My first computer was supposed to
have a backlit keyboard. It never worked. So I just got used to squinting in
the dark to see it, having to have a light on, or leaning the screen down so I could
actually place my fingers in the proper place. More often than not I ended up
typing nonsense words because, though I can type without looking at the
keyboard or screen (while carrying on a total separate conversation and
occasionally also listening to music) none is helpful if your fingers are two spots
over from where they’re supposed to be.
I am a writer, as you know. And I often
do most of my writing in the dark as I am a night owl and my creative mind
wakes up at about 10pm (if I can manage to stay up that late without falling
asleep, exhausted from the day’s events) So, as you can probably imagine, a backlit
keyboard becomes less of a luxury and more of a necessity.
When I was looking for a new computer
to replace the nearly ten year old one that was finally dying on me, a backlit keyboard
became one of my main criteria. It took me a long time to finally find one that
had everything I wanted but I did succeed. I ended up paying quite a bit more
for such a luxury, but now that I have it, I can’t imagine living without it! Not
when I do as much nighttime writing as I do.
Everyone has those luxuries they
want to have to make life easier or more enjoyable. Some may call them unnecessary
frills. Trust me, I had plenty of people ask me “Do you really NEED a backlit
keyboard if it’s going to cost you that much more money?” but I stuck with my
gut and went for it. For some it may be a luxury, for me it is a necessity. Be
sensitive to others needs, they will be different then your own.
So thank you my backlit keyboard
for helping me become the writer God has called me to be. Perhaps I will
actually finish that book I’ve been working on… One can always hope…
