Back before cell phones you just had to guess what to do. Plans were necessary to put together any organized event and everybody just did what they figured was best after that. Now we can just call on our cell phones to check in. Want me to bring anything?
Back in the day as they sometimes say, cellphones would have been real handy. Now it's hard to think about not having a cellphone on me wherever I am. Connecting and keeping up is pretty easy now for the most part. I could have used that access when I was on the road working in the eighties. I had to conduct my business in phone booths or motel room phones. A lot of change was required since that's what those phones took.
Then there were the camping trips in the seventies with my Tennessee friends. We would frequent campgrounds in the Great Smokies where we would sometimes set up camp for several days as friends came and went. Newcomers to the camp would bring whatever supplies they figured they or someone else might need. There might be food, but mostly beer. I didn't drink much back then so the beer was of little consequence to me. But most everyone else enjoyed their beer.
Yes, the cellphone would have been a real game changer. In fact I can hear it now: "Bring beer, Bob! We're running low!"
The Insecure Writer's Support Group
Join us on the first Wednesday of each month in Alex J. Cavanaugh's Insecure Writer's Support Group--a forum of writers who gather to talk about writing and the writer's life. For a complete list of participants visit Alex's Blog.
The co-hosts for the April 2 posting of the IWSG are Jennifer Lane, L Diane Wolfe, Jenni Enzor, and Natalie Aguirre.
April 2 question - What fantasy character would you like to fight, go on a quest with, or have a beer/glass of wine with?
I'm not much on fantasy and very rarely read it. Forget the fantasy characters. I think I'd rather go back to have an adventure with some of my old friends from the past. Sometimes the past seems like a fantasy anyway so that's enough for me.
Jamie (jannghi.blogspot.com):
ReplyDeleteI still try to remember how life was before cell phones. Needing to find a payphone or use the office phone at school when we got sick and needed our parents to pick us up.
Jamie, you had to make plans to be picked up or find a phone booth. Sometimes there'd be people waiting in line to use the phone so you couldn't just idly chat without raising some hackles in the line waiting.
DeleteLee
Amazing how long humans survived without cell phones, isn't it?
ReplyDeleteAlex, I think a lot of us were always dreaming of having a phone we could carry with us. Or a wristband radio like Dick Tracy.
DeleteLee
It was a pain to find a public phone. Thankfully, I never needed one too much as a kid or young adult. But, yeah, "back in the day", cellphones would have been wonderful! I don't think young people, especially young parents realize how easy they have it with smartphones. They not only have a phone in hand but a little computer, and what I love is a camera/camcorder ready to snap those precious moments with baby. What I would've given to have this technology when ours were small! Your time spent in the Smoky Mtns camping sounds like a whole lot of fun. That's the way things should be - sweet and simple. We've gotten away from so much of this over time.
ReplyDeleteI just wanted you to know you voted for a non-contender in yesterday's BOTB. You're welcome to recast your vote but if you don't have time or want to then that's okay. ;)
Have the beautiful, blessed day, buddy!
Cathy, I never really used pay phones that much until I was working on the road and then I had no choice. I hated to have to conduct business by payphone.
DeleteI went back and voted properly though I still like that choice I made for the reasons I said.
Lee
I grew up in the Time Before Cellphones (one of the last generations, really), and I can't believe how we did it. I won't let my kids go anywhere without a phone these days (to keep a tab on them), and it takes a constant stream of text messages to make plans with anyone. How did my parents ever figure out where to go or who to meet with?
ReplyDeleteCD, maybe people just made things simpler back then. Now everyone is worried about the details.
DeleteLee
Superman could never change in a phone booth now!
ReplyDeleteL.Diane, Superman would have to find another change area.
DeleteLee
As a fifteen year old, life without cell phones seem impossible. People say it shouldn't be like that but again- this is 2k25. The past as a fantasy is an amazing metaphor!
ReplyDeleteHave a great day!
Anastasia, I was about 50 when I got my first cell phone. My kids already had theirs by the time I got one.
DeleteLee
No cell phones and there were party lines...remember Pillow Talk? My hubby refuses to have a cell phone. He says you call our home phone or send smoke signals. You know, somehow we made do and survived. Some people are on their phone too much. It is convenient and it takes great pictures!
ReplyDeleteI like to chum around with fairies. They live in beautiful places, yet, they can be fierce
Birgit, I primarily use our land line to make calls. My cell phone is fine for the occasional text and it is fantastic for getting guidance to go places.
DeleteLee
Cell phones have made life easier in some ways, but we've lost some things. Like my kids never learned how to give directions to our house. :) I remember always having to have a quarter with me when I went out so that I could call my parents. Going back to see old friends is a great way to answer this month's question!
ReplyDeleteJenni, I remember when I always carried a dime for a call if needed and I didn't really want to spend that dime. I think phone calls went up to a quarter in the seventies maybe. I always carried a phone card with me in the eighties. Phone calls could be expensive back then.
DeleteLee
Was traveling with my nephew a few years back and I pulled out a map. He said he'd never seen one and asked why I didn't use Google Maps. I told him I do, but sometimes I want to see the whole area of where I'm headed, not just what's on the little screen.
ReplyDeleteAnon, I loved maps when I was a kid and still do. Last year I gave my grandson a package of maps I'd collected since the sixties. He wasn't familiar with maps, but his dad likes them so I hope they had some fun with them.
DeleteI agree with you about getting that entire overview of where I am and where I'm going.
Lee
"Back in the day," I fought against the cell phone until one day my boss went out and bought me one and put it on my desk. Now, I can't go without my phone and I'm not so sure it's a good thing. :)
ReplyDeleteBrenda, I resisted having a cell phone too. My wife eventually got me one--or that is gave me her old one and that's what she's done ever since.
DeleteLee
Beer is a good bring-along, especially a stout or porter. LOL!
ReplyDeleteDonna: Click for my 2025 A-Z Blog
Donna, usually in most gatherings someone will be happy to drink whatever you bring.
DeleteLee
Haha, sometimes my past feels like a fantasy too, Arlee! I lived in some areas in Northern Ontario where the only link to the Outside was a radio at the Hudson's Bay Store. We used our feet when we had to talk to someone about something. And when I lived in a Nfld outport in the early 1970s, I experienced the arrival of telephone service, and the aftermath. 😂 I must be old! 😂. Have a great April!
ReplyDeleteFundy, sounds like an adventure. Good stuff to write about I think, but no so much fun to relive.
DeleteLee
I rely way too much on my phone these days that when I think to times when we didn't have a phone on us 24-7, I'm surprised I managed to get through the day LOL
ReplyDeleteAmelia, I can easily imagine pre-cell days, but my phone is definitely now an indispensable part of me.
DeleteLee
I agree that fantasy isn't very appealing to me, Lee. I find people and the real world so fascinating that I don't have much need for fantasy. Conducting business over pay phones sounds rough! Before GPS on my phone, I spent hours of my life lost while driving.
ReplyDeleteJennifer, true stuff is more exciting to me because it actually happened. I was always pretty good with maps and directions, but now I just set my phone and let the lady tell me when to turn or wherever.
DeleteLee
I'm quite glad I didn't have a cell phone as a teen or young adult. Can't imagine the mayhem - I'd be receiving calls from work at all odd hours. Or texts from my parents, especially my mum and other female relatives. No disappearing for an evening without the family getting search parties out. Zero privacy. :)
ReplyDeleteWe tend to 'monitor' our children much more through the phone than the previous generations ever had a chance. Not sure that's always a good thing.
Cell phones do make life easier, not denying the advantages though.
Nilanjana, I think I prefer not having had a phone when I was younger. I see so many people absorbed in their phones and not paying attention to what's around them. When I was in elementary school I don't know that my mother even knew where I was on adventurous summer vacation days.
DeleteNow I wouldn't want to do without my phone even though I rarely get calls from anybody.
Lee
I would have felt a lot safer as a college and law school student and when I drove to many courts and clients' houses if I had a cellphone.
ReplyDeleteNatalie, there is a big safety and security factor in having a phone. Also things like calling just to see if someone is home if you're going to their house.
DeleteLee
Ah, the past. I'm sure those experiences have been enhanced over the years. Memories are so special.
ReplyDeleteJQ, the past is probably rarely as good (or bad) as we think of it now. I have a great past to reflect upon.
DeleteLee
I'd love to see some of my friends from the past, too. It feels like a lifetime since I last saw them. It's interesting to think about how much we might have changed since then, and whether we'd still get along.
ReplyDeleteDamyanti, I prefer the old versions of some of my friends. The ways they changed have not necessarily been better, but maybe I see them now as they always really were.
DeleteLee