Being in the English minority in Hong Kong means that certain looks and language skills are highly marketable. Our kiwi (slang for New Zealander) neighbor scouted us out for a television commercial that needed a young American couple. We didn’t take the job but it was a flattering idea. However, a job that I have recently picked up is anything but flattering. I’ve signed the past two weeks of my life away to proofread a 1,000+ page technical robotic manual. It’s good money for 30 hours of work but the real value lies in the realization that computers are unhealthy and addictive.
First of all, I can’t sit for extended periods of time. A constant spinal slouch sets in and I begin to sympathize with Aaron’s unhealthy curvature.
And then I need something to munch on. I start to understand why Aaron has switched from potato chips to gum.
So the first week of this drawl robotic language just about killed me. Luckily, every two hours or so I got comic relief when the manual explained that if some code wasn’t typed or if some button wasn’t pushed then the robotic arm would continue on a certain path “forever.” I just imagined an oversized alien robot that wouldn’t ever die.
And the only other joke was that after five lines of robotic instruction, the phrase “in other words” appeared followed by another five lines of confusion.
Truth be told, I don’t know what in the world these robots do. I’m the first native English speaker to look at the manual. It was translated from some European language. The important thing is that I can edit the mistakes with confidence, which hasn’t been an issue, and I’m on page 600.
But the weirdest thing about this computer job is how eerily addictive it is. It’s like the computer is my new friend even though it’s sucking my health and humor.
I go to work and my body aches from constantly sitting, but my mind is thinking about the computer. It’s a disease.
This is the last computer job that I will ever take.
§Commentary
have you thought about getting a more ergonomic chair/stool?
The warning sign for the computer addictiveness is when you IM Aaron while you are sitting next to him. your not there yet.. maybe in a couple of months ;-)
Now you know why Mom’s ready to retire!!! Although it’s not a computer, sitting over a steno machine for an entire day of court can’t be any better.
Ha! I found out early in our marriage that if I stand in the office doorway and call Aaron’s name it does no good. But if I get on my computer and IM him then I get instant gratification.
Pete calls his computer baby. Its the last thing he checks at night and the first thing he looks at in the morning. I am replaceable without a doubt. Jenny, you are stronger than this addiction. You can over come it!! Fight it :) Maybe we should start a 12 step program.
How does Kiwi connect with New Zealander? I mean why are they called Kiwi? Seems funny :)
Now that the two of you are addicted to the computer it’s a good thing Grandma is there to watch Maeli. I would have been worried!
New Zealanders are called Kiwis because it’s a lot easier to say than New Zealander! The Kiwi <a href=”http://images.google.com.hk/imgres?imgurl=http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2006/02/images/060217kiwi.jpg&imgrefurl=http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2006/02/0217060217kiwi.html&h=370&w=461&sz=41&hl=en&start=1&um=1&tbnid=KvkIfqAAnKMNM:&tbnh=103&tbnw=128&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dkiwi%2Bbird%2Bpictures%26svnum%3D10%26um%3D1%26hl%3Den%26client%3Dfirefox-a%26rls%3Dorg.mozilla:en-US:official%26hs%3D498%26sa%3DX”>http://images.google.com.hk/imgres?imgurl=http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2006/02/images/060217kiwi.jpg&imgrefurl=http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2006/02/0217060217kiwi.html&h=370&w=461&sz=41&hl=en&start=1&um=1&tbnid=KvkIfqAAnKMNM:&tbnh=103&tbnw=128&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dkiwi%2Bbird%2Bpictures%26svnum%3D10%26um%3D1%26hl%3Den%26client%3Dfirefox-a%26rls%3Dorg.mozilla:en-US:official%26hs%3D498%26sa%3DX</a> is a type of bird that is native to New Zealand.