Phoning Up

I HAVE TWO CELL PHONES, which is truly remarkable, since its me. Its almost surprising that I even have one, let alone two. Throughout the nineteen nineties I was mildly amused and annoyed watching people driving while talking on a cell phone, a big, lumbering cell phone which provided unreliable service, frequently fading out when in the wrong neighborhood. I became convinced at the time, and remain so to this day, that people deliberately made a point of talking ont their cell phones while driving in order to be seen talking on a cell phone while driving, which in those days was a sign of wealth and prestige. Gradually, painfully slowly, common sense and the law caugt up with this all too human cultural behavioral trend, and nowadays we seem to see drivers talking on the phone far less often, unless they're using blue tooth with no phone to the head. Most folks are nowadays afraid of getting busted for talking, texting, while driving. I got my first fliip up cell phone in 2005, but as I recall, I never made any special effort to use it while driving for ego and reputation. In 2007 when the first smart phone came out I really didn't fully comprehend the fuss. In fact I sort of decided not to make any attempt to get one, that it was too expenxive, and anyway, I really didn't need to walk around with the internet in my back pocket. Also, texting did not appeal to me, and never has. In fact, I learned how to send and receive text messags just the other day, when I realized that my flip up cell phone, which I have had for several months, does indeed include that service. I got my first smart phone just the other day, a free phone for seniors from an offer on the internet. I sure as hell wouldn't pay for it. Now I have my little Jitterbug flip up, and an Android smart phone with all the bells and whistles. And yet, I seldom use a phone. Of all people to have two cell phones, I would have thought that I would be among the very last. But now, here I am, a person who seldom receives or makes phone calls, up to my ears in cellular telephone service. somehow, I'll muddle through. At least now I feel morelike a normal Anerican, although I have already decided to never take the smart phoen out of the house, but only the flip up phone. I don't want to risk losing the expensive one, and besides, I refuse to become one of those people, the majority of Amricans, who spends all day walking around or sitting around with a damned smart phone glued to their faces, staring at it for hours....