Musing: How Tech Has Changed My View of Long Lines

I used to hate long lines. Whether waiting in a security line at the airport that goes out of the door and wraps around the building or waiting ten minutes on the highway for every inch I can creep forward, I would become quickly agitated by the experience of waiting. However, technology has dramatically changed the waiting game inherent in long lines.

My iPod Nano with video lets me view audio and video podcasts which while the long minutes in queue tick by. I currently have 1.6 days of content to go through so I am always looking for opportunities work through my list. The Nano sports a bright screen, and I have some comfortable ear phones so I always enjoy looking at the device.

I use my Windows Mobile Standard Smartphone to keep up with email and SMS text messages. With push functionality from my company's Exchange servers, I am always getting a fresh stream of messages to which I must respond. For fun, I can also update my twitter stream, and I also have the superb SlingPlayer Mobile application that allows me to stream content from my television at home. I also keep up with the Internets by using the Smartphone version of Internet Explorer and pRSSreader to get the latest online content.

With these two devices, I actually LOOK for long lines. There are times that I am at the grocery store, and I will go the the longest line so that I finish a podcast on my iPod or a SportsCenter segment via SlingPlayer Mobile on my Smartphone. Due to the wonders of technology, I now approach long lines with anticipation instead of dread.