cell phones

I used to hate cell phones. In fact, i was quite the reverse-cell-phone snob. I wouldn't date a man who answered a cell phone call in public.

Then i moved to a small stable country in Africa where the land lines were not so stable. In fact, they were downright unavailable. Living alone, as a foreigner and a foreign woman at that, i kind of wanted a way to get in touch with people. The phones were cheap. The phone cards were cheap too--no contracts, no plans--and they lasted a long time since i hardly used the phone. But i had it. I got used to it. It went with me wherever i went.

One day, chatting *on the phone* with my mother as i was preparing to return to the US, she asked me if i was going to get a cell phone when i got back. Was i going to miss having a phone? Nah, i shrugged. Who needs it? We have a land line. It works. We have an answering machine, and it works. What would i need a cell phone for?

But i have one. My little brother gave it to me when he met me in Europe for a low-budget tour of Paris. I was going to be in England on my own for a few days, and he thought i should have a phone, being the protective not-so-little-anymore brother that he is. Besides, he added, it will be useful when you're home to have a number that you can give to friends and resumes without having to give out Mom and Dad's number, and when you move out, you won't have to change numbers.

He made sense. And i wasn't going to reject a gift out of reverse-snobbery. I was appreciative. It was a nice and thoughtful gesture, despite causing a mini-lifestyle change from what i had intended for myself.

Now i'm grateful for it. Tonight i got to talk to a good friend who lives in Texas. For free. (And making good use of the time i was stuck commuting in first gear because traffic was so horrid.) I can talk to a good friend in Chicago--for free. Email notwithstanding, those friendships wouldn't last as long if we couldn't talk for a few hours every once in a while without cringing at the phone bill.

Thanks, bro.