Earl and I have been talking about my cell phone for the past couple of weeks. It hasn’t been the primary focus of all our conversations or anything like that, but the contract with Cingular is finally coming to an end in a month or two (after a seemingly eternity of the ‘basic’ plan that costs more than our high speed internet connection) and we’re trying to decide if I should continue to have a cell phone or not.
I’m not a big talking on the phone type of person, even though I work for a telephone company. Isn’t it ironic, don’t you think? I’d rather gab over e-mail or instant messenger than talk on the telephone. I’ve always been that way. I remember my sister urging me to call a school friend during summer break between 4th and 5th grades and I didn’t know where to start or end the conversation so I think I just hung up after asking for the boy and then saying hello. I had broken out in a sweat and everything. Nevertheless, he stayed my friend all the way up through graduation.
I’ve never been a fan of cell phone use in public. I believe that if you’re having a phone conversation, you should be doing it in private. I’ve mentioned before that I’ve tripped people up that were not paying attention to anything except their phone conversation while they’re walking through the mall. I’ve stood in the middle of Miller Court at the New York State Fair and have loudly proclaimed, “Oh my GOD I’m at the State Fair and I must make a cell phone call RIGHT NOW!” just to irk those yakking on their phones around me. I’ve held my ground and not yielded to drivers trying to change lanes while talking on the phone, forcing them down an exit ramp.
You get my drift.
I had been waffling on the idea of going cell phoneless because of the worry of how would I get in touch with Earl in the event of an emergency. But then I think that millions of people survived for the past couple of milleniums without cell phones and I probably can as well. Plus, I’ve been inspired by fellow blogger Jimbo who has recently shunned his cell phone and he hasn’t lost any geek points for doing so.
Next time I see someone walking around with one of those flashing headset things in their ear (because they are very important you know), I now won’t feel a bit of remorse for slapping them for looking like a fool.
