Weekend Assignment #222: Phone Me

"If the phone doesn't ring... it's me."

-Song Title By Jimmy Buffet

Weekend Assignment #222: What do you use a phone for? Do you strictkly use it to make calls and pick up messages, or do you take advantage of other technology bundled with phones these days? Which features do you use all the time, which others would you use if they were available and cheap, and which would you not bother with even if they were free?

Extra Credit: Do you use your land line to make and receive calls from friends or family?

-Karen Funk Blocher, of the blog, Outpost Mavarin

Well, yesterday, when I woke up, I found a pretty gold bag on my desk that said Godiva on the side, and had a little hand written card next to it that read, "Don't open until I get home." You see, it was my birthday, and Alan had a surprise in store for me. He bought me a brand spanking new cell phone. It is a Sony Ericsson Walkman, model #5801... in pink. And to go with it, he bought me a cute little purse and some cables for charging it in the car, and to play my music play list through my car stereo.

He knows I have been wanting a new phone for a while now, and with the new law regarding using only hands free devices in cars beginning on Tuesday, he thought it might be a good time for us to do some upgrading. He got a new phone, and a blue tooth device also. He and I LIVE on our phones. I text with my pal H.P. all the time, and I use the picture and video options often as well. Not to mention using the reminder feature and mobile email. This new model has a great fitness application in edition to the little built-in MP3 player, so I can keep track of my steps and calories burned as I walk or bike. It's just an awesome little phone! And did I mention it's pink? :)

So, to answer Karen's question... I use every feature on my phone, but most often I use the email, text messaging and the photo features. As for my land line, I would have it disconnected all together if I wasn't on dial-up. I tried to get AT&T High Speed about a year ago, but they told me, at that time, I was living on the wrong side of the street! Sheesh. I am always the girl from the wrong side of the tracks! LOL. Maybe someday they will run a line on my side of the street, and then I can make the big move to High Speed, until then, I am way back here on the, slow as molasses, elderly dinosaur dial-up. :(

Extra Credit: Nope, never use it for anything but dial-up. I haven't spoken on my home phone since 2002.

"I like my new telephone, my computer works just fine, my calculator is perfect, but Lord I miss my mind."

-Unknown

PS: Oh yeah, I almost forgot, there were also two candy bars in the bag. A Godiva Sugar-Free Milk Chocolate, and a Chocolate Raspberry Dark Chocolate bar. YUM!

-OndineMonet
"Elvis On The Phone"
Berkeley, California
June 29th, 2008
Late Afternoon

It's My Birthday Today :)

"Because time itself is like a spiral, something special happens on your birthday each year. The same energy that God invested in you at birth is present once again."

-Menachem Mendel Schneerson

Yep, it's my birthday. My 46th birthday to be exact. I love birthdays, even ones with scary numbers like 46! Tee Hee. I feel good this year, I am especially good inside which is a nice feeling in itself, but outside I am doing well too, although there are a few too many gray hairs on the top of my head for my liking! I might have to remedy that soon. Maybe I will go blond, maybe I will keep it red, you never know with me. I prefer not to plan such things, it's good to move about on a whim once in a while.

I am having a quiet day today. We actually celebrated my birthday last night. Alan took me out to dinner and a movie. We went to see the movie, Get Smart, then enjoyed a nice dinner at Red Robin. I signed up for their EClub, so every year during the week of my birthday, I get a certificate for a free birthday burger. They have lots of yummy burgers, but I always liked their no frills cheeseburger the best. What can I say, I am simple girl to please. It is delicious, and with the rare indulgence of the bottomless fries... well... yum! But before the burger, came a cup of the French Onion soup. As you might have guessed, I think they make the best ever! It's buttery and delicious. You should try it sometime.

Get Smart was wonderful. While neither Alan nor I are big fans of Steve Carell, we both really liked him in the role of Maxwell Smart. In fact, I couldn't think of anyone who would have done better. The movie was more then predictable, but that wasn't really their fault, the problem was I grew up watching the old series Get Smart, so I kinda new what to expect. Shrug. That was a good thing because they didn't let me down. It was good. One of my big hesitations about seeing movies that are based on TV, or movies from way back when, is that the powers that be tend to change them too much to fit into today's trends. Sometimes I just want to see a remake of the original brilliance, not a cheap updated copy. You know?

I was ready to sleep when I got home last night, and sleep I did, until Elvis woke me around 7 this morning with the usual kisses and patty pats. That is my favorite way to wake up, so my birthday couldn't have gotten off to a better start. On the nightstand was a birthday card my mother-in-law sent me, and inside was a check for $100.00! She loves me! :) We have a pretty solid relationship, and in that she had three boys, she enjoys treating me like the daughter she never had. It's a nice feeling, since my parents are both gone now.

When I came into my office, I saw a nice gold bag sitting on my desk. It says, GODIVA on the side, and it is taped shut. The little card next to it says, "Don't open until I get home later!" Alan gets home around 2:00 PM so I will have to be good until then. I wonder what it could be? I will just have to be strong until then, who knows, maybe I will take myself out for my free birthday scoop from Baskin Robbins while I ponder it. LOL. I love getting those free offers in my email. Don't worry, I will share with you tomorrow what came in the GODIVA bag. I promise.

So tell me, do you sign up for free burgers or other free offers on your birthday? If so, which ones are your favorites? Do you have a favorite place to go and celebrate? Do you like birthday cake or birthday pie? When is your birthday? Are you ok with turning the age you will be on your next birthday? Do you have a favorite birthday?