Local News

iLove this phone

TBO.com
Published: October 4, 2012

It is with a nod of respect and applause of thanks I recognize the lovely Ms. Lynne of our Sebring Walmart. She helped yours truly make the leap to her first really smart phone.

Many had tried, but only Ms. Lynne with her no-nonsense, let's make this simple for you, honey, approach was able to finalize the deal. I am in iPhone heaven! Wait, is there a heaven app? I need to check that out later. That's one I definitely want to add.

I have lusted after one of these slick little ditties for so long, but budgets are tight, and I couldn't justify the expense. I had a slide out keyboard and could access the net with unlimited usage, so it seemed prudent to keep the phone I had.

I planned to upgrade as soon as somebody got a raise or the phone finally died. We all know how the raise thing has gone in the past few years, and since I take really good care of stuff, the phone just kept on working. I mean, this phone was like super phone. I had even skittered it across the pavement several times, dropping it while trying to answer a call when running. This resulted in the exterior case looking like Monster Cat had sampled it, but it just kept working. Then it happened.

Verizon gave me the shove as apparently I was the only customer still left on planet earth who had, gasp, an Alltel phone! Anyone remember them? Yeah, well, apparently someone must have been purging files and realized that deep down South, in a little town called Sebring, some lady still clutched a phone of the prior brand. They sent a Dear John letter to tell me I was being cut off. I was hurt at first, then annoyed, because I would not be allowed to transfer my unlimited data to a new phone. That seemed harsh, and potentially expensive.

So we were doing the grocery thing when we ran into one of Mr. Harris' fire buddies. He mentioned how much he adored his iPhone. Mr. Harris asked him a few questions and soon we were discussing making the leap as we finished shopping. I was standing in the chip aisle, trembling in anticipation.

We met Lynne in electronics and she made the iPhone purchase simple enough for, well, even me, to understand. Mr. Harris reminded me I was being kicked to the curb, so I might as well go ahead.

I love that about him, really I do. When I can't bear to make the purchase, he usually speaks up, encouraging me to do it already. I suspect he's just tired of endlessly discussing it.

This iPhone is the latest in the superfluous baggage of goodies found in modern life, and it is changing mine for sure.

I didn't buy the latest, greatest model, knowing I don't need a virtual assistant. When she can do laundry and start dinner, let me know; otherwise, it's just one more annoying distraction. I have to admit that being able to do, well, everything, anywhere has been incredibly liberating and I don't even know everything I can do yet.

I had to laugh when I received the first phone call and realized I didn't know how to answer it. Thankfully a lovely young woman nearby was able to show me, and instruct me in turning on the vibrate setting.

I'm sure I'll soon be a candidate for the next excessive phone user's support group meeting. "Hi, my name is Dorothy, and iLove this phone!"