New York, Cell Phone, Drama

Discovery is a beautiful thing.
Realization, on the other hand, can be a slap in the face.

Case in point, yesterday, I had an event that made carrying my cell phone inconvenient. As such, I decided that yesterday would be a cell phone free day. Little did I know how attached to my phone I really am.

1) Always checking your phone while waiting for public transit. While I knew about this, I never realized how much it had become second nature. While going to my intramural game, I had to take the subway, then switch to a bus. Waiting for the subway was not bad since NY (inexplicably) does not have a signal in stations still. However, while waiting 20 minutes for the bus, there was nothing to do. Sure, I had music on; but that did not really do enough to absorb my boredom.

2) After a long time away from the phone, checking it intently to find out the latest X. After the game, everyone, and I mean everyone, pulled their phones out to check up on email, calls, etc. Me? Sitting there lamely with my thumbs to twiddle. Not that it's a bad thing, but I was wondering what the situation was at work, my email account, etc. etc. Same at the bar after the game. Nothing. Just wondering...

3) Remembering things. Heading to the game, I was uncertain where the field was, how to get there, and when it was. I had been to the field once, so I vaguely remember the route, which corner the bus stop was at and what time the bus came. Without my phone, there was always doubt. The inability to double check create an aura of uncertainty. Before a data plan, I could safely say I would have checked, remembered, and if needed, written it down. Now, I choose not to remember and look it up when needed. Is this better or worse in the long run? Does my phone help me remember the 'mundane' things and concentrate on more complicated tasks? Does it let me focus more brain cells on other problems? Or does it provide a crutch so less brain cells are engaged?

Yesterday's experiment was eye-opening. I knew I was attached to my phone; I had never realized how much. Now it's just time to determine if this is a benefit or detriment to my life.

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Song Of The Moment: Jay-Z - Empire State of Mine Feat. Alicia Keys
Comment: New NYC anthem. About time.