Tuesday, November 18, 2008

Cell Phones

I am sure most of you all have cell phones. I had a cell phone but it was one of those trac phones, you know the kind that you buy a card for for so many minutes. Call me cheap or I just didn't have the need for one. I carried the trac phone only for emergencies. I figured that I commute all the time, so perhaps I should have a way to call for help if my car broke down. I am not a big talker, well that is, on the telephone. I do talk allot person to person! My husband used to say how can you possibly think of so much to talk about! He was a quiet and shy guy! With my other program that I directed, my team could handle anything so they rarely had to call me! If I wasn't home they left a message and I would get back to them. They would just give me a heads up on on issue, and they usually knew how to handle things. With this change of jobs mu boss figured that I would probably need to carry a cell phone and perhaps even have it turned on, imagine! So I did it, I am a proud owner a real cell phone, with a bill that comes in the mail! I purchased two other phones for early Christmas gifts for two of my kids who couldn't afford them. I hated not being able to get ahold of them when I needed to! They came for supper on Sunday and I told them Santa came early, they couldn't have been happier! Then they left!! I figured out a ring tone and how to turn the thing on. It has a camera, which I will never figure out! The thing frustrates me already. I haven't even had a call on it yet! I called myself just to make sure I had the volume on! I will need to call the kids over and have Cell Phone 101 classes. I did announce at a meeting today with other directors that I'm moving on up now in the world, with a cell phone! Pathetic or cheap? I don't know, perhaps a little of both.

23 comments:

Winifred said...

I have to say I have a mobile phone too but like you mainly for emergencies. I can't understand why people use them walking around the streets, in shops, on buses and sadly, even though it's illegal, in cars. Just don't understand the attraction.

Give me a PC anyday & I'll usually figure out how to do something on it. Now a phone, that's something else again!

Another thing I never figured out how to use was the the video recorder and was I glad when they disappeared!

Bonnie (BornInaZoo) said...

My name is Bonnie and I am a text messaging addict.

This coming from a person that never wanted a cell, but her boss forced her to get one.

Cathy said...

Hello Marla
Well so far I have resisted the mobile (as we call them)phone revolution.
I have a perfactly good house phone and answering machine and it can't be that important it can't wait.

Unfotunately the family are beginning to think otherwise and I have an inkling Santa wil be visiting with something that has my name on it.

LOL at the video player - there are some things on my camera that are a mystery - it will be worse if they do get me a phone.
Take care
Cathy

Jim said...

We finally got one, I thought we were the last in the country to get one.

Call all your distant friends when your free minutes start. If it is nine oclock you will not be able to make too many free calls to them until the weekend.
I'm thinking your kids are free because of the same company.
We had text messaging disabled.

It isn't illegal to use them while driving in Texas. A few towns make it illegal in their school zones.

Thank you for the input on the picture. Yes, Adi does look sad for some reason especially on the large size you can see her very clearly.
I was trying to get the two dogs, one would leave when the other sat down. She might have had a little tizzy about that even though she didn't tell me. :-)
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Jim said...

I have developed a new set of cell phone rules for use in restaurants. They may be in effect in Nebraska:

NEW REVISED RULES OF CELL PHONE USAGE ETIQUETTE IN RESTAURANTS

1. Lay the phone on the table as soon as you sit down. This prevents so much annoyance to other patrons. Generally you can catch it on the first ring that way instead of fumbling through your pockets or purse to find the machine.
2. Talk no louder than you need. It is the loud cell phone talk that bothers other people. Besides loud talking disturbs others who are trying to use their cell phones.
3. Keep your conversation short.
4. Laugh quietly, not out loud! (LOL)
5. For an extended conversation or for more privacy go outside or to an unoccupied area.
6. Do not make unnecessary calls. A quick check on the kids, grandma, or your dog, and the like, is probably necessary now and then.
7. It is better to call while sitting in the restaurant than driving your car. This goes especially for text messaging (unless you have memorized the key placement and routine--like you did in touch typing).
(c. jimmiehov 2007)

(Not everyone likes these new rules.)
Paste this link to see my original:
http://jimmiehov.blogspot.com/2007/11/its-ok-new-cell-phone-etiquette-in.html
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Paul Nichols said...

We got one, too. But I'm not always sure where it is. Nobody ever calls it cuz we can't remember the number to tell them. We just use it on the road when we drive to Texas.

I'm with Cathy. If it's really important, then they'll call back.

Granny Annie said...

Marla, try not to become a slave to your cell. These phones tell us if we missed a call and who we missed. Yet we rush to find it when it rings as if our lives depended on it. I want to change but, as Bonnie had admitted, I Granny Annie too am a cell phone addict.

Scarlet said...

You're going to love it! I don't use the camera much, but it's nice to know it's there for those memorable moments (not that I don't carry my digital with me everywhere I go!).

Ralph said...

I have to admit I love my cell phone. Quite a few people want me to upgrade to the one with e-mail, etc. Don't need it. It's a phone - I talk on it.

Lucy Stern said...

Yes, I have a cell phone too. I didn't even want one but my husband talked me into it. When I first got it, I would only turn it on when I wanted to call somebody....later my husband said he couldn't get in touch with me and I should turn it on all of the time....Now, I feel naked without it. I can go days without using it, but it is there if the kids try to call or TF trys to get in touch with me. My phone is five years old and it does not have a camera on it....lol....besides I would never figure out how to use it. I am techinically challanged.

Cliff said...

Mine rings seldom. But when it does it's rarely a good thing. I'm glad you have one because of your drive. Especially if we get into one of 'those' winters Nebraska is famous for.
Thanks for all the nice words on the last blog. I left my comment there. Thanks.

Nadine said...

Cell phones do come in handy. I wonder now how I ever got along without one. You'll get the hang of it.

Ramblings of a Villas Girl said...

Hi Marla!  I have a Trac Phone.  Like you I have it for emergencies.  There are times when I do call a friend if I am out and about.  Only four or five people have the number.  When it rings, I look around at other people before I realize that it's mine. lol.  Lisa

Anonymous said...

Ahhhh .... we'll check with you a year from now. You'll probably have podcasts, music, GPS, email, internet and who knows what on your phone. Ya think?

possum said...

My cell phone is an antique - well, for cell phones! It does not flip open or shut let alone take pictures! It lives in the car most of the year where is is almost never turned on. But, the few times we have HAD to use it, it was a god-send!
Also, we do not have a phone in our house in PA... our tenant on the other side of the house has one, but we do not like to use her service. The cell is great for traveling!
Oh, and I don't have voice mail! So don't leave a message - I'll never find it!

bobbie said...

Hello Marla. I have a trac phone too, and I really do keep it just for emergencies. Don't keep it on at all. when the man from the company called to "help" me learn about all of its features, I said "No thanks". I really dislike the things especially when they ring at inappropriate times, or when the owner drives or walks around with it glued to his/her ear, talking loudly.

Jamie Dawn said...

Welcome to the cell phone world!
You can never go back to your old ways.
You are now a cell phone user, and you must remain one for all time.
We don't even have a home phone. We have four cell phones, one for each of us, and that's it.

Happy Thanksgiving!!
Eat well and enjoy your day.
I hope you have a marvelous holiday.

Greg C said...

We just turned out cell phones in. We are free from our cell phone chains. :)

Jim said...

Happy Thanksgiving Marla! I hope you will get lots of invites for dinner and take a couple of them up.
We have friends down the street with two cell phones and no home phone. That wouldn't work at our house, Mrs. Jim would require too many minutes. :-)

LaDawn said...

my dad just got his first cell phone but can't make it work either. I can't figure that out. My son (who is 7) picked up my phone and without any training taught me a few features. We shouldn't be so afraid of new things that it inhibits our ability to use them.

Scarlet said...

Thinking of you today, and wishing you joy and peace.

Janell said...

Hi Marla; I hope you had a nice Thanksgiving. I think I sold a turkey to everyone in Fremont, except you!

I don't have a cell phone, but Randy does and I borrow his once in awhile, but I only use it at gunpoint. I don't like it very much. I hope you figure out the camera. That could be fun.

Edie said...

I just read this Marla. HaHa. I carry a prepaid cell phone from Virgin mobile. I don't believe in wasting money and I carry it mainly for emergency purposes and those times that you wish you could call someone to ask a quick question while your out. I put $20 on my account every 3 months and rarely used more than that.

I think you're smart. :)