A red light flashed. Letters and numbers skittered across the screen at alarming speed. And then… Pfffft!
Nothing.
Black.
Panic… Sorrow…
My handy lifeline to my personal universe was now a diabolically dead display.
I intentionally restrict myself when it comes to devices, intent on owning them and not the other away around. But my beloved tucks-into-the-cleavage link to the world, to my apps and connections, to my text tracking of kids-on-the-move – my beautiful Blackberry that served so well?
R.I.P.?
No way! CPR!!!
I took a deep breath. I removed the battery and then replaced it.
Zip.
Rinse and repeat, this time gently blowing to eliminate any dust particles.
Yes, again, rinse and repeat. And I am aware of the definition of “crazy” – doing the same thing over and over, and fully expecting a different result.
Still, intrepid (stubborn?) in the face of mounting distress, I plugged my curvaceous companion into its charger and allowed it to luxuriate on life support.
I felt forlorn. I began to mourn.
The charger worked, but the Blackberry?
Nada.
Cue the tears. (Okay, kidding.)
Cue the martini. (NOT kidding.)
After several hours plugged in but unresponsive, suddenly my phone began to blink!
But the miracle was short-lived, as once again symbols and letters flagged a failing friend with whom I’d shared witticisms, wisdom, vivacious verbiage…
And then my sons’ voices were echoing in my head: “Jeez, Mom… Are you the only person on the planet without an iPhone?”
I had tried explaining the writerly satisfaction of tap-tap-tapping on a keyboard I could actually feel.
They rolled their eyes. They sniggered under their breath. They shook their heads in adolescent and dramatic disapproval. Yet this morning, deep breathing and chanting “change is good, change is good” – I found myself in the AT&T retail store, hoping they might work magic – only to accept that my little beauty was truly Dead On Arrival.
And some 18 hours after the originating event? Despite a morning away from my laptop that wasn’t part of the plan, I am home with an iPhone, semi-dazed, and utterly delighted.
The iPhone? Sure, I’ll adjust and I’m certain I’ll come to love it. But the delight is the result of patient, informative, and knowledgeable assistance. Smiling faces. Kindly manner. Exactly what we hope for when embarking (with trepidation) on change we didn’t expect.
The fact is, I’d been contemplating a new phone for a year, and with all-necessary-bells-and-whistles. I consulted with both my techie sons and also asked a handful of friends. But I was overwhelmed by the options, and thus kept putting off the decision.
This morning?
One smart and gracious woman was extraordinarily helpful – especially with me in my insufficiently caffeinated state. I explained my needs, she made a recommendation, and that was that. Easy-peasy. The remainder of our time together was dedicated to setup and explanations.
I will add that I spend so many hours behind a screen, I forget what it is to get off my own island, to whit – I ran to a Starbucks a few doors down – so many fascinating people to observe! I chatted with another customer in the store – what fun that was! So pleasant an experience was my unscheduled “field trip,” the friendly fellow client was good enough to demonstrate features on her phone while my paperwork was underway.
When planning is bumped by events beyond our control, we can fight them and pout, or get coffee and roll with it…
A few other lessons and reminders?
A smile works wonders.
Patience helps everything.
Humor? Most excellent!
And a thank you is invaluable.
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I got an iPhone 5 recently and it never leaves my side. I blog from it, take photos, record ideas, find my way around, facebook, tweet, connect with friends, do research, watch videos, listen to my music library and learn new things from podcasts. This is by no means a complete list. Ironically, I rarely use it as a phone. I carry a “mophie” so I can charge it in the go. Many times I’ve left the house without my wallet but I always have my iPhone. If I sound like a glassy-eyed convert, you’d be right. This little device connects one to the world even though sometimes when you’re using it, it shuts out the world around you. You too will be assimilated. Text me when yours is up and running. God bless Steve Jobs.
Right now I’m in Technology Hell, @Jennifer… (*Deep Sigh* as I try to configure FB and Twitter… then Pinterest…) But as long as I’m in good shoes. (Hey… Is there I “shoe app” I can get to from this thing???)
Tons of shoe apps of course!
i am not an iphone person……..i can’t wait for galaxy 4…….superpowers by spring. for now i love my htc for some reason i never locked into the whole apple thing……..
I felt the same way when my Palm died. I have an iPhone too now. I knew I would like it. what I didn’t know was that I would love it. I try to remind myself that while I love my iPhone, I am not my iPhone.