too much information

We’re in Watford again - Anniemay has a play-date with a man from Olympus in our favourite camera shop.  I’d rephrase that but I’m tired.

My mobile phone has died.  Not that anyone would notice; I have a pensioner phone on a ‘pay as you go’ tariff and still have the original £10’s worth of calls and texts that I started with.  

The family has a tradition of hand-me down iPhones.  Chris always gets the latest one and passes on his previous model to Anniemay who passes her old one to Dan.  I say ‘passes’.  There is a financial transaction involved rather than an act of charity.  Current thinking is that I should inherit Dan’s.  I’m not keen.  I don’t want an iPhone.

Before Anniemay’s assignation with the camera man we take a comfort break in John Lewis (where I took this blip incidentally) and I wander off to the phone department.

A young girl pounces on me as I look at the latest generation of pensioner-phones; this one is a ‘smart’ phone.  I explain that I hate mobile phones, don’t really want one - certainly not an iPhone - but am considering something like the one I’m currently holding in my hand.  

Her initial expression of shock gives way to bemusement before settling on a smile.  A knowing smile.  The sort of smile that says ‘here’s one we learnt about on our course’ which translates roughly as; he’s a technophobe at best - more likely an old duffer who can’t even tie his own shoe laces, let alone manage a mobile phone.

I feel the need to point out that I am not a technophobe; that I can operate a sophisticated digital camera, drive a mixing desk in a music studio, fit an electric motor to a bicycle and see the value and potential of technology to make the world a better place.  I feel this need, but don’t say it.  Because she’s nice and patient, although she is  still smiling that smile.

The simple truth is I’m just not interested in mobile devices and connectivity ‘on the go’.  It holds no interest for me at all.  I have no problem with other people who do; it just doesn’t excite me.  

As we walk away, Anniemay looks back; “she’s still smiling”.

Well - I didn’t expect to write all that when I sat down to post this blip.  That’s the problem with mobile phones; you start with something simple and end up with too much information.