“Technology can be our best friend, and technology can also be the biggest party pooper of our lives. It interrupts our own story, interrupts our ability to have a thought or a daydream, to imagine something wonderful, because we’re too busy bridging the walk from the cafeteria back to the office on the cell phone.” — Steven Spielberg
When not looking at my cell phone, I see the amazing details of Mother Nature’s wonders all around me. — Photo by Pat Bean
Before Phones Depended on Air Waves
I’ve lived long enough to remember when phone numbers began with words and were only five digits long. If my memory serves me well, but no excuses if it doesn’t, the first word of my grandmother’s heavy black phone was Wright, which meant that the first number you dialed was a 9.
A quiet pone reflecting the world above and around. May I never be engrossed with a cell phone when I pass it by. — Photo by Pat Bean
I balked at getting a cell phone until my work, which wanted to reach me at all hours of the day and night, finally bought me one and paid for the service. Actually you didn’t usually have to purchase a phone back then. You got a free one when you signed a contract for a year or two of service.
Not too long ago, I watched a Verizon customer come in with a stupid phone that he had for many years, and which had died. The only free phone they would give him was a smart phone, which of course came with a higher monthly service charge. He opted to pay for a dumber version. Then they charged him to download what he had saved on his old phone to his new phone.
My son bought me one of those smart phones when I was traveling around the country in an RV so he could track my movements. But when I settled down here in the Sonoran Desert, I put the smart phone in the closet and reconnected my old cell phone. It texts, but if I want to write a W I have to punch 9 (and so on) as my phone doesn’t have a keyboard.
I chose to go back to my dumb phone because the monthly charge is less and everything smart phones can do, I can do on my laptop. Well except take photos, and I have a good, pocket digital, PowerShot Canon for that. And besides I’m not sure I want my kids tracking my every movement.
My problem is that, more often than not, I forget to take my cell phone with me when I go somewhere. It wouldn’t be a problem unless I needed to call someone, like if my car wouldn’t start. There are no phone books for cell phone numbers, and the only number I have memorized in my head is my own, and sometimes I have to think hard to remember it. All the phone numbers of friends, family, and care providers are saved on my dumb phone.
The upside of my forgetfulness is that I’m not missing the world around me.
Blog pick of the day. Check it out.
Bean Pat: Before I Forget http://tinyurl.com/obk8j96 Dishpans and Buckets – and Joy – another trip down memory lane.
Pat Bean's blog 
Your experience with cell phone parallels mine. I won’t upgrade from my dumb phone because of the cost. And I vex my friends because I won’t keep it turned on to receive their texts.
Phones don’t let you look into someone’s eyes, and I like doing that. Thanks for commenting Pelican.
Thanks so much for the “Bean’s Pat” —feels good!
I have the same problem with my cell phone.
I either forget it, lose it somewhere at the bottom of my purse….OR….I forget to charge the battery and it simply won’t turn on.
My smart phone is smarter than me and I am not sure that I like that very much. I remember when phones were attached to the wall with cords, and you couldn’t walk away with them in your hand and lose them somewhere else in the house!!
You’re welcome Mary. I often have to have someone call me so I can find my cell phone.
Hi Pat,
My first cell phone was when I lived in Germany still. I really didn’t use it much. It was mostly as a kind of emergency phone when I was not at home. I felt safer especially on my bike rides. That phone was completely free, btw.I only paid for the contract. Actually, for my calls only. That was a ridiculously cheap option. I usually had it off and switched it on only when needed.
Here in the US I continued that habit, with a pay-as-you-go contract. Again, it was for safety reasons mostly, on my bike rides.
I wasn’t into smartphones at all until lately, when I got a Samsung Galaxy Note 4, because that can function as a small tablet computer, too. And that’s what I use it for mostly. I text only rarely. I do use it instead of our landline, though. But I’m not often on the phone anyway.
As to the safety aspect when bicycling: on Friday I was really happy that I could call my wife and ask her to pick me up when, about 10 miles from home still, I realized I had taken on too long a ride.
I still am not a cellphone person as I don’t like the intrusion into my life when it rings or when – rarely – I get a text message.
Have a great Sunday,
Pit
Thanks for keeping up with my blog Pit. I enjoy your comments.
You’re welcome. 🙂
I have a smart phone bought when teaching but now I have no daily class i will be getting out from under the higher payment. have found I can transfer ti to walmarts cheaper straight talk service. might do that first.