The Thinklings

"The word 'no' is the way you keep your commitment to the people you have already said 'yes' to."

- Phil Schroeder

Wednesday, August 26, 2009

Posted by Bird @ 11:22 pm CDT
Filed under: Technology

Sometimes I feel like I'm the only compulsive message checker on earth. I check my email probably dozens of times each day. I'm always scanning my cell phone to see if anyone left me a voice mail or a text message. I usually can't wait to see if anything interesting came in the mail. I'm a message junkie.

I'm going to be doing some photography here soon for Waco's local Care Net, and I was over at the Care Net office today meeting a couple of bigwigs to discuss the photo project when my phone chimed in with a text message. I thought, Crapola. This is awkward. This nice gal's talking, but I've just GOT to check that text message. I tried to think of ways to subtly slide my phone out of my pocket, flip it open, and then scan the juicy text. My mouth was practically drooling at the opportunity. Just when I thought I had enough will power to resist the urge to peak at my mobile -- BEEP BEEP BEEP -- another flippin' text message came in! I was a wreck, but by the grace of God I managed to get through the meeting without laying a finger on my phone. (I did, however, flip open my cell while the gal who was seeing me out gave me a quick tour of the place. For a split second she turned away from me ... that's all it took.)

I was happy to get back to my 9 to 5 job after that. I flew across town, anxious to get to my computer. I knew some emails had to have come in while I was gone.

Am I alone?

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1. salguod.net - 08/27/2009 12:04 pm CDT

Byrd at Thinklings writes: Sometimes I feel like I'm the only compulsive message checker on earth. I check my email probably dozens of times each day. I'm always scanning my cell phone to see if anyone left me a voice...

Comments on "Compulsive":

1. Whitney - 08/27/2009 8:04 am CDT

NO, I check my email all the time! I stay at home with the kids, and I think sometimes the email connection helps me realize there is a world beyond Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, ya know? :)

I don't, however, check my phone frequently. But I also don't have a cool phone that does a lot... if I did, I might be on it more.

2. Scott Roche - 08/27/2009 8:15 am CDT

Nope, you're not alone.

3. Michele - 08/27/2009 8:57 am CDT

No, I do the same thing. It is sort of weird, because, at home, I hate phone-calls, don't like spending time on the phone, would rather be listening to preaching, music, etc., but I'm obsessed with fb contact, etc. Argh! I'm a victim of techno-socio-culture-addiction!

4. papa - 08/27/2009 9:22 am CDT

When living overseas I constantly checked for email, it was my lifeline to family and the US.
Now that I'm back home in Houston, near family and friends, not so much. Now I rely more on the cell phone, mostly test messages.

PS: Thanks for being such a great friend to Andrew.
Blessings

5. MzEllen - 08/27/2009 9:54 am CDT

I sleep with my phone next to my head.

6. Bob Sacamento - 08/27/2009 10:06 am CDT

Not alone. Entire books have been written about your syndrome. The youngsters live exactly like you do and they don't even wonder if it's normal. To them, living any other way is weird.

7. salguod - 08/27/2009 11:53 am CDT

I read this and I though "Hey, look! I'm not so whacked after all!" Whew.

No, you're not alone.

8. gretchen from lifenut - 08/27/2009 12:42 pm CDT

You are not alone.

9. Milly - 08/27/2009 3:57 pm CDT

Ummm I think I'm alone. I think I should get around to checking that syuff

10. nhe - 08/28/2009 1:07 pm CDT

I may be worse - I work from home and am on constant IM with the home office, and constant email with customers.......when I'm away from home, I get the shakes if virtual data doesn't display at least hourly in front of me.......somehow.

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