Klaus Doring

I wake up early every morning. I get into the kitchen longing for a cup of coffee or two, while feeling this terrible rheumatic pain. I slide a cup of water into my ten-years-old microwave. I feel a little bit chagrined because I have never figured out how to use it other than heat water for instant coffee or a one-minute-fast-food-soup.

My freezer showed its red emergency light a couple of days. I tried to ignore it even knowing that this indifference could only let the problem become worst. A friendly neighbor, a really blessed high-intelligent electrician and technician, solved the problem within a minute. In Germany I would have pay an horrible prize for it.

In the car i fumble with the new digital radio. Before I know it, I am tilting sideways at a 45-degree angle, trying to drive and figure out the radio numerous controls at the same time. Don’t even think about doing it in the same way. Since living here I got already scared about the traffic. But that’s another topic… Anyway, in my case, an urgent and uncomfortably close horn jolts me upright. Chastened, I only manage to turn the radio off and drive in silence.

Do you know how to operate your telephone unit in the office, if you urgently have to transfer a misdailed incoming long distance call to the right person and his local number? You have been using this system for a year or even longer, but you have never mastered the transfer function. “Just a moment,” you say as you hit the wrong button and accidentally cut the caller off. Congratulations, it was the president of a known company calling…

Do you believe me, that only after a couple of years (!) I had been able to change the paper roll of my fax machine? Many times I told myself, “Keep your shirt on!” I really got into a sweat about it. Finally I did it! Sometimes while writing another piece I couldn’t “delete” my fear how to change the ink cartridge of my printer in a proper way as requested or demanded by he manual. Later I found out how easy it was. Let’s press the ink button, and let’s be patient for 90 seconds or so during the charging process, and then, hopefully… .

Sometimes I got mad reading or trying to understand manuals or instructions. They looked like the blueprints for an airplane construction. That’s why, I, as an “old fashioned” writer (with typewriter and sometimes a glass of wine) hesitated many years to buy a computer or to get connected to the Internet. Living in the Philippines didn’t make the decision easier. “Welcome in 2007″ emailed me one of my very good friends, when I informed him about my new email address.

Another good lady friend from Davao Oriental told me: “I am still ignorant on computers. Just let me ride a carabao, and I am more comfortable rather than touching computers!”

I am sure, when something new comes on the market and we’re good in funds, we will march out and buy it, probably knowing very well that the infernal machine will, in the end, defy our mastery. Mmh, if we feel stupid for doing that, we’re really good in good company. Up to this moment high tech still gets me down. I have to buy a new computer. I am blessed I know a very good friend, who helps.

Related Posts:

How is YOUR lifestyle? (II)
Endless price increases
The guilt…
Philippine-German Relations (XIII)
Between yesterday and tomorrow
Philippine-German Relations (XXII)
Philippine-German Relations (II)
My second experiences with Rotarians
The Noble Heart and Mind
Live in the Philippines…