For most of my life, I've been a free man.
Some would say I'm in prison in some ways, usually those who don't believe marriage can actually be freeing, or those who think having a semi-desk job makes be incarcerated by "the man." In many ways, owning a home is like signing away one's life and throwing away the key. But in my mind, I'm a little birdie above the talons of entrapment. Mainly because I have never regularly carried a cell phone.
But that's about to change. I've felt it coming ever since the Cutlet was born. Even more so, when I changed jobs from one that put me a 5-minute drive from home on a regular daily schedule to a position that sometimes has me galavanting through the countryside looking for abnormally large pumpkins at odd hours of the night, or attending city council meetings until dawn. It seems like knowing I'm simply "working" isn't enough. My better half now wants to know when I'll be home, what's going on, that I'm "safe" and not bleeding in a ditch somewhere.
We have a cell phone, but she usually carries that ball and chain in her purse. It's a $200 phone I got free at my previous job, and for some reason the service carrier, despite knowing I no longer work there, still gives us an unbelievably cheap employee rate ($15 a month and we've never even scratched the surface of all the minutes we get). The battery's about to go, something fixable, but the phone has been dropped in boiling liquid a few times and keeps dropping calls to get back at us.
That affordability bubble is about to burst. We checked out cell plans at one service provider to find that even being frugal (and now even with the Petite Filet's employor discount) we'll be shelling out four times the amount per month for a two-phone, shared-minutes plan. Eek! Call me on my banana!
I really don't want to become one of those people who freak out if their phones aren't within a snail's reach. Here are the symptoms:
• Phones permanently attached to ears, even in heavy traffic or at piano recitals.
• Men often clip their phones to their belts – somewhat of a status symbol, but now too ubiquitous to matter. Even while playing softball this summer, some of the guys couldn't do without their precious technological umbical cords.
• So many annoying ring tones. What happened to the simple bells of yesteryear?
• Even the TV commercials for camera phones show invasions of privacy in action. Do I need to be able to take low-quality photos wherever I go? No. I've already got such a glut of high-quality digital photos that I almost can't possibly ever look at all of them.
• What's up with text messaging? Maybe I missed the boat, but it's called e-mail and should stay on the computer. How impersonal can we get that rather than simply DIALING A NUMBER AND TALKING, we're exchanging e-mails on our cell phones? Sheesh.
• Are you so addicted to video games that you have to play one on your cell phone? Read a book, or better yet, TALK TO SOMEONE WHO IS SITTING OR STANDING NEXT TO YOU.
• It's called VOICE MAIL. That means if you're doing something fun, or interesting, or important (to you or those around you), turn the dang thing OFF!
We already use our one cell phone exclusively for long distance, so I know it has value. There've been times we've considered cutting the cord of our land line for good, but I'm too old school to do that just yet. Plus, we've still got dial-up Internet ($5.95 a month) and still use it occasionally.
Not looking forward to my sentence to life with a cell. I don't want it to change me into a phone monsta and give me the impression that because I'm able to be connected 24/7 that I've got more to say. Because, like the rest of the developed world who constantly yammers and jibbers and gabs on their cell phones, the increase in words devalues the word significantly. And the loud roar of constant convo can overtake the little, quiet parts of life that make it worth living.
I've dropped my land-line service in favor of cells--both for the wife and I--and both on that "family-type" shite plan.
Here's the great thing about going exclusively to cells: YOU CAN TURN IT OFF.
And I often do. Also, I have no annoying ring-tone. It rings like a phone should ring.
And...I don't take calls/make calls while I drive.
Also...you can tell who's calling--and you can send him/her directly to voice mail.
Since I've gotten my cell full time (2 years), I've taken 90% less phone calls than when I had a land-line.
Nice!
Don't forget...phone off at night. No one can reach you. Quiet. Solitude. Free time to slowly go insane...
I am guilty of having a different ring but not an annoying song. ;) This is because, as you say, there are so many around you now that I want to know it's mine ringing and not someone else's.
I opt to leave my cell turned off unless I need it, it's not for anyone else to track me down though -- unless my children aren't with me. Drives my Mom crazy!
I read your post and nodded in agreement. I love my cell- except when I hate my cell and I am hating it more with each passing day.
I seen someone last week who was talking on their cell while going for a run. Perhaps he just wanted to leave a heavy breathing message.
btw: great blog (this is my first time here). I shall bookmark it - so that I can send a text message. (wink).
The only reason I carry a cell phone(courtesy of my mother-in-law's company plan) is so that all the schools can reach me in case of an emergency. I don't make a lot of calls in the car, because I know my limitations and I don't want to piss anyone else off. It hardly rings anyway, unless my mother is hunting me down ;). But then, I'm not a real "phone person." :)
It's amazing you've held off THIS long. I resisted as long as I could too and I have NO problem with letting calls go to voicemail if I don't want to be interrupted, but it's a whole new world out there...people just expect you to be available ALL THE TIME. It's really hard to get used to.
that was funny!!! I want a job that doesn't require a cell phone. Hmmmmm....maybe we'll crank up the boiling water tonite!
I hate talking on the phone, so think I'll abstain for a while longer.
Cas
Yea, and what's up with all these "ring tones" They make me crazy
I didn't carry a cell phone until a few months ago and only got it because it's a good thing to have when your brake line, muffler or tire goes on your car. Nine times out of ten it is either off, on the kitchen counter or lying forgotten with a battery that has been dead for a few days.
Mine has the "classic ring" (sounds like an old fashioned phone) and I set my husbands to "Copacabana" because nothing impresses the guys on the job site more than a sissy cell phone ring :). Surprise honey!
We're not there, yet, and hopefully a long way off. The worst thing I've seen was a couple in the middle of separating who boarded the bus. It was a long ride to town. During that time they were both on their cell phones, to respective friends, griping about how awful the other person was. I was SO very pleased when the driver stopped the bus and ordered them to turn off the cells, or get off the bus.
I work for a cell phone company and at first when I got my employee phone I was on it all the time. now 3 years later I can not stand the thing and have thought of throwing it out the window of my car several times. My mother calls me more then humanly possible and drives me nuts. My kids are even worse and need to know my wherabouts every sec that I am not home.
I turn it off as soon as I get home and it stays off until I leave for work the next day.
I never wanted one. I hated that hubby's always rang when we were out (usually just when I got a word in edgewise). I got one when I was pregnant and had a toddler and OHGodforbid! What if you're out and something happens? What if..? What if..?? What if..???
Now, I can't stop playing with it. I hate it and I can't leave it at home. Someone free me!
First off: Congrats on not getting a phone for regular use until now!
Now slap yourself!!! Get into the millennium, honey!
In addition to the POWER button, there's the silent or vibrate option -- which can be appealing. *wink*
I'm in telecom and have had an electronic leash for 17 yrs -- not a big deal -- allegedly "have" to be available 24X7. (Initially had pagers, then "bag phone - HA!", then cell phone, trust me -- cell phones are the preferred option ).
You will be fine! After the initial weirdness phase -- you'll find yourself using it more than you'd think you would. THEN, later, there's this secondary enjoyment phase of being able to turn it off -- not having to talk while on the way home, etc. (always use an earbud, BUD!)
Re: Text Messaging? It's not just for the adolescent set. We use it for work all of the time when we can't or don't necessarily want to call someone while they're in a meeting -- but DO have to impart some critical news... (we don't all have blackberrys)...
I taught my 78 yr old mom to text msg -- and she's a maniac. But it did allow her to let us know that they were fine through 3 hurricanes -- when their power and landline phones were off for days...
:)
So, not that I am going to change your mind -- but... keep an open one....
I think they come straight from the Devil herself.
We survived all these years without them, why now?
There are still phone booths all over. It's not necessary to talk in the bank line on your cell phone. And yes, that will be me that pushes past you and makes your life hell.
(they're handy for travelling, I agree with that..but everyday use? please)
:)
I thought it was bad here until I visited Asia. Whatever cell phone woes we have, they're ten times worse over there. Compared to Asia, the U.S. is still like the Wild Wild West.
Guilty as charged. But I am starting a business and my cell phone is vital for that. As far as cutting the land line loose, don't. If you ever have to call 911 (God forbid), they won't be able to trace your call on a cell phone.