The Day I Found Carmen Sandiego

Between 1st and 5th grade, I stared at a computer screen learning how to type the same combinations of letters over...and over...and over... and all I could think about was when the typing would be over. 2nd grade I was introduced to the game "Prime Munchers" where one would attempt to eliminate the prime numbers. The mere thought of "Prime Munchers," to this day, brings back a spectrum of grand memories of my little fingers punching the arrow keys and the space bar. But not as much as Oregon Trail. In 5th grade, after months of traveling, but mainly hunting for buffalo, I finally completed my trek to Oregon!

My grandmother, oddly enough, acquired a computer before my family. Keep in mind, this was before every home had one. But as she used it for e-mail and practicing typing, I used it for creativity. Microsoft Paint gave me a new way of doing art and Microsoft Word gave me a means of writing. Though many may believe that I'm not a geek at all, but rather a sexy rock star, I have had my moments. In short, I typed a 150 page science fiction story when I was in the sixth grade. But that's for another time.

The internet didn't come until we had our very own computer...with Windows 98! Christmas 1998 my parents got the family a computer! Our very first...The infamous Gateway Astro! To my eyes it was beautiful! Our first ISP (internet service provider) was Earthlink because I watched a lot of ZD TV...and they said it was good. We thought it was too slow so we went with Compuserve. It was better for a couple of years. We finally made the switch to Charter and have been satisfied ever since.

I grew in interest of being a video game designer. In the 8th grade (through a connection) I received Wil Wright's e-mail. In case you are not familar, Wil Wright is the creator of "Sim City" and "The Sims." I sent him some artwork and a message about how I want to become a game designer.  To my surprise, he wrote me back!  That meant a lot to an eighth grader with big, geeky dreams.

My cousin was always brilliant with a computer so he showed me how to download music.  My very first downloaded song was "Never Let You Go," by Third Eye Blind.  I never used Napster but rather WinMX.

My internet life was never the same once I discovered the beauty of Facebook, quickly followed by Myspace.  Myspace gave me an outlet to write as I stumbled across the art of blogging.  As I began recording music I found myself creating five more Myspace accounts!  One for my electric guitar project, one for my acoustic project, worship project, electronica project, and one for my band, Young and Running.  With the new music also came Purevolume accounts, which broadened our spectrum of potential listeners.

The internet, for me, has been a great medium for communicating and advertising.  In some ways, life became easier.  In other ways, more frustrating.  There is a demand in everyday life to connect online in one way or another.  A new dependence has emerged, whether most want to admit it or not.