I hope you can see this.
Right, so I’ve had this drone for a good few years now, it’s not like I’m new to it or anything, no, it’s been sitting around gathering dust for quite a while. Not that I ever truly mastered it, mind you, but I’ve been giving it a go now and then, thinking maybe this time it’ll all just click, you know? You’d think after a few years of trying I’d have gotten the hang of it by now, but no, technology and me don’t really see eye to eye, never have, and I doubt we ever will. It’s not that I don’t try – I do, I really do – but these modern gadgets, well, they’ve got a mind of their own if you ask me. Still, there’s this drone, and every so often I convince myself that it’d be a good idea to take it out again, give it another whirl, see if maybe this time I’ll finally get it right, but it always ends up the same way, doesn’t it? Anyway, today was one of those days. I woke up, looked outside, and saw that, for once, it wasn’t raining, and I thought, “Well, this might be a good day to dust off the old drone.” I don’t know what I was thinking. I should’ve known better, really, but once the idea’s in my head, there’s no getting rid of it. So, I went into the cupboard where I keep all sorts of bits and bobs – you know the type, random things you don’t use but don’t throw away either – and after digging around for a bit, there it was, the drone, sitting there like it’s been waiting for me to mess up with it again. Now, you’d think that’d be the hard part done, just finding the thing, but oh no, we’re just getting started.
First off, the battery, as usual, was completely flat. I should’ve expected that by now, really, but it’s still annoying every single time. You’d think with all the advancements in technology, they’d have figured out how to make a battery that holds a charge for more than five minutes, but apparently not. So, there I was, hunting for the charger, which, of course, was nowhere to be found. I swear, every time I use this drone, that charger ends up in a different place. It’s like it’s got legs and just wanders off whenever I’m not looking. After what felt like an eternity of rummaging through drawers and muttering under my breath, I finally found the blasted thing tangled up with a load of old cables and chargers for other things I probably don’t even own anymore. So, I plug the drone in and sit there, waiting for it to charge, staring at it like that’s going to make it go faster. I tell you, there’s nothing quite like waiting for a battery to charge to make you question all your life choices.
Anyway, eventually, the thing’s charged up enough to get going, so I think, “Right, time to take it out for a spin.” But, of course, it’s never that simple, is it? No, with these modern gadgets, you can’t just press a button and off you go. No, you’ve got to connect it to your phone, because apparently, a simple remote control is too much to ask for these days. Now, finding my phone wasn’t exactly the easiest task either, mind you, because, as usual, it had somehow made its way to the most inconvenient place possible – under the sofa cushions. So there I am, on my hands and knees, reaching under the cushions, pulling out old receipts, pens, and coins, until finally, there it is, my phone, looking as dead as a doornail. Typical, isn’t it? I’d forgotten to charge that too. So, back to square one, waiting for yet another thing to charge. At this point, I was seriously considering giving up and just having a nice cup of tea instead, but no, I’d already come this far, hadn’t I? So I plug the phone in, and wait, and wait some more, all the while wondering why on earth I thought this was a good idea in the first place.
Finally, after what feels like an age, everything’s charged up, and I’m ready to go. Or at least, I think I am. You see, I haven’t even opened the app yet, and sure enough, when I do, there’s some sort of update that needs installing before I can use it. I tell you, these updates are the bane of my existence. Every time I try to use something, there’s always an update waiting, and it’s never quick, is it? No, it’s always one of those “this may take a few minutes” updates that ends up taking a good half hour, and there’s nothing you can do but sit there and wait for it to finish. So that’s what I did. I sat there, staring at the phone, watching that little progress bar inch its way across the screen, all the while thinking to myself, “Why do I put myself through this?” Eventually, the update’s done, the drone’s connected to the phone, and I’m ready to head out. So I grab the drone, grab my phone, and make my way outside to a nice open field where I won’t cause any damage if things go wrong – which, let’s be honest, they probably will.
Now, I’ve been in this situation enough times to know that it’s best to stay well away from trees, buildings, and, well, anything that could get in the way of the drone. So I pick the biggest, emptiest spot I can find, set the drone down, and get it ready for takeoff. For a brief moment, everything seems to be going smoothly. The drone’s hovering nicely, and I’m starting to feel a bit more confident. Maybe this time it’ll be different, maybe this time I’ll actually manage to fly it without incident. But no, of course not. The wind starts to pick up, doesn’t it? Not a lot, just enough to make things difficult. Now, I’m trying to keep the drone steady, but it’s swaying this way and that, and before I know it, it’s heading off in the wrong direction entirely. I’m tapping and swiping at the screen, trying to bring it back, but it’s not having any of it. The more I try to correct it, the worse it gets. Next thing I know, it’s veering towards a tree – a tree I was sure I was far enough away from, but apparently not. I’m trying everything I can think of, but it’s no use. The drone’s got a mind of its own, and that mind is dead set on crashing into this tree.
Sure enough, it goes straight into the branches, and there it stays, lodged up there like some sort of expensive, high-tech bird’s nest. I just stand there for a minute, staring up at it, thinking, “Well, that’s that then, isn’t it?” But of course, it’s not over yet, because now I’ve got to figure out how to get the thing down. I don’t fancy climbing the tree myself – I’m not as young as I used to be, and I’d probably end up doing more harm than good. So I’m just standing there, scratching my head, wondering what to do next, when a couple of kids come over. They’ve obviously seen the whole thing, and one of them asks if I need help. Now, I’m not one to refuse a bit of assistance, but there’s something deeply embarrassing about having to rely on a child to get your drone out of a tree. Still, needs must, so I let the kid have a go, and wouldn’t you know it, he manages to shake the branches enough to dislodge the drone. It comes tumbling down, a bit battered but otherwise intact, and I thank him, trying to salvage what’s left of my dignity.
At this point, I’ve had more than enough of this drone business for one day. I pack it away, head home, and by the time I’m back in the comfort of my own armchair, I’m wondering why I ever thought flying the drone was a good idea in the first place. Honestly, I don’t know why I keep trying with it. It always ends the same way – frustration, embarrassment, and a deep-seated feeling that technology just isn’t for me. But will I try again? Probably. I’m stubborn like that.
what a palaver, You’ve really been through a trial there my friend. Can I ask what’s not gelling with you, why you’re finding it difficult to achieve a suitable outcome, Is it having to think in 4d & the ol brain overloading ?