Work-life balance?

I’m in the middle of a dilemma.  Can someone explain how things which are designed to reduce our workload and save time often come with a 600 page manual?  I often find myself in front of the latest piece of technology Googling “How do I…?”  only to find that 60 minutes later and a couple of games of Angry Birds, (just to clear my head you understand) I’m seriously contemplating the high tech approach offered by the photocopier, laminator and a pair of scissors!  Gone are the days when the most complex part of a machine was the on/off button.   Where the response you would get when the “thing” wouldn’t work was “Is it plugged in…?”  and a grimace or two from the IT department when their finest technician had climbed up several flights of stairs, (the lift being out of order) hoping for a career making challenge, only to find that the lead has come loose at the back – well, why don’t they make all the machines the same so that I know what I’m looking for?  So this week I’m juggling “Tweeting” with “Blogging” and “Paddling” in the hope that I don’t sink under the sea of downloadable “quick start” guides, in danger of never experiencing the freedom from laborious paper-shuffling that the informed use of ICT brings.  Any thoughts anyone…..?

To Blog or not to blog .....?

Who determines what is and isn't worth blogging about?   Surely it is somewhat presumptuous to think that others will make time to share the thoughts of an average Joe, or Jayne,  for that matter?  Maybe it depends upon your psyche.  Freud would have a field day!  With a wide variety of topics to choose from will it be fluffy kittens, which show your feminine and playful side or monster trucks which expose the alpha male?  It’s not what you actually say but the impression you leave behind.  Beware your fractured ego when your followers go AWOL – pick yourself up, dust yourself down, there’s always Twitter! 

Dinosaur ....?

Who would have thought it!   Within the last 5 weeks I have created Pinterest boards, MrsJB'sBlogs, Diigo and a Twitter account.  Not bad for a technophobe who struggles to master the mysteries of the mobile phone .... Apple, Orange, Blackberry, Galaxy .... sounds like a shopping list to me!
When I say "I" I really mean my 13 year old daughter.  Does that count?  No more Jimmy Choo or Prada for me.  My wish list now reads Iphone, Ipad, Ipod, Kindle ... and the all important teenager to operate them!

Break out the champagne!

Welcome to my first post.  I have some exciting news to share with you all.  I have successfully completed my studies in External Quality Assurance.  I owe a debt of gratitude to my assessor Jacqui, without whose help I would not have been able to complete the course.  It is fair to say that the Benn household is awash with the fizzy bubbles this evening!!