Posted on 01/18/2005 7:37:09 AM PST by the_devils_advocate_666
I give you a story of sheer terror. I never thought it would happen to me. And when it did, it was so much worse than I could imagine it ever would be.
In my traveling frenzy this holiday, while I busied myself with making sure that U.S. Airways didn't lose my luggage for the third time in 12 days, I forgot my cell phone in my hometown of Pittsburgh.
That's right. I was without my little Verizon lifeline for four straight, solid days.
I didn't even make it halfway to Salt Lake Citybefore I felt like I needed a respirator.
Being without my cell phone felt like being without a vital organ. You may as well have removed my lungs. Within hours, I felt like I needed to be hospitalized. And if not hospitalized, seriously sedated until the waves of communication were flowing again.
I was on Walden Pond, for Pete's sake. Devastating.
I embarrassingly replayed a conversation I had with my uncle that weekend, a rookie to the cell phone world. You know, one of those people who only turn their phones on when they need to make a call. One of those people who ignore the two-way avenue that cell phones were meant to be.
"Make it an extension of your body," I told him, smugly. "Never be without it. Never turn it off." I was being punished for my idol worship of the pocket pal that kept me constantly connected.
The powers that be were out to teach me a lesson. My mom thought I'd learn somethi ng about how I didn't really need it as much as I thought I did.
She was sure I'd come out of this experience with the same air as someone coming out of rehab: with a new, fresh outlook on life and completely free of my digital drug of choice. Just the polar opposite actually. I didn't know how completely dependent I was on my phone until it wasn't buzzing in my pocket anymore.
I tell you I even heard my ring tone in my dreams. I was in a state of complete desperation.
When I got it back, it was like being resurrected. I had come back from the dead. I was a living, breathing, communicating person again. I think I even slept with it under my pillow the first night I had it back.
And of course, my ego was fed with 19 voicemail messages and 27 texts.
And so I say to those of you still without cell phones: You are a species I do not understand. We should study you in science class. Like creatures living without blood pumping through their veins. How do you do it? You boggle me.
May I ask what kind of company it is that needs to ban cell phones? For guests too?
We are rapidly reaching the point where "high status" will equate to not having a cell phone. Money used to buy access now it buys distance and silence in a crowded world.
As an IT guy who used to carry two pagers and a nextel phone, I am happy without a cell. I also used to work in a call center answering help desk calls and I got sick of answer the phone. Now, I just let the answering machine get it.
Birds of a feather...
I agree!
I have an emergency only, pay as you go phone.
I think I have build up a zillion dollars in minutes because it has to be recharged every 45 days. The minutes carry over.
I think not sir. Not only do I not have a cell phone, I refuse to take phone calls at work (outgoing message has my e mail address) and am trying to convince the wife that we don't need a phone in the house (there's a pay phone half way down the block).
God, how I hate telephones! A vulgar intrusion into my life.
Owl_Eagle
"You know, I'm going to start thanking
the woman who cleans the restroom in
the building I work in. I'm going to start
thinking of her as a human being"
If I ever get a cell phone it will most likely be off most of the time. I can check my voicemail anytime. However the two way would be nice for contact between my wife and I.
My computer was disconnected for three whole weeks. I thought I was going to die.
All I can say is you might want to give a try to not wearing it. I own one watch, my grandfather's, that I wear only on special occassions not so much as a timepiece, but more as jewelry.
But other than that, I just don't wear it. It's great, and I just get there when I get there. No running around wondering what time it is or whether I'm late or any of that crap.
I could tell you, but...etc. ;-)
We do bioanalytical testing for pharmaceutical companies. Much of the info is confidential (as per the companies' wishes) so no outside electronic devices are allowed...no cell phones, bepers, palm pilots,. etc. Not even the company Prez can bring one in. All guests are asked to leave personal devices outside or at the front desk.
No cell phone here.
bepers = beepers.
Very very sad.
We finally broke down and got a cell phone... have had them before and gotten rid of them.. not worth the $$.
This one is prepaid and the only reason we got it was for business related issues when we are not at home. It is used very rarely, and kept as an emergency on trips.
However in terms of day to day life... it has no impact, and I like it that way. If it wasn't for the occassional need business wise I'd get rid of this one too.
I absolutely hate phones, and more so cell phones.... people seem to think if a cell phone chirps it gives them the absolute right to behave ignorantly to those around them... I've even had employees interrupt me telling them what to do to take cell phone calls.... needless to say they aren't my employees anymore.
Oh, I don't know. I relate. I just got one two years ago and I have a plan with few minutes. Only my family has the number because I really dislike talking on the phone. But I want my family to contact me if they need me. I am much more at ease if I know I can be contacted if they need me. I never go home without it. But I would never want to talk with anyone else on it and I don't have conversations while in the car.
"bepers = beepers"
No, no! It's "beebers." Try again.
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