Cell Phones Be Gone

Ok, this blog entry is going to probably be a real observation of my age. I grew up with a rotary phone and phones that had cords.Cell phones weren't yet invented- or at least available to the general public. (Who knows what technological capabilities the Russian, Chinese and American governments had in the 80s.) I will try not to reflect on how much simpler and truly enriching times were before  cell phones. It is hard though because I feel those were the times when people were more polite.

First, I will begin with my disdain for cell phones. I remember in the 90s when everyone was getting them. It was a sort of status. I could care less about material status. I find that those who care about material status usually lack a personality or character I would ever like for affiliation. Don't get me wrong, I am a strong proponent for capitalism. (Work hard, do good, reap the benefits.)
I was reluctant to buy one. The thought of having to answer a phone call at any place or time was annoying to me. See, with a cell phone you can't hide or truly avoid calls without being rude. Also call waiting was an invention in the 80s that I always felt kind of disruptive. Now cell phones automatically had call waiting. So if you are having a conversation on a cell phone and someone else keeps calling you, you kept getting this irritating interference- rude! Everyone I worked with urged me to get a cell phone (at the time I lived alone so I did)- so I found one I could get with a tiger case so I indulged. UGH I would go out with it in my purse (which became a little heavier and bigger to hold it) and no matter where I would be or what I was doing it would ring. See, before cell phones people had phone etiquette. There were certain times in the day/night when people respected others' privacy and not call- morning before 10am, during work hours, dinner time and never after 10pm. Now, all etiquette seemed to vanish. With the loss of etiquette, I found my eyes rolling more and more when I would glance at the phone. I would purposefully leave it upstairs when I would be downstairs and vice versa. When you find yourself holding a phone in any other place but the comfort of your kitchen, living room or bedroom (I loved my clock radio phone in my bedroom as a teen.) you are not really experiencing the moment or place you are occupying. The cell phone steals those moments from you. It traps you into thinking it's so important. It rarely is.. time and experience usually if not always trump a phone call.

Now, phones can track where you are located. I know this may be life saving in certain circumstances. However, in this fear based society those circumstances rarely truly happen (though if you are a news watcher/believer you think it's a common occurrence). I cherish my privacy and don't really want people to know where I am at all times. It is none of their business. I deserve the right to be lost in my own world at times- as we all do.
I know people that never leave their house without their cell phone. I have a few times forgot mine and at first got nervous with the thought of not having it. But then logic kicks in and I get a weird sense of freedom arise in me.
I also know people that literally pull it out when in social settings. They don't pull it out to answer a call. They simply pull it out of their bag to place on the table. Such behavior is disturbing to me. When I go out and I see strangers doing this all I can think is- ugh -you are addicted, narcissistic, or very insecure. But then I try to rationalize their poor behavior- maybe they have an infant at home with a young babysitter. This response in my head usually works if they look less than 30 years old.

The worst cell phone users are the ones who walk around with ear buds talking into it. Why do you think I or anyone near you wants to hear your voice in a conversation with an invisible person? You are an inconsiderate idiot. You look/sound like a deranged person talking to yourself in public. Another question for this idiot, why should I have to be subjected to this poor behavior in a social place? Would you like it if I was doing this to you? Here's a tip, go somewhere more private- your parked car, a park bench or wait even better, how about home to have your phone call, not at a place you share with others. The best response is to ask the caller if you can call them back because you are in public and don't want to be rude to others in ear shot. I do this often to my children.
Cell phones have created a society of self indulgent followers.
I bet most people in their twenties can't read a map. They blindly follow GPS. (I wonder if there is ever a war/natural disaster and cell towers are hit, how lost these people would become. If there was an attack on our soil, the communication towers would be a target. If you prevent communication- chaos may ensue.)
Another thing I find very strange is that even less financially capable people have cell phones. Some get government (really it's working/tax paying Americans that pay the government to pay these people) subsidizing and still have cell phones. If you can't afford to pay your own food and shelter bills why do you have a cell phone? A cell phone is not a necessity unless your employment requires you to have one (in that case they should pay for it). A cell phone is a luxury like cable tv. (Don't get me started on cable tv. I refuse to get cable tv unless they stop showing commercials. I don't believe in the cable companies receiving money from advertisers AND cable subscribers. It's double dipping. You won't have me as one of your mules.)
As a landlord, I have witnessed a tenant pay their rent late but still using a cell phone. If you are struggling with your rent, ditch the phone. A place to live is far more important than a cell phone. Get your priorities in order. I have little to no tolerance for such bad decisions when it comes to prioritizing. Why should a landlord pay your water bill or heat bill late because you want to hold a cell phone and not pay your rent on time? Your irresponsibility has a ripple effect on others.
Don't even get me started about the cell phones and their photo capability. Going to the beach used to be a carefree excursion. Now, you have to look about to see if some psycho pervert is snapping your picture in a bikini or worse, taking pics of your teen daughters. The worst has to be the deranged younger females taking pictures of themselves in the gym locker room. WTF? Are you that disgusting as a human being that you would be snapping pics in a ladies locker room? I have witnessed this first hand. I no longer belong to that gym. (BTW, the only person that cares to see your body in a gym locker room is a pervert. I suppose your self esteem is that low that you want to attract that sort of low character.)
Well, I am tired of this rant. I wish that cell phones be gone. I wish we could go back to where there are just people doing what they want and how they want without the intrusion of the cell phone. I want my freedom back.

My Dearest Marshmallow (AKA Yetta),

It is with a heavy heart, swollen eyes, tear soaked cheeks, and runny nose I write this letter to you. As you can probably sense by my physical description I am an emotional mess. I was just told that you passed away this morning. I literally had to sit down immediately. I am grief stricken to know I will never get to say good bye to you, tell you how much I really do love you and tell you how much you taught me. You made me a better person. Yes, I guess I am being selfish but there is also some guilt because I wasn’t there by your side when you took your last breath. However, due to your sometimes conflicting ways, you may not have wanted me there. Though, you and I both know I have witnessed far too many “last breaths” and now in this stage in my life I find it unbearable anymore. So, I have a hunch you purposely waited for a day you know I would not be there. Thank you for being so courteous and courageous. 

I just wanted to share with you in this letter some of the things I may have failed to communicate to you when you were alive. You know I always had strong feelings for you; but, I struggle sometimes to express them effectively. I still remember catching you as a little wild kitten behind that pizza joint with 35 other mates from your feral colony when I was in my third trimester of pregnancy with Pheodora. I wanted to keep you and 6 of your littermates including your feral mother. However, my husband would not allow me to keep you all. I fought and worked hard to keep 5 of you. Unfortunately, you and your sister Schitzy cat were the last survivors from that colony. So please know despite your feral ways in the first ten years of your life, I always wanted you. I wanted to take care you. I enjoyed keeping you out of harms way. I wanted to make your life easier by providing you shelter, food and water - so you would never be without. You deserved it. 

You were always respectful to our other older cats and noisy dogs. I loved your curiosity for my daughters too. You always liked hiding out on my enclosed bedroom porch and perching on the cat trees I got for you and your siblings. When my babies would fuss in the room, you always stood watch of them from a safe distance. Your curiosity gave me hope that one day I could eventually pet you. 

I still remember your guard slowly fading as years would past. As I would feed you wet food, I could get to pet your back. You would pop your head up startled and run away. Eventually running back to the bowl of wet food so you wouldn’t miss a morsel, I would then pet you again. Then one day, you came to me as I sat at my vanity and allowed me to pet your back and tail. That was the start of our physical show of affection for each other. It was on your terms (and I was fine with that), I could pet you as long as I was sitting or laying on my bed. Soon, you came to behave like a normal house cat, looking for those strokes of affection soon leaning into being kissed on the head. 

We eventually shared my bed, both for slumber and cuddles. You were such a big beautiful long hair cat. Your fur was soft. It was funny how you would slobber like a dog when we would pet you too much. The funny part was when you would force your head against my lips making me kiss you and slobbering the whole time. You were such a sweet pleasure to be around. I will miss your kisses.

I won’t keep you much longer from your time in kitty heaven. I am sure you have a lot of catch up with your old friends.

I will end this letter with just a couple lessons you taught me and I thank you for making me a better person. First lesson is patience and tenacity - Never to give up when your gut is telling you it will work out. Just have patience. I am so glad I did with you. We shared some lovely heart warming moments despite it taking over ten years. You made my bed warm and inviting. Your kisses mad me feel special. The second lesson is - it’s ok if things aren’t always the way you want them to be. Sometimes it’s best to accept things for the way they are and try daily to make them better. Live in the moment. Enjoy the moment. Be thankful for those moments we get to share. Be thankful to have an open heart that is ever evolving to invite more love in. Even if you know it may not be long, it’s those moments that hold a special place in our hearts and minds that make a lasting impact. 

You will always be my beloved pretty furry girl. I hope I get to see you again in Heaven in one day. But for now, enjoy your time. Thank you for being you and opening your heart to me. I love you.

Love, 

Paulette