November 30, 2012
Dear Everyone:
A few weeks ago, I attended a meeting in another building at the
beginning of the day.
Because of the timing, I went directly to the meeting with all of the
“stuff” that usually accompanies me to and from home and office.
This includes my
cell phone.
One of the things I use my cell phone for the most is the Calendar and
“Reminders” (and making phone calls, of course.)
Most of the reminders have to do with medications that need to be
taken at certain times.
It was a long meeting. At
one point, I left the room to visit the Rest Room.
While I was gone, my cell phone tried to “remind” me of
something, setting off a series of chirps, “bells” and whistles.
One of the people in the
conference room took it upon herself to “shut it up”.
During the course of which, she shut it off.
And that’s when the Bluetooth earpiece stopped working.
Could have been, she pressed a series of “buttons” that shut the
Bluetooth connection down.
Or it could just be time to get a new cell phone.
The day after
Thanksgiving, when I tried to call “Jeannie”, to let her
know I was on my way to her place, the cell phone suddenly decided that
it could only make “Emergency” calls.
Could have been, all the “circuits” were busy (on a Friday?
When most people aren’t even working?)
Or it could just be time to get a new cell phone.
So how long have I had that cell phone?
Let me see. About two
years ago, while I was still employed, someone at the Company suddenly
realized that literally hundreds of “BlackBerries” (and their various
cousins) in the hands of employees meant that a great deal of Company
Information was floating out there in The World where it could fall into
the “wrong hands”. There was
a general “recall” of Company-supplied cell phones.
And I had to buy a cell phone of my own.
Because I was still employed at the time, I got “a deal” on a new
cell phone at a “discount” price through the Company.
I’ve had that cell phone ever since.
At first, I only used it to make phone calls.
Frequently to myself.
I’d be on my way to the office and see something that would remind me of
something I needed to do when I got into work.
So I’d call my office phone and leave a message to do
thus-and-such. Or I’d call
myself at home to remember to put something on the Shopping List.
After a while, I discovered the “Task Manager” on my cell phone.
It let me make a note and add a “reminder” for a certain date and
time. Which is how it “went
off” during the meeting, resulting in the broken Bluetooth connection.
Time to get a new cell phone.
The “officially unofficial” typical life span for a cell phone is “about
two years.” This is for two
basic reasons: 1) In two
years, all the features have changed anyway.
2) The typical contract is for two years; this means you agree to
pay the phone company (Service Provider) every month for two years,
whether you actually use the cell phone or not.
Also, my basic philosophy is:
Replace it before it breaks, usually at the worst possible time,
thus creating an Emergency.
Like having your refrigerator die on Easter Sunday.
Or the oven stop working the day of a sit-down dinner for two
dozen.
I was off work all last week, so I figured it would be a good time to
look into buying a new cell phone.
But what with one thing and another, I didn’t get around to it
until the Saturday after Thanksgiving.
That’s right: The
first Saturday of the Christmas Shopping Season.
Nevertheless, I braved the crowds and made my way into the store that
was run by the Service Provider that I was currently using.
40 minutes later, I came out with a new cell phone (and a “new”
contract, which basically was an extension of the current contract.)
Also, a new Bluetooth connection device.
The new cell phone is much larger than the previous one, although it
weighs about the same. It
has LOTS of features, most of which I will never use.
It utilizes a touch screen, which I’m getting used to.
(The old cell phone had a “real” keyboard, with tiny keys that
you used your fingernail to press.)
“Tap” a “Tile” and the cell phone will tell me exactly what the
weather is in my Zip Code.
Or I could just look out the “real” window.
I’ve already taken numerous
photographs of my knee, the palm of my hand and the inside of my purse,
all inadvertently.
It does have one Feature that I really like.
It’s called “OneNote”.
It is similar to the “OneNote” that came with my work computer
and my home computer. I
don’t use it much at work, or at home; but on my phone, I took to it
like a duck to water.
It basically lets me make a note to myself that I can consult later.
Like, “When was the last time I took some of that medication?”
Answer: At 10:00 this
morning. So don’t take any
more until after 2:00.
I can even make notes to remind me to put something on the Shopping
List. (It even has a “Sample
Shopping List”; but I got rid of that as soon as I figured out how to
delete things.) So I can
make a note that reads:
“csndy fo” This, of course,
means “Candy for the Office.”
Still learning how to get around “Fat Finger Syndrome”.
(And yes, I’m still stocking a “Goody Basket” at work, just like
before. It’s very popular.)
This weekend, I’m planning to “download” some spreadsheets from my home
computer to the phone. Then,
when “Jeannie” asks, “What was the last movie we saw?” I won’t have to
wait until I get home to find the answer.
Love, as always,
Pete
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