The Key to Accessorizing

As Ken is to Barbie, it appears the latest “must-have” accessory that one is obliged to hold and behold is the cell phone.  Ken, albeit with his affable (although somewhat suspicious) smile, firm pectoral muscles and modish outfits, still has never been seen much more than arm candy to Barbie.  The cell phone has pushed aside that invariable stigma that Ken, in his envious (yet dubious) position of Barbie’s compulsory and color coordinated fashion ornament, never seemed to be able to and has gotten up close and personal and has become totally indispensable in our lives.

From their distinctive and personalized rings, cell phones are emerging from pockets and purses from coast to coast, from boardrooms to PTA meetings, from playgrounds to department stores, restaurants and theatres.  What I want to know is: a) whom are these people speaking with and about what, and b) what is it about the resonance of the phone that has people under its trance to the point that they jump up and run out of rooms to catch each and every “important and must-take” call?  I have seen folks go into sweaty palpitations when they have been denied access to these communication contraptions, it isn’t pretty.  All I know is that normal everyday citizens have been empowered by these convenient devices to feel that they are somewhat significant and above anyone who isn’t getting a half a dozen calls on their cell phone.

Okay, so I have a cell phone, too.  My gadget loving, techno driven love muffin did the research and when the blatant harassment from “friends” that I didn’t have the latest and greatest mobile became unbearable, I succumbed.   I go on reliable information that just having a cellular device makes me look important.  I just don’t turn mine on.

I guess I am old fashioned.  It took me a while to warm up to answering machines and voice mail.  Once I figured out, though, what a handy and useful service is provided (oops, guess your message got deleted), it would be hard to think of my life without it.  I get happy and feel loved when I see my little red message light blinking when I arrive home.  And when I don’t even want to talk to a voice, I can always respond via email – saves time on honing interpersonal skills.

Probably the most selfish of all the reasons I have for the campaign for not using a cell phone is that I like having an excuse for being totally incommunicado.  If you have a cell phone (and actually turn it on), people can reach you for any reason, real or perceived – and to be honest, other than an emergency (which constitutes blood or guts) from my snookums or child, I can’t imagine any urgent need for a cellular discussion.  The fact that the general public has single handedly made extinct the pay phone and insist on chatting away in their chariots, my car is my sanctuary and any intrusion into my quiet time (not to mention concentration on actually driving) seems like an infringement to my (and other driver’s) well being and redemption.

So, as accessories go, it may not make me hip and stylish, but I think I will stick with Ken and leave the cell phones to those in need.  Even though Ken seems a bit stiff and is a man of few words, he does have that smile on his face that makes you wonder what he has been up to.  And, Ken has great staying power.  He hasn’t gone out of style in his 40 years… bet we won’t be able to say that about cell phones, will we?

Cynthia A. McClelland, curious observer of the obvious with interpretations of the oddities of daily life.  Mother, wife and lover of the furry, resides in the north Lake Tahoe area.

Cynthia A. McClelland © 2003-