10:34 am-I have been surfing the internet aimlessly trying in vain to connect to something. I only got one message in myspace.com yesterday. None today. I am truly pathetic.
1:09 pm-Left gum and water at house, quickly turned back around to retrieve my items. I have had to do the same in the past when I left my phone. Is it possible that my cell phone withdrawal is causing me to forgot other things as well? C.P.W. is getting worse.
3:27 pm-I really, really wan to send a text message to someone…anyone!
8:00-9:00 pm-I swear that I felt my pocket vibrate 4 to 5 times. I saw fellow co workers talking on there cellular devices, the itch came on. I am contemplating ending the experiment two days early. I have gathered enough data after three days to make a clear cut case as to the importance of cell phones to modern society. I do not think I can hold out the rest of the way. Only time can tell.
10:09 pm-I desperately want to contact Dr. Kiki and see what activities her weekend manifested.
Day 4: February 18, 2008
8:04 am-I was tempted to cheat and check phone. I thought on my morning drive about how maybe cell phone companies really reel you in like a fish with there contracts. I want to cancel my phone, but that would require a $200 cancellation fee. They have me by the boo-boo I would say.
11:44 am-I saw a lady walking her two dachshunds while I was leaving for work. She was talking on her cell phone. I wanted to steal it from her and start sending texts, making calls, anything to relieve the tension that I am filling.
11:46 am-Driving from point A to point B goes a lot faster when you are having a conversation with someone.
12:23 pm-Of all the issues in my life and the world why is me not carrying my cell phone the 1 issue I have at this very moment?
3:55 pm-I received free movie tickets at work. I wanted to immediately ask Dr. Trouble if she would like to use the tickets with me. Alas no phone! I will just have to ask her.
7:12 pm-I desperately want to end this experiment and go on to feeling normal with a gadget in my pocket with chips and plastic that can connect me to anyone that I want with a simple entering of a series of numbers.
8:43 pm-I want to contact Dr. Kiki. I do not have her number outside of my phone, I opted out by sending her a comment on myspace.com.
Day 5: February 19, 2008
1:00-6:54am-I had a dream about my cell phone. I do not know if it was chasing me, if I was looking for a charger, or if it had died while getting directions somewhere. The point is that the experiment has taken a turn for the worse. I am ready for this to end. I must see it to the end.
10:06 am-Someone's cell phone was going off while in the library. I stopped what I was doing and listened. At first I was aggravated by the small disturbance. I eventually started asking myself questions. What is the ringtone? Who is calling? Can I borrow the person's phone after he/she is done?
12:10 pm-1:40pm-I could not figure out what to eat for lunch. I actually changed my mind 4 times as to what to indulge on. I am never this decisive about meals, once I want something I get it. I contribute this to the lack of a cell phone in my pocket. Whenever I get in the car I stare at the clock, it is like a beacon of hope for those who have none.
4:57 pm-The lack of my cell phone has put me into a delusional state of mind. I have convinced myself that if I run for the House of Representatives I can win. I do not know if I have seen “Ali G In "da House” to many times or what. I am actually considering it.
5:15 pm-I was told by my “campaign manager” that I do not meet the age limit to run. You have to be 25.
7:00 pm-9:00pm-I watched Michael Clayton . It was very disturbing seeing all the cell phones and Bluetooth"s that the movie contained.
Day 6: February 20, 2008
8:44 am-I now know not to even think about my cell phone when leaving the house.
8:46 am-There is a contest for 101X. To enter the contest you have to enter the word “ghost” to 29217. I turned off the radio.
4:30 pm-8:00 pm-Retreated to a movie to blow off some steam. I watched There Will Be Blood . It was a period piece with no cell phones. I am ready for this damn experiment to be over. I hope no one thinks I am too weird for doing this. I simply had too.
Day 7: February 21, 2008
9:36 am-I was cut off today by a Lexus. The driver, a blonde female, was on the cell phone. Have I done this before? I have. I hung my head in remorse.
4:48 pm-After leaving the movie theater watched a lady pushing a shopping cart full of groceries talking on the cell phone jumping out right in front of two cars. Does cell phone use cause Superman Syndrome?
5:43 pm-Noticed that my V.P.S. (vibrating pocket syndrome) is gone.
8:00 pm-This time tomorrow I will be entering the last little bit of data in and submitting my work to the academy. I am ready for this damn experiment to be over already.
Day 8: February 22, 2008
8:00 am-The experiment is over. I completed all the tasks that were placed upon my feet.
11:32 am-I picked up my cell phone for the first time in 1 week.
Missed Calls:
- Radu
- (512) 338-1011
- Mother (2x)
Text Messages:
Voicemails:
Conclusion:
Our day to day existence is fast paced, and complicated to an outside observer…yet we adapt as we have for thousands of years. A simple device such as a piece of plastic infused with microchips and an antenna seems to make lives more connected and quite possibly prosperous. The problem with modernus homo sapien is the fact that we do not appreciate the simple things that have been instilled into our lives. Take away something for a week and a new found appreciation emerges like a flower in spring.
