“I have to work with computers and phones all the time in my
work, either sitting in front of a screen or living by the apps
on my mobile. I think the number of voice-to-voice phone
calls has gone down a lot in the last few years, but with
Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and so on, I feel sort of
chained to technology the entire length of the working week.
So when the weekend comes, there’s nothing I like better
than switching off the computer, the mobile and the landline
and enjoying real peace and quiet. We live near to some
fields and open country, and I can listen to the birds sing, go
for long walks, maybe drop in at our local pub and have a
drink with some of the locals. It’s not exciting, I grant you, but it’s very relaxing and helps me remember I’m a human
being, not a part of some computerised machine. Of course,
by Sunday night I’m already thinking about the working week
ahead, but never mind. I’ve had those two days to recharge
my batteries, as they say.”
Teaching English. The British Council, 2016. Adapted.