I DON'T HAVE A CELLPHONE                            ALLEN DOES



There
are few things in life I HATE--okay one is oyster plant--and I have
only HATED 2 people in my lifetime (but passing time has turned that
hate into indifference) BUT I HATE PHONES OF ALL KINDS!
For 10 years (in the 70s) I had a job and owned a business where I was on the phone anytime I was in the office.
For
a period of time in the 80s and 90s I had a phobia towards phones and
wanting to fight it I seeked help. It seems the main cause of the phobia
was that I was so involved in AIDS as a 'buddy' and many of my friends
had AIDS. I began to fear the phone because 98% of the time it was a
call to announce another buddy,another friend dying. Also, the first
person who gave me unconditional love died and I heard it by phone. (I
get more into it in my 7 Decades series about the 1990s.)

I
overcame my fear of the phone but I still spend as little time as
possible on them--my friends know that if they call to tell me what they
want and get off the phone. :o) I definitely have a problem with long
distance calls--though I am a quick thinker and talker I always find
that I didn't say what I wanted to until after the call is over--E-mail
has been a life saver for me.
And cellphones???
They should only be used for 911 calls 1) Does a 8-12 year old really
need one? To call friends? During school hours? Yes, once again, for
emergencies! I can see them but come on--does mom really know where/who
he/she is calling? What he/she is doing? 2) And don't get me started on
cellphones in movies and the theatre--usually coming at a definite
moment during the story, not to forget the 'screen' annoying everyone
besides and behind them. (In the 'old days' a doctor or emergency
personal would leave their pager number with the usher or ticket taker)
3) Do I really need to hear, "Do you want pasta or rice for dinner
tonight?" in the grocery store? 4) Is it necessary for me to hear a
person at a table next to me in a restaurant tell someone what they have
ordered or are eating? 5) What is so important that you have to drive
and talk on the phone at the same time. 6) And how a necessary are so
many other occasions people are on the phone? 7) Why do peopletalk so
loud on a cellphone, almost yell? Is everyone on the other end deaf?

I
wish all people using cell phones would ask themselves if they would
have searched down a coin operated phone to make the call they are
making.
And, yes, cellphones kill--check out the
driving accidents causes--they are slowly approaching drunk driving
statistics. At least, turn off the ring and put it on vibrate in public
places and save us from those silly ring tones!!
Oh I know--you need it for your job--sure, and what did people do regarding their jobs 10 years ago?

Okay, I am ready to hear all the nonsensical, non-emergency, arguments you will give as to why a cell phone is a must.
                                                    END OF RANT :o)