DAY 1: Tuesday, May 13th.

6:51 PM:      I have felt my first panic.  What if something happens and I’m not there?  What if I’m needed?  Only one hour after I turned off my cell phone and the internet I felt a panic.  I have grown so accustomed to having everyone at my fingertips always that I feel completely marooned the world.  I attempted sleeping to pass the time but I’m not tired.  This is much more difficult that I thought it would be. 

I’m certain by now almost everyone has read the Note I posted at 4:15 PM today.  I am currently fighting two urges.  One, to see if anyone has left any messages concerning my experiment. Two, to turn on my cell phone and check on any messages I might have received back.  I had made several phone calls before I made the decision to disconnect myself and I don’t know if those people have called or texted back. 

Instant Messenger is the easiest to avoid. 

I can’t sit here and mope I have to find something to occupy my time without using the internet.  How did I do it in 1995?  I can barely remember.

7:30 PM:    I’ve started to become productive.  I’m working on spreadsheets for the business.  I’ve figured out how it will cost to pay my employees.  I have a good idea how many hours a week I will have them work, both front and back of the house.  I’m adding more to the menu and estimating how much food per week I will need.  Food cost, food cost, food cost.

I have decided for the sake of productivity I am going to extend my being a hermit for an additional 24 hours.  I’ll have Stocky post a note so everyone won’t worry about me. 

9:30 PM:    I just got in from Hastings, I looked at Bibles for the last hour or so.  It was a tough decision but I decided against getting a study Bible.  They were overpriced.  Besides, I have a hard time trusting the interpretation of someone who is making that much money off of Bible sales. 

I decided to get a New King James Version.  It’s small, leather bound and easy to read.  It incredibly light weight as well so I can actually keep it in my computer bag with me.  I’d hate to not carry it with me just because it weighs too much. 

I opened it to an interesting verse when I was at Hastings.  Proverbs 18:1 “A man who isolates himself seeks his own desire; He rages against all wise judgment.”  Well, here I am isolating myself from all electronic communication.  However, I think this verse isn’t talking about 48 hours without facebook.  I have isolated myself from the Christian community for the past four years.  It’s definitely time to look for a new tribe.  I love Proverbs!  It’s the Haiku of the Christian Faith!

I have removed the links to Safari, Mail, and iChat from my task bar for the rest of this experiment.  I’ve turned the networking feature off on my computer.  They are too much of a temptation. 

11:38 PM:    I’m anxious again.  Stocky just posted the 48 hour declaration.  I’m wondering if anyone even cares that I’ve decided to do this.  Am I missed, and if so how are people responding.  If not, why am I not missed?  This is why I decided to extend my leave of absence.  24 hours just wasn’t enough time to experience this. 

I know that Austin was worried because I was listed as a reference for his new condo in Nashville.  Is everyone okay?  I just don’t know.  I’m worried for everyone.  Does someone need me right now?

I don’t want to think about it anymore.  I’m going to bed.  It will be nice to see the girls at work tomorrow.  Real interaction with real people… go figure!

DAY 2: Wednesday, May 14th.

4:04 PM:    This isn’t easy.  If I had stuck to the original plan I would be talking to everyone right now online.  However, I am not.  I’m looking for a Wednesday night service to go to tonight.  I’m surprised to find that none of the Methodist churches in town seem to have one.

I’m realizing what this is all about though.  I’m getting back to basics.  I’ll be honest, the idea of isolating myself wasn’t something I’d been thinking about for a long time.  I just did it.  I didn’t know what to expect.  I wasn’t sure what I would do with my time away from everyone.  I knew that I wasn’t at peace with myself and all of these communication devices were simply becoming a distraction. 

I must admit I got online tonight.  But only to find a Wednesday night church service.  After fifteen minutes of searching I’ve decided to just go with Stocky to his church tonight.  Better than nothing I guess.

5:17 PM:    I value my time WITH people more.  Now that I can’t just call all of my friends I’ve found that I wait with eager anticipation to even go to work.  I’m excited about going to church tonight.  Sure it’s a church of Christ, but the interaction will be worth my time.  My relationships are much more tangible.

8:36 PM:     Back from Stocky’s church.  While there I talked with some older women about my 48 hour vacation from everyone.  One of them made mention that her television had died and ever since she was reading more and her dreams were much more vivid.  I thought this was interesting because I’ve been experiencing the same thing with the people I interact with. 

With out television her mind was forced to think deeper into the books she was reading.  Instead of becoming a vegetable in front of the boob tube she was actively involving her mind. 

In the same way my interaction with the people around means more.  Trite text messages and wall posts on facebook don’t mean much in the grand scheme of things.  Even talking on my cell phone is nothing compared to the communication that transposes face to face with someone.  I’m almost sad to see this 48 hours end.

10:09 PM:    Just got in from the Murfreesboro Athletic Center.  My abs hate me right now.  I go into work early tomorrow morning and after that my 48 hours is over.  I’ll be back amongst the world of cell phones and instant messages. 

I’m not sure if any one has missed me at this point.  I know there is potential to damage relationships when communication is cut off.  While I can cut off communication I can’t cut off my relationships.  But alas, I did this for me and no one else.  I’ve learned a little bit about being an individual.   In the end it’s just me and God anyway, right?  There are no cell phones in heaven.  Facebook isn’t necessary to have a relationship with someone (but it can help with “hook-ups”).  Through Him all things are possible, not through technology.  I don’t think these will be my final statements on this. 

I can see the light at the end of the tunnel!  Can you see me?

Day 3, May 15th.

4:15 PM:    I’m back online to tell everyone what I learned.  Three important lessons.

1. One can survive without cell phones and internet for 48 hours.  I did it.  I’m much better for it.

2. Our relationships were never meant to be over the phone or online.  We live in communication age but we hardly ever communicate on a level that is worthy of mention.

3. Take away everyone from your life for just a short amount of time and you will reevaluate your positions on many things.  I found solace in reading my new Bible, working out at the gym, working on my business plan. 

This won’t be the last time I try this.  Next time I might go for a week. 

Thank you for all of your messages on the phone and otherwise.  You are all wonderful friends and I’m so very blessed to have you.