology has progressed, I've kept trying.  I kept an eye on Classmates.com.  I tried MySpace.  I tried Facebook.  No luck.  i tried the school's website....even emailed them at one point.  No luck.  So I gave up again and put the ring back into my jewelry box.  Then I moved...a couple times.

I was cleaning out a box the other day and came across my jewelry box.  I opened it up to see what all I had stashed in there...and came across the ring.  So once again I get the itch to find Joseph Reed. 

I jump on Classmates.....there's a Joseph Reed from the class of '87!  So I send him a message.  Then, after I sent it, I realize that most people never really look at their classmates account anymore....so I gave Facebook a try.  Using as much searching as I could.....I FOUND HIM!!!  I sent him a message asking if he graduated in 1987 and if that was his name.....he responded that it was!  So I sent him another message telling him the story about this ring.  I'm still waiting to hear for sure from him....but I can't imagine there'd be many Joseph A. Reed's in the class of '87 from Shamokin.

I'm so excited I'm going to burst!  I've had this ring FOREVER and may be able to finally return it to it's owner!  I'll update as things progress. 

(I hope I didn't disappoint with my explanation!)