My Cell Phone

I have a morning routine on the weekends. I jostle around in bed and if I can’t go back to sleep, I pick up my cell phone and make phone calls…starting with New York, Chicago, then make my way back to the west coast.

This weekend, after my phone calls and text messages (to people I thought would still be sleeping), I stared at my phone and actually started thinking about my phone itself and the history of my cell phone.

I was one of the last converts to buying a cell phone. I didn’t have one or even consider purchasing one until I started business school. A flurry of emails came through to all of the admits. Had anyone done a comparison of the best plans? Could we get a group rate? Etc. I figured it was time to finally get one. I was 27.

I’ve had a Chicago number ever since. I get fairly annoyed when people ask me why I haven’t changed my number.
1. Why would I? Everyone’s got this number. Why would I change the number, then send out an email to every single person I know and tell them my number has changed. I’m keeping it real with the Chi-town digits.
2. Everyone has cell phones now. It shouldn’t cost anyone extra to dial a 773 area code. Deal and stop whining.

This is my second phone. Same brand. Motorola V something. I loved my first phone. When the antenna detached, I was beside myself. I wanted the same model, but it was outdated. I had to upgrade, but still, I felt like my first phone had better reception, was better quality.

I’ve stored a total of 540 numbers on my phone. Obviously, I deleted many of them. I don’t know how many are actually still on my phone. Is there a quick way to find that out without manually counting? My fax number and employee ID are also stored on my phone.

If I have two phone numbers for one person (cell number and work number), it means you’re one of my best friends. I’ve had to call you at work to get advice in a hurry. Ironically, it also means you may be a stalker. You’ve stalked me using your cell phone, then when I didn’t respond, you started using your work phone. STALKER.

If I met you at a bar or a hotel, then that is the last name I’ve given you.
Andrew Hudson (Hudson Hotel in NYC.)
Trevor Maritime (Maritime Hotel in NYC.)
Shawn Balboa (Balboa bar in SF.)

I store a little over 20 text messages with a few witty comments from friends that make me laugh: “Heading out to dinner with my girl. Pls do give a shout when things are sorted – will meet up if we still have our clothes on…”

But otherwise, it’s a roster of past romantic interests with heartfelt messages: “I miss you,” “Happy Valentine’s Day,” “I can’t stop thinking about you,”….three “I love you”s. I look through them and think that one of these days, it’ll happen again. The spark. Kind words. A meaningful relationship. Some day.

Until then, my line is open.