[theoddz]

When cell phones first became popular, I vowed that I wouldn't get suckered into that "trap" of constant availability. I was able to effectively shun the cell phone trap until my aging parents, who lived far away from me, began to develop health problems. I finally broke down. I never disconnected my land line, though, and still have one to this day.

In my world, just because a phone rings does not mean that I am required to answer it.....period. I am not Pavlov's dog. I rarely answer my cell phone...ever. This is a carryover from my working days in a busy hospital, in a profession that made it very difficult for me to get interrupted from what I was doing in patient care. This is why I don't usually give my cell number out to anyone. If I do, I always state that, for the most part, I will not answer it. The phone is there for my convenience, not yours. I pay the bill and this is my prerogative. Even with my land line, I don't always answer the phone, even if I'm sitting right next to it. It depends on if I feel like talking. I find it very, very difficult to "visit" on the phone. If you call me and get me on the phone, tell me what you're calling about and get to the point. I don't do "small talk" on the phone. It's just how I am. This is why I have an answering machine (voice mail for the cell phone). It's a quick way to tell me what you need to say and make sure I get your message.

I know, I sound like a "heel", but I'm really not. I'm just an extremely private person. I the past years, I've noticed that there are really quite a few folks who are like me, too.

~Theo~