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Happy New Year’s to everyone.   I had a wonderful Christmas and New Year’s filled with friends and family, food and drink, and lots of skiing.I haven’t posted much this last week as we were in Vermont skiing.  We had a fabulous time, notwitstanding that we left a day early to beat an enourmous blizzard.  We had an extra day that we spent in Montreal, and New Year’s Day found us at the Insectarium and Biodome.  Two incredible attractions, that we all enjoyed.  I’d recommend them highly to anyone who likes natural history.  We met up with our dear friends Mike and Lisa and their three kids in Vermont.  I went to University with Mike, so our friendship runs long and deep.

Unfortunately (or not) I forgot my ‘electronics’ bag that had my laptop and camera in it.  So the downside was no posting or reading anyone else, no photos of a magnificent family holiday.  I also could have used some time to work on the latest grant application that I am writing.

The upside was no distractions from my life. 

This in combination with some buzz in the web 2.0 world about why women aren’t on the development end really got me to thinking about how much I use my laptop, and what for.  It’s a tool to accomplish the usual jobs like banking and emails, but also to keep current and to distract myself from some of the day to day life I live.  I watched a few people using their machines at the hotel (only the lounge had internet).  It seemed the same 2 people who couldn’t relax.  I must say that it brought up the same old discussion that I have with friends and family….is technology a gift or curse?  For our part, H left his crackberry at home and my phone was off.  Our friends who we went with aren’t as wired as we are, for them it’s not an issue.

I am beginning to think there are really three kinds of people.  Those who are completely immersed in the web and all its trappings, those who use it a tool, and those who don’t use it at all.  Three groups with entirely disparate perspectives on technology I suppose. 

I decided that a week away from the internet was a good thing for me - until I got home to 118 emails, and all the work. Oh well!  It was worth it.  I’ll post some photos when our friends send us them.