1. Remotes Are Small Keyboards Now
I sat down to watch something simple. The remote had more buttons than my first car had features.
Half of them look like they were named by engineers during a thunderstorm.
TV used to be “On.” Now it’s “navigate,” which is a very confident word for a man who just wants the news and maybe a ballgame.
2. Every App Wants To Know Me Better
I opened one app for a quick check and it asked for my location, notification preferences, and whether I wanted to improve my experience.
No, thank you.
My experience would improve if the app stopped treating a ten-second visit like the beginning of a relationship.
3. The Doorbell Is a Mini Emergency
It rings and the whole house reacts like a fire drill. The dog loses his mind, I lose my confidence, and both of us sprint.
Then it’s a package I ordered three days ago and forgot about completely.
Retirement tip: if you don’t move, there is a fair chance it was never for you.
4. Evenings Have a Softer Pace
The light changes and everything slows down a notch. The day stops demanding answers and starts offering quiet.
It feels like the house is turning the volume down.
Nothing dramatic happens. That’s the point.
5. This Week’s Unexpected Gratitude
The “Back” button.
Quietly undoing my mistakes for years without asking for credit.
The closest thing to grace technology has ever offered.
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Steady on,
Bill Black
Porch Caretaker, Humble Observer
P.S. Our first book “Ask A Retired Guy, Volume 1”, is available on Amazon. 101 pages of questionable wisdom delivered as 26 porch conversations, and a Father’s Day gift for the retired guy who doesn’t need another mug. Find it at BPlol.com
A few more porch stops before you go:
I teach computers for beginners for my side gig. The first thing I teach them is “Undo”. I say, if you make a mistake just stop, don’t hit any more keys or click your mouse, just take a breath and undo.