Although we are all aware to some extent of our connectedness, through cell phones, e-mail, Facebook, etc. I think we are all reminded of it even more so when we spend time with people of other generations. My parents use many modes of media technologies for their work and everyday communication and they recognize how important these advances are in their own lives, but they still laugh at how connected my peers and I are. My parents were up visiting for the weekend, and my dad could not hold back from commenting on how often I checked my text messages. Nothing new. He comments all the time, and has been since I got an “unlimited” texting plan three years ago. I do text an absurd amount … but is it still considered ABSURD if most people my age text that often? Then shouldn’t it become the NORMAL amount? Then my dad should be considered the weirdo who barely knows how to use the T9 function. I don’t hold that against him… what I DO wish he’d realize is just how often he checks his BlackBerry. He says, “it’s work” or claims to have not been checking it at all, when I watch him take it out of his pocket during dinner. He used to not be able to do any business while we were on family vacations, unless he brought a huge briefcase of papers to read. Even then, he would only be able to do work early in the morning at the kitchen table. Now he just brings his BlackBerry down to the lake with his book, and stays caught up on e-mails. Although I wouldn’t give up my phone because I like to be in touch with my friends, I think Daddy’s connectedness should be cut off so he can fully enjoy his vacations like he used to, completely getting away from work for a week or two. Like the good old days when he used to have to leave a house number with his secretary…