BlackBerryless

I left my BlackBerry at home for my last morning of work before leaving on our holiday. I didn't mean to leave it at home, perched up on its ledge where it gets charged up overnight, but I think leaving it at home is a good thing. This needs to be my weaning off period, my electronic detox.

For the next twelve days I will be without my constant companion, "my little friend". I made the decision to truly go "off the grid" as the boss gave me permission to do so, and that it made practical economic sense. I've heard horror stories of people using cell phones and BlackBerrys when out of country and getting stung with horrendous phone bills upon their return. So, in these austere times, leaving it up on the ledge makes sense.

But what does this unparalleled separation mean to my psychology? Most importantly, it allows me to park my connection to everything back home, to truly shut things off and focus on nothing but relaxing and hanging out with my family. Honestly, this hasn't happened for more than a couple of days at a stretch for four years, since Keyano College invested in BlackBerrys for its administrative staff.

I won't be able tweet, something I'm prone to doing while sitting around observing things. I won't be able to update my Facebook status--pass the Tylenol please! I won't be able to keep on top of my email Inbox, which will grow by hundreds in just a matter of days.

What I'm certain to discover is that this disconnection, this forced separation from responsibility, accountability and my electronic universe is actually freeing. I fully suspect that time will stop and that seven days in Mexico will feel like 14 or 21. And I can gain comfort by reminding myself that when I pull into the driveway, open up the door, walk down the hall and look up at the ledge, my BlackBerry will still be there, happily chirping away.

April 1 - 2010 193.4 pounds, 27.9% body fat