Topic: CELL PHONES 'R' US (Read 15960 times)

Ginny · « **Reply #30 on:** August 02, 2011, 06:03:52 AM »

Tuesday morning greetings! It was so nice to sleep in my own bed last night. Today I'm off to Dayton for lunch with the grantwriters.

Ginny · « **Reply #31 on:** August 02, 2011, 06:04:13 AM »

Oh, look, Page 2!

Charles Pogue · « **Reply #32 on:** August 02, 2011, 06:30:07 AM »

TOD....Cell phones have pretty much driven me out of movie theatres. Can't stand seeing all those distracting patches of light. I have also noticed on highways, that a lot more cars are hugging or veering over the lane dividing lines, which I attribute to cell phone usage. And like BK, one does wish one could get through a meal or a conversation without drifting inattention because someone has to check their phone. Just because it rings, one doesn't have to answer it; but,of course this is now true of all technology, we have become a slave to it. The umbilical connection people have to their computers is almost as bad. I love when I go to London for my two weeks every year and do not take my computer. What freedom! If I need to check my email, I can get on the hotel lobby computer every few days for a couple of minutes.

The other thing I hate about cell phones is texting. I hate text messages and tell everyone don't text me, call me. People want to be in contact with you, but love the impersonal option of not having to actually speak to you. I don't twitter at all. There is technology which can block cell phone signals and I think all restaurants, theatres, schools, and churches should be allowed to install it. No cell phones should be allowed in a classroom.

Druxy · « **Reply #33 on:** August 02, 2011, 07:04:22 AM »

TOD:

I have a cell phone.

I don't know the number.

I don't know how to pick up messages.

The only person who has the number is my wife, and she knows that it's a waste of time to call me on it.

The only time I use it is when I'm out and I call my mail box place to see if the mail's in or I call my wife for something.

Otherwise, it's just there in case of an emergency.

Years ago (in CA), some schmuck smashed into me because he was talking on the phone and not watching his driving.

Here in Texas, you can talk on the phone while driving, but you can't text.

$:-\$

Ben · « **Reply #34 on:** August 02, 2011, 07:16:45 AM »

I'm much like Druxy.

I don't have a clue what my cell phone number is other than the area code.

I have put a post-it on the back with the phone number written out.

I do know how to dial voice mail (I hate that I can't delete a voice message unless I listen to it because 99.99% of the time it's a wrong number).

Anthony has my cell phone number and I have his (my sister in Minnesota also has the number but she knows not to call it because the phone will be off more than it's on).

I will use it this weekend when I'm in Michigan from Friday to Sunday but that's it. I may use it to call Hertz if if my flight is delayed. I will have a GPS with the rental car so I won't need to call for directions.

I do take it when I go to midtown to the theatre. If there is a problem getting home I may call Anthony to tell him of the delay but otherwise it's off from the time I get to the theatre to the time I leave the theatre.

I HATE, HATE, HATE texts. I know it's the way most people communicate now but I also tell people not to text me. I will delete a text unread. I have a very low-end pay as you go phone with a number-based keyboard. Trying to send a text (even using ? r u?) is tedious and not worth the time AND every text eats up minutes in my pay as you go plan. I don't consider texting part of "my plan"

End of rant.

Kerry · « **Reply #35 on:** August 02, 2011, 07:26:34 AM »

I liked it when you wanted to talk on the phone in public they gave you a special private quiet room to do so-- it was called a phone booth.

JMK · « **Reply #36 on:** August 02, 2011, 07:30:45 AM »

Quote from: JoseSPiano on August 02, 2011, 05:22:33 AM

DR JMK - This is a standard pattern for Julie. I'm sure that after a couple of days, she'll eventually send me sort of brief apology via email or Twitter.

. . .and some wires that were only used once by an old lady on Sunday matinees.

JMK · « **Reply #37 on:** August 02, 2011, 07:31:40 AM »

JR, we're having them replace that section with wood that's going the RIGHT DIRECTION, hence the added expense. But I think it's going to look faboo when it's done. You can't tell from that pic, but that room is huge. It's probably 20 x 18.

Ginny · « **Reply #38 on:** August 02, 2011, 07:48:33 AM »

Off to the grantwriters' meeting. I'm hoping not to leave there today the same way I left last August's meeting - in an ambulance.

Bye for now!

Amy · « **Reply #39 on:** August 02, 2011, 08:05:39 AM »

TOD:

Mark and I don't use cell phones. I finally broke down and got the cheapest pay-as-you-go $20 phone about a year ago. I have to buy 30 minutes ($10) every 90 days to keep the number active, and I can't even seem to use that up. The minutes keep accummulating. Yes, that's right - I'm on a computer all day long - I have two at work, and two at home, but I almost never use a cell phone. I use my DVD burner regularly, and I have a DVR I couldn't live without, but I can't stand my phone. The reason I finally broke down and bought one was because I work in a tiny cubicle and there's absolutely no privacy. And it's very had to call my doctor and say words like "pap smear" and "mammogram" when everyone around me can hear, while everyone else steps outside the building to make their private calls on their cell phones. The problem is that pay phones are almost non-existent now. If there were still plenty of payphones arounds, there would be one in the lobby of my building, and I could use that. So, it's not that I latched onto a fad, but the world around me definitely changed. I finally had a situation where I really need to call my doctor about a personal "feminine" issue. I told the receptionist, "You can ask me all the 'yes' and 'no' questions you like, but I can't just blurt out my symptoms." She was really nice about it and asked all the right quesions, so I could make an appointment. I went home and yelled to Mark, "I can't stand this! I need a cell phone!" It was a sad day indeed.

Amy · « **Reply #40 on:** August 02, 2011, 08:07:45 AM »

But I don't mind other people using cell phones at all.

Ben · « **Reply #41 on:** August 02, 2011, 08:12:43 AM »

The Actors Equity Building (which Jose knows very well) used to have a bank of pay phones inside the waiting room and outside of the actual audition space. I don't remember when they were removed but it's been probably 5 years now. When asked Equity said that almost no one used them anymore and it was too expensive to keep paying monthly rent to Verizon for something most people didn't use. They didn't think it was worth it to keep even one phone in the inner sanctum and one outside for those who don't have cell phones.

They also floated an idea recently that seems to have gone nowhere. They wanted to test the waters regarding audition time slots (for those open calls which are heavily attended by actors without agents) and whether people with "smart phones" might want to sign up using an "app" I hope they received lots and lots of negative feedback because I think it's just not fair. Having a cell phone is one thing but having a smart phone with apps out the butt is another and it's grossly unfair to penalize lower-income (but just as talented) actors who cannot afford a $50 or more cell phone bill every month just for the privilege of being able to get on line anywhere at any time of the day or night. It may change in a few years but for now that idea seems to have gone nowhere.

MBarnum · « **Reply #42 on:** August 02, 2011, 08:20:14 AM »

TOD:

I have a cell phone but don't use it very often. It does come in handy at times, I must admit.

My cheap $10 cell phone kicked the bucket recently so I upgraded to a fancy one that gets internet and all that. It will be nice to have when travelling in LA and I need to locate a place or figure out where I am (it somehow shows a map of exactly where you are!). As JMK can attest, that will be quite helpful for me!

I do find it odd when I see a couple dining together and they are both sitting there texting or playing games on their phone. To each his own, I guess.

For the longest time I did not know how to text. With my new phone I have texted a couple of times. If I had one of these contraptions when I was a teenager I no doubt would have had it glued to myself just like teens of today do....as a kid I certainly spent a lot of time on the telephone, back in the day.

In Oregon it is against the law to talk on your cell phone while driving. As I stand on the street corner waiting for the light to change I will often count how many are on their phones...not very many...but before the law went into being, it was like every other car had the driver chatting on a phone.

MBarnum · « **Reply #43 on:** August 02, 2011, 08:21:58 AM »

The experience of people in an audience using their cell phones is not one that I have come across, fortunately. Perhaps Oregon audiences are a bit more polite about such things.

MBarnum · « **Reply #44 on:** August 02, 2011, 08:23:55 AM »

One advantage of having a cell phone is when I am waiting in an office for an appointment, or for my mom while she is at an appointment. Having the interent on my phone does keep me occupied after I have read all of the stale magazines in the office.

I don't like to talk on my cell phone in public though. I always feel a bit self concious.

MBarnum · « **Reply #45 on:** August 02, 2011, 08:24:12 AM »

Well, I guess that is enough about me and cell phones.

Ron Pulliam · « **Reply #46 on:** August 02, 2011, 08:45:41 AM »

TOD:

Hate cell phones "in use" when people are walking/talking/driving. California has made it illegal to use handheld cell phones while driving, as well as texting. Does this really stop anyone? Huh-uh! The fines start at $250 for first offense, but you never see any police cars to enforce the law.

My cell phone is several years old...I pay as I go. It is extremely useful when you have a car breakdown. I can call AAA and feel safe/secure without bothering anyone else. If I'm on my way to an appointment when something happens, it allows me to call and explain my situation.

This has happened enough times to make it all worthwhile, but it's still out of the norm.

Jrand74 · « **Reply #47 on:** August 02, 2011, 08:46:23 AM »

I have a cell phone, that I take with me when driving, but otherwise I do not use it. It is on my sister's plan so it is not very expensive.

I do not text, and rarely Twitter (from my computer).....but it's nice to have a way to call someone if there is an emergency - but NOT to tell them I am watching a movie in a theatre.

Laura · « **Reply #48 on:** August 02, 2011, 08:52:52 AM »

I find my cell phone very helpful at times -- like when I get a text that a family member is in the ER. Or has passed away. You know, times when they really DO need to get in touch with me.

Laura · « **Reply #49 on:** August 02, 2011, 08:53:45 AM »

Joshie is at the veterinary dentist. He will have all his teeth removed today. It is costing a whole lot more than the estimate the regular vet gave me.

JMK · « **Reply #50 on:** August 02, 2011, 08:59:36 AM »

It's nice to read others' comments here about not "living" with their cell phones, as I am certainly in that camp. Though I have been playing a lot of games on my handy, dandy new smart phone, which is considerably smarter than its owner.

JMK · « **Reply #51 on:** August 02, 2011, 09:00:20 AM »

We had a kind of spooky moment last night: we suddenly heard this weird screeching sort of noise, then a kind of banshee bark out in the wilderness, and realized the coyotes were howling at the moon. Strange, strange sound.

JMK · « **Reply #52 on:** August 02, 2011, 09:01:19 AM »

When Betsy was out cleaning up the dog run on Sunday, she looked over in the neighbors' yard and there plain as day was a young coyote just sitting there looking at her as if to say, "WTF are you doing in my space?"

bk · « **Reply #53 on:** August 02, 2011, 09:35:30 AM »

I'm up after eight hours of sleep. Do you know the only time I ever have vocal problems are when I know I have to sing? It's all in my head and it happens every time - ridiculous. The only two times in the last decade where I have had laryngitis so bad that I had to go to the doctor were - wait for it - before both Guy Haines albums. Stupid.

JoseSPiano · « **Reply #54 on:** August 02, 2011, 09:36:49 AM »

Good Afternoon!

Greetings from Amtrak Train 125!

-It was delayed leaving Penn Station, but, thankfully, only by 10 minutes.

JoseSPiano · « **Reply #55 on:** August 02, 2011, 09:38:57 AM »

DR JRand - I shall pass on your message to Congress once I am back in the Nation's Capital.

JoseSPiano · « **Reply #56 on:** August 02, 2011, 09:40:40 AM »

~~~~~~NON-PSYCHOSOMATIC-LARYNGITIS VIBES TO OUR VERY OWN BK~~~~~

Michael · « **Reply #57 on:** August 02, 2011, 10:21:39 AM »

DR BEN
If you use the #7 to delete the calls try 77 during the message. I do that for my house phone.

Jrand74 · « **Reply #58 on:** August 02, 2011, 11:26:17 AM »

Thanks DR JOSE.....hopefully it will be reflected in my check about 12 months from now.

Jrand74 · « **Reply #59 on:** August 02, 2011, 11:26:50 AM »

Quote from: bk on August 02, 2011, 09:35:30 AM

I'm up after eight hours of sleep. Do you know the only time I ever have vocal problems are when I know I have to sing? It's all in my head and it happens every time - ridiculous. The only two times in the last decade where I have had laryngitis so bad that I had to go to the doctor were - wait for it - before both Guy Haines albums. Stupid.

See: Freud, Sigmund.

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Author Topic: CELL PHONES 'R' US (Read 15960 times)

Ben

Ben

MBarnum

MBarnum

MBarnum

MBarnum