10 Great Web uses in my life

Decided after the last two posts that I needed to take on a bit "lighter" topic. Pouring your heart about deep family secrets (even if you are writing them down solely for yourself) is a truly exhausting way to spend your time!

Before I get started (and you fall asleep), Rach is 11 weeks pregnant and doing well. Kids were over for Easter and the new house works great with them. Our most peaceful and best holiday at home together yet.

In less than 10 years of using the web as a daily part of life, it has become indispensable. Thinking about that led me to wonder what others perceptions of the top 10 uses of the web has been so far in their life. Here are mine, let me know what you think:

1) Marriage. Has to come at the top, as my wife Rachel and I met on line back in 2003 (at that time, no one openly talked about meeting people on line)

2) News from home. Having spent the last 15 years away from the US, the web has saved me. Every day I look up my Houston sports team scores. Yes, most days that does lead to disappointment, but at least I always know.

3) Keeping in touch with my family and friends. Most of my family have gotten on the web bandwagon. My sis is an expert, even my Mom has an email address. I have to include the regular emails from Warren and Michael Huebner that take up the majority of my download bandwidth, and occasionally bring a bit of laughter!

4) Research. How else would I have found half of the useless facts that I constantly bombard the unfortunate souls who are a part of my daily life.

5) Content. I download an audio book each month, listen to lots of podcasts, read several blogs a day and purchase the majority of my music online.

6) Finding lost friends. Recently tracked down Dierk Herbermann, a friend from my early days of moving to Germany. Hadn't heard from him in just under 15 years. That leaves about 6 on my list, Brian Boudeaux, Tim Jarvis, Mike McGregor, Steve Sellers, Troy Smith and Stefan Hiller.

7) Technology. How else would we keep up on the latest gadgets that we have to have and never needed and will never use? Works even better if you get hooked on key sites that drive your interest and create a whole new hobby for you (thanks Neville)

8) A whole new set of friends. I am sure you all have a set of friends that you never see yet are in constant contact with. I am not a good letter writer, so this format would never have worked in the old days.

9) Debate. There is not any other way that I would get to sound off on a host of topics that I am ill-equipped to be commenting on.

10) This blog. Still don't know who I am writing for, but I know it has helped me sort out my feelings and beliefs on some very difficult topics. It has also opened up dialogue with family members and friends on subjects that have been very difficult in the past.