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Unplugging
May. 1st, 2004 10:51 pmSeveral years ago I owned an old microwave oven. One day, I went to toss in some hamburger to defrost and instead of asking how long I wanted to defrost it, it asked for a "probe temperature". Well, this microwave didn't have any option for a probe and no matter what buttons I pushed, it kept asking for the "probe temperature".
So I finally called an electronics shop and they said that the "microwave is confused" and that I needed to unplug it completely and let it rest for a while and it would be fine. And it was.
Since that time I have used that advice "Unplug it completely and let it rest for a while" to solve a lot of problems: computers that don't work, VCRs that don't want to give up their tapes and DVD players that are problematic. It seems that when things are plugged in all the time, they occasionally overload and need to unplug in order to work properly again.
It's a good thing to keep in mind, not just about electronics but about myself as well.
For the moment I wake up in the morning, I'm plugged in. I check my email, turn on the news, read the morning papers and check in on the blogs I'm reading on line. I go over the plans of the day with my husband and daughter, I mentally run through my to do list and double check the calendar to make sure that I'm prepared for what's ahead. Then I'm off to work where I deal with 10 different grades (PreK through 8th). I'm always plugged in there, too. Plugged into the atmosphere of the school, the nuances of child dynamics, the ebb and flow of the energy in a school day. I also have the computer on, keeping up on the thing I need to know if I'm going to be teaching all those different grades everything they need to know in order to be "computer literate". When I get home, it's back to how I started the morning.
My intentions are always good: do some writing, post to my journal, comment on the wonderful things that I read. Only, I end up going in circles, distracted by the pretty colors and interesting stories. "Oh well, I think, I'll just read and comment later." It's just that later, I'm running in the the same circles that I was when I first thought that. Sure, it was an interesting article, a fine and moving journal entry, a thought provoking statement. But there is always another article, entry and statement. All equally deserving of comment and consideration.
My own thoughts are trapped in others, reactions to what others have said, rebuttals or echoes of other people's words. Until I'm not sure if I have anything good or interesting to say or add.
There are times I need to remember that I, too, need to "unplug and rest for a while". Pull back. Gain perspective. Break the circle of constant noise and focus on what I really think rather than just react to what others are thinking.
A hell of a lot easier said than done, mind you. But all in all better than going through life asking for "probe temperature".
So I finally called an electronics shop and they said that the "microwave is confused" and that I needed to unplug it completely and let it rest for a while and it would be fine. And it was.
Since that time I have used that advice "Unplug it completely and let it rest for a while" to solve a lot of problems: computers that don't work, VCRs that don't want to give up their tapes and DVD players that are problematic. It seems that when things are plugged in all the time, they occasionally overload and need to unplug in order to work properly again.
It's a good thing to keep in mind, not just about electronics but about myself as well.
For the moment I wake up in the morning, I'm plugged in. I check my email, turn on the news, read the morning papers and check in on the blogs I'm reading on line. I go over the plans of the day with my husband and daughter, I mentally run through my to do list and double check the calendar to make sure that I'm prepared for what's ahead. Then I'm off to work where I deal with 10 different grades (PreK through 8th). I'm always plugged in there, too. Plugged into the atmosphere of the school, the nuances of child dynamics, the ebb and flow of the energy in a school day. I also have the computer on, keeping up on the thing I need to know if I'm going to be teaching all those different grades everything they need to know in order to be "computer literate". When I get home, it's back to how I started the morning.
My intentions are always good: do some writing, post to my journal, comment on the wonderful things that I read. Only, I end up going in circles, distracted by the pretty colors and interesting stories. "Oh well, I think, I'll just read and comment later." It's just that later, I'm running in the the same circles that I was when I first thought that. Sure, it was an interesting article, a fine and moving journal entry, a thought provoking statement. But there is always another article, entry and statement. All equally deserving of comment and consideration.
My own thoughts are trapped in others, reactions to what others have said, rebuttals or echoes of other people's words. Until I'm not sure if I have anything good or interesting to say or add.
There are times I need to remember that I, too, need to "unplug and rest for a while". Pull back. Gain perspective. Break the circle of constant noise and focus on what I really think rather than just react to what others are thinking.
A hell of a lot easier said than done, mind you. But all in all better than going through life asking for "probe temperature".
