03.29.2004

The mobile phone market is big and still growing. The usage of this drug is already wide spread, especially among youth. It is a popular way of cutting things short and can be fun and even helpful at times.

Now the following: I was and still am a bit in love with this much younger girl with whom I worked. To make a long story not that long, after almost two months of intense sharing and caring, I got cut short, by text messaging!

Sitting at home, I heard the sound that until now brought me only happiness. That sound of a text-message coming in would bring a smile to my face without even knowing what the message was about! Why? Because I knew that nine out of ten messages were from my girl. A feeling that some of you will know for sure. However the message read: I AM ENDING IT. No more, no less.

We almost got back together again a month later (her initiative and through text-messaging - what the?) but I never saw or spoke to her again in person. I have no more tune for my incoming messages; I would rather not get them at all.

How impersonal can we get? I suppose that what happened to me doesn't differ that much from the old school, almost cowardly, phone call break-up. But are we so addicted that we cannot even pick up a pen and paper any more? Or better yet, ring a doorbell? Don't get me wrong, the message, the pain or maybe even the intense happiness will not change, but your self-esteem will take less of a blow for sure.

Currently I am doing research for a documentary on marriage portraits, and the secrets of successful marriages behind some of them. The secret that all the truly happily married couples I have spoken to share, no matter what age or social status, is GOOD COMMUNICATION and mutual respect. It's corny but a truism nonetheless.

Dealers of this drug make big bucks selling their 'special deals' to mostly under-aged users; don't YOU want Britney or Justin as your ring tone? If you do, it's unlikely your high will last long and you're going to want a new ring tone soon. But you can't really blame the dealers. It's still a growing market where newcomers are unaware of mobile subscription options and are, thus, easy prey. Long-time addicts of this drug are anyone who still has a beeper and anyone who still writes up-side-down words on their calculators (710 0553 = ESSO OIL).

I have seen people going nuts after being deprived of there drug for just a couple of hours - scary shit. Yet just a couple of years ago you could manage fine without! It may be bad for your brain cells but surely it's not an improvement on your social skills.

I know text-messages can come in handy at times but, when you can, just give me a ring.