Conversion!!!

I went to Delhi last weekend.... and my cell stopped functioning. When i called the Hutch ppl they told me that since i had activated international roaming (which incidentally never worked), the roaming got deactivated!!!! So i spent about 24 hrs in Delhi without my lifeline ... my cell!!!! I had gone to delhi to meet an old friend... and her son!! In these 24 hrs, went to my friend's place, went out for dinner, attended a function, slept for a few hrs etc...Basically it was extremely hectic.

I never thought i would be the person say this (the above lifeline line i.e.)... i was a reverse snob (right term?).. i remember when i started working in 2001, in our office only my boss and another colleague of mine used to have a cell... everyone used to coordinate by calling on the landline .. so a couple of times have completely missed on meeting my friends too (on the hottest day in delhi and no money in the pocket.. long story)...

To come back to the reverse snobbery bit.. everyone who used to have a cell then, used to shriek on the phone.. or they would sms when talking to me (or anyone else for that matter)... i used to hate it.. it was so rude!!!! Whenever somebody used to advise me to buy a cell.. i would be like.. "are you crazy? dont want to turn into one of them!!!" . I actually used to be quite proud of the fact that i didnt have a cell... and used to proclaim it loudly!!!! And then one fine night, i left late from work, missed my chartered bus (at 9.30pm).. took a blue line bus and reached and home late.. it was terrible!!!!!!!!!!!!! And then i got dad's car with driver and also a cell .. .. the big motorola handset which used to look like a cordless!!! It had only 2 basic functions.. talk and sms!! Then i got another motorola phone which got stolen.. and finally a basic nokia. Now i have a motorola again!!!

For a long time (4-5 yrs), i used to keep my cell on silent.. always.. again a type of reverse snobbery.. cant have some frivolous ring tone on my cell!!!! I just graduated to having a ring tone on my cell.. or some kind of music!!! I still do not have a caller ring tone (the music ppl hear when they call me)!!!

So my basic point was - i was so missing my cell... in those 24 hrs that i spent in delhi... the trip was great but i was feeling so disconnected and disoriented... at the airport the flight got delayed and had to use the pay phone to tell my husband (havent used it in a long time) ..... its become an extension of me... my arm.. hand rather.. i always have the cell in my hand.. rather most of the times... rather whenever i can :-) .. . else it is on the desk where i can see it..

I cant dream of being away from it. It also doubles up as my watch.. even if i am wearing a watch, i still consult my cell (most of the time)! Also serves as my alarm clock! I dont know how we ever managed anything when we didnt have cells..... Its extremely strange .. from total non believer.. i have gone to being a believer..

But of course 2 sides to a story -

Whenever i do not have my cell.. or the battery conks off.. i start worrying.. how do i inform ppl about anything.. the time when blasts happened.. or rained heavily... the network was not on.. i felt so helpless.. and so were my family.. worried i.e.!! You tend to worry yourself silly .. what if anything happens.. cant even contact anyone.. earlier used to be bindass.. no worries.. even family used to be chilled out.... you tend to try to stick to the time committed, face ppl even when giving bad news.... everything is on sms now...has it given us an easy way out? This mode of contact even when on the move.. has it created a world where everyone is just even hassled and can never disconnect.. a monster???