Friday, February 20, 2009

It's Like, Woah

I had a bit of a mental pause this morning. Ibis asked what today's date is, then answered himself before I could. He was shocked to discover it's already February 20th. We couldn't believe it's almost the end of February already!

It seems we do this every year - shake our heads in disbelief at how quickly time passes. But what's crazy about THIS particular February 20th is in a little over ten months it'll be 2010.

As in A Space Odyssey. Are you kidding me?

I remember being a kid and daydreaming about what life would be like in the year 2010. For sure we'd have hover crafts - there was no question about that - but what would we wear? Would we eat freeze-dried food like that astronaut ice cream we bought at the Air & Space Museum? Would we be best buddies with the little green men from Mars?

Surprisingly, our clothes are pretty much the same as what we wore in the 80s (minus a bit of florescent coloring), people still seem to prefer natural foods (although some junk food has me wondering), and we've yet to make contact with Martians (but not for lack of trying.) As for the hovercrafts, if this economy keeps up we won't be going anywhere, so our form of transportation won't be as important compared with the basic necessities.

Aside from the technological advances, our lives are still pretty much the same as they were back then. We're in closer communication with everyone, but we still have the same worries, the same fears, and the same hopes for future generations. Even if it is almost the "future."

Is there anything that you thought would be part of our daily lives by now that isn't? Or something that is that's surprised you?

Now please excuse me while I go polish my moon boots.

18 comments:

Allen said...

Two words... jet pack.


I have been waiting patiently since 1969 for my jet pack that Walter Kronkite promised me would be here by the turn of the century.

So, who do I sue?

Okay, I'm calm now.

Melanie Hooyenga said...

ROFL! They are working on that, right? I say sue Bill Gates or Steve Jobs. The two of them have led so many technological changes that you think they could have slipped a jet pack into one of their numerous upgrades.

Anonymous said...

I may have watched too many episodes of The Jetsons and Lost in Space, but I want a robot that does housework!

Melanie Hooyenga said...

Pam, NOW we're talking! I just finished ironing - something that's difficult to do on a pillow-top mattress - and I would love some help.

Anonymous said...

"our clothes are pretty much the same as what we wore in the 80s (minus a bit of florescent coloring"

Oh, how I long for an eighties hair comeback.

Melanie Hooyenga said...

Auria, please tell me you're joking... I don't think my budget can handle that much hairspray.

Spy Scribbler said...

Oh gosh! Oh boy, that's scary. That is real scary. Just the change since 2000 in the way I use the internet. Before then, I'd pop on maybe 20 minutes every couple days. Now?

Wow. Now it feels like I pop OFF maybe 20 minutes every couple days!

Anonymous said...

Many people think I'm joking, but I'm not. Why should our generation be the only one with hair gone wrong HS pictures?

Let's share the love!

Robin said...

That's so funny! I never made the connection of next year and THE 2010, but you're so right! I think I thought hover crafts and jet packs, like you guys. But I never would have dreamed up the internet, cell phones and computers! I guess Al Gore really did have more foresight than me!

My friends went on a Segway tour of Cozumel while we were all on our recent vacation. Does that count as a hovercraft?

JLC said...

Ack! Thanks for making me feel older!

I think there have been many advances in medicine, health, and the miniaturizing of gadgets. I mean.. we may not have hover crafts, but we do have nav. devices that tell us where to go! :)

Melanie Hooyenga said...

Spy, yeah, I'm a little concerned with the amount of time I spend online. I think it'd be different if I had a job or friends here, but still.

Melanie Hooyenga said...

Auria, lol. :)

Melanie Hooyenga said...

Robin, I know! it hit us yesterday and we were like Holy crap! I think a Segway tour through Cozumel definitely counts as something futuristic. Especially because it's Cozumel.

Melanie Hooyenga said...

Turkey, good point on the teeny gadgets. I still can't believe you can have the internet wirelessly in your hand - that's nutso.

Nadine said...

When the movie Back to the Future came out, they had hooverboards. I wanted one SO BAD and Matel said they were going to do one in the next year or two.

Well, I'm still waiting.

Melanie Hooyenga said...

Nadine! That would be so cool. :)

Anonymous said...

I scared of how much we use robots/intelligent design. I think we haven't really wrestled enough with the ripple effects, but now Pandora's box is already open. And I keep hoping for - but being very afraid of - time travel/transportation.

Melanie Hooyenga said...

Excellent point. Someday all these gadgets are going to catch up with us, not to mention the high-powered computers.

It's like Maximum Overdrive. :)