The addictive phone

I was convinced of it while I was in McDonald's yesterday afternoon.

The place was noisy with two lines of people, waiting their turns at the counter.

Children were laughing and running around.

But what I noticed was the number of customers who had cellular phones glued to their ears.

Well, not glued, but pressed against an ear.

I don't see how they could talk on a phone with the din of people placing orders, receiving orders.

People at the drive in windows were using cellular phones while waiting for their orders.

It's amazing to me how those cell phones have become so important. Any and everybody seems to own one.

Men carry them attached to their belts like trophies while women tuck them in a pocket or purse.

I have a cell phone but I rarely turn it on.

Then you might as well not have one, you say.

Maybe so, but I save it for a possible emergency, such as a flat tire or car break down.

I can call a tow truck or a relative to come get me.

I rarely, if ever, talk on a cell phone while I drive.

I think that is a dangerous combination. And texting even worse.

People can get killed while driving and texting, and do.

How can they possibly text without diverting their attention from the road?

My daughter has a new modern cell phone that does everything but talk.

Wait a minute. It does talk. The phone features Google maps navigation which provides turn-by-turn voice navigation. While in Jonesboro recently we searched for a friend's home. We had the house number and street number. We followed voice instructions that told us where to turn on various streets until we reached the specific location. It took us to my friend's door.

Prior to that as we drove along, a question arose concerning the twelve disciples of Christ.

What were their names?

We recited all the names, save one.

We couldn't think of it.

So my daughter turned on her cell phone and researched the answer.

In a moment she had the names of all 12 disciples.

We had forgotten Bartholomew.

I was surprised that her phone had the capability to find the answer.

In fact, it has hundreds of applications.

The phone has a keyboard for sending messages. Using my home computer, I am able to email her via her phone. She, in turn, can email me on her cell phone when she is away from her home computer.

The phone also takes digital camera-quality snapshots.

It went on the market last November.

The old-fashioned bulky phone I carry is capable of dialing or receiving a number. That is, unless the battery needs recharging..

It is the first cell phone I ever bought, years ago..

My daughter calls it a toy phone and has stopped asking me to "turn it on."

We live in different cell phone worlds.

But it is an age that has come.

If you don't believe me, just look around.

Meantime, I'll hold on to my landline phone.

I'm not addicted yet.