I've never had a smart phone, and only have a flip phone for away-from-home emergencies. I use it so rarely that I carry the owner's manual with me, as I forget how it works. When folks learn that I don't have a smart phone, most look at me as though I'm an alien. I guess maybe I am.
At this very moment, 8:30-ish Saturday morning, with severe rainstorms and possible tornado-force winds headed our way in east Tennessee, my wife is preparing to go over to her sister's place (whom she spent some time with last night but accidentally left her phone there) and pick up said phone.
I suggested that she simply abandon the phone until the next day, after the storms have passed, but she gave me "that look" that says, "Are you insane?" Well, maybe I am, I've never been fully assured that I am meant to live in this 21st Century digital world, being a man of the 90's.... the 1890s in my musical tastes and social leanings.
Anyway, maybe I'll do the chivalrous thing and drive over there for her to keep her from driving through a potential storm of Helene proportions. Hmmm, maybe I *AM* insane.
I read a sign at a church cemetery in Tenn. When you bury your loved one please please remove the extra dirt or we will do it for you and send you the bill!
Heh... well, I guess that sounds about right. Although in truth, I live among some of the most courteous, helpful people I have ever known, and I've traveled quite a bit.
I've never had a smart phone and don't want one. Phones are for making and taking calls. The rest of the time is mine to spend as I choose, and it's never like coming home to find 41 people in my kitchen. My books and I are comfortable in waiting rooms, and it's nice to chat when standing in lines. Nobody thinks I'm weird because what else would you expect from an 81-year-old? Naturally, my sons think I'm a troglodyte; but that's another story.
Just as a Whole lot of others, of your readers, especially since you started this recovery, I am one of those "Flip Phone" owners who has never owned nor never will own a so-called Smartphone! I have numerous friends and musician associates (not all) who feel the same way. At least two of them Do Not Text, one doesn't even read Texts, and both just call you back, sometime. As also a few others, my 1st Cell Phone was a Bag Phone, that I could take up on a roof or anywhere else on my jobsites, as a construction business owner.
I don't have Radio on my phone, although, if I want to Pay extra, I could connect to the internet for Talk Radio. I fully relate to the too small screen and the hunt & multiple peck Texting necessity, but my son Texts every workday morning, the reason I learned to Text in 2015. And, especially this morning, I'll be sending out a multiple person Church Text, for which I prefer to Edit previous Texts & Forward them, to save time! It's a Royal Pain!
Oh, and IF you can't find it yourself, find some "kid" who can actually change your name from Rene to what ever your wish is! It really isn't that difficult. 👍
Hmmmmm. I have a smart phone but I’m dumb about using it. You won’t find me staring at it because the print is too small. Now, my iPad is a different story altogether…
I remember 6 party phones with a 4 digit number. My first cell phone was a bag phone with a strap over my shoulder, like a purse. The 6 inch antenna (rubber ducky) would unscrew to screw in the antenna on the roof of my truck. In Tenn. there was a spot with signal reception, that you could pull off, on the side of the mountain road. I love my flip phone.
Yeah, we had "party lines" in my childhood days, too, and our home phone had three numbers. I still remember them: 299. When you picked up the receiver, the operator would say, "Number, please."
Proud of you, Ms. Birdfield. Hang in there. The world around you is an amazing place. Notice it and the people it brings you. I’ve kept my phone, but given up all “breaking news.” I realized it was breaking me. And it was often wrong or misleading. So far, so good!
I keep telling people: you can ignore a phone, no matter what kind it is! Just walk out of the room -- and it will go to sleep. LOL In my experience, "Breaking News" happened 2 days ago, and if it's the end of the world, we'll already know about it.
Smartphones are the new cigarettes. When I was in university, I felt like Sean feels when standing in line at the supermarket. Back in those days, if you went outside during breaks to catch some fresh air and didn’t smoke while doing so, you were looked upon as a ne’er do well.
I remember an older man, in his 90s & who lived well past 100, who came outside at a Basketball halftime to smoke. This was after many had quit smoking. He looked around at all the non-smoking guys, and asked, "Doesn't anyone smoke anymore?"
I've never had a smart phone, and only have a flip phone for away-from-home emergencies. I use it so rarely that I carry the owner's manual with me, as I forget how it works. When folks learn that I don't have a smart phone, most look at me as though I'm an alien. I guess maybe I am.
Ditto!
What about a person carrying a book - that's what I do and I get a lot of weird looks!
See my comment lol
It's not a sustainable lifestyle Rene. Just cave. You have my permission. You're welcome.
At this very moment, 8:30-ish Saturday morning, with severe rainstorms and possible tornado-force winds headed our way in east Tennessee, my wife is preparing to go over to her sister's place (whom she spent some time with last night but accidentally left her phone there) and pick up said phone.
I suggested that she simply abandon the phone until the next day, after the storms have passed, but she gave me "that look" that says, "Are you insane?" Well, maybe I am, I've never been fully assured that I am meant to live in this 21st Century digital world, being a man of the 90's.... the 1890s in my musical tastes and social leanings.
Anyway, maybe I'll do the chivalrous thing and drive over there for her to keep her from driving through a potential storm of Helene proportions. Hmmm, maybe I *AM* insane.
Your wife married a good man, Bill. The 19th and 20th are my centuries, too. Hang in there, ol' timer.
I read a sign at a church cemetery in Tenn. When you bury your loved one please please remove the extra dirt or we will do it for you and send you the bill!
Heh... well, I guess that sounds about right. Although in truth, I live among some of the most courteous, helpful people I have ever known, and I've traveled quite a bit.
In Tenn. they will never, EVER, honk the horn. i love the sign on Rt. 40 going into the tunnel to Charlottesville. BURN YOUR LIGHTS. I loved Tenn.
Yes. A phone is a tool, not life. Congrats on having the guts to make this transition.
I've never had a smart phone and don't want one. Phones are for making and taking calls. The rest of the time is mine to spend as I choose, and it's never like coming home to find 41 people in my kitchen. My books and I are comfortable in waiting rooms, and it's nice to chat when standing in lines. Nobody thinks I'm weird because what else would you expect from an 81-year-old? Naturally, my sons think I'm a troglodyte; but that's another story.
Just as a Whole lot of others, of your readers, especially since you started this recovery, I am one of those "Flip Phone" owners who has never owned nor never will own a so-called Smartphone! I have numerous friends and musician associates (not all) who feel the same way. At least two of them Do Not Text, one doesn't even read Texts, and both just call you back, sometime. As also a few others, my 1st Cell Phone was a Bag Phone, that I could take up on a roof or anywhere else on my jobsites, as a construction business owner.
I don't have Radio on my phone, although, if I want to Pay extra, I could connect to the internet for Talk Radio. I fully relate to the too small screen and the hunt & multiple peck Texting necessity, but my son Texts every workday morning, the reason I learned to Text in 2015. And, especially this morning, I'll be sending out a multiple person Church Text, for which I prefer to Edit previous Texts & Forward them, to save time! It's a Royal Pain!
Oh, and IF you can't find it yourself, find some "kid" who can actually change your name from Rene to what ever your wish is! It really isn't that difficult. 👍
Hmmmmm. I have a smart phone but I’m dumb about using it. You won’t find me staring at it because the print is too small. Now, my iPad is a different story altogether…
I remember 6 party phones with a 4 digit number. My first cell phone was a bag phone with a strap over my shoulder, like a purse. The 6 inch antenna (rubber ducky) would unscrew to screw in the antenna on the roof of my truck. In Tenn. there was a spot with signal reception, that you could pull off, on the side of the mountain road. I love my flip phone.
Yeah, we had "party lines" in my childhood days, too, and our home phone had three numbers. I still remember them: 299. When you picked up the receiver, the operator would say, "Number, please."
Proud of you, Ms. Birdfield. Hang in there. The world around you is an amazing place. Notice it and the people it brings you. I’ve kept my phone, but given up all “breaking news.” I realized it was breaking me. And it was often wrong or misleading. So far, so good!
I keep telling people: you can ignore a phone, no matter what kind it is! Just walk out of the room -- and it will go to sleep. LOL In my experience, "Breaking News" happened 2 days ago, and if it's the end of the world, we'll already know about it.
Dear Rene, enjoyed reading your story about your flip phone on my smartphone. Thank you!
🤣🤣🫣🍷😵
At least you know who you are...
Great words: " I want to use a smartphone, not be used by my smartphone." Words to remember!
This made me laugh out loud so many times! We all need to laugh more, so thank you for starting my day off on the right foot!
Smartphones are the new cigarettes. When I was in university, I felt like Sean feels when standing in line at the supermarket. Back in those days, if you went outside during breaks to catch some fresh air and didn’t smoke while doing so, you were looked upon as a ne’er do well.
I remember an older man, in his 90s & who lived well past 100, who came outside at a Basketball halftime to smoke. This was after many had quit smoking. He looked around at all the non-smoking guys, and asked, "Doesn't anyone smoke anymore?"
Smoking finally did him in!
Things change quickly!
My dear friend you gave me a good chuckle 🤭 and keep these stories coming Rene 🤭🤭🤭