happy chatter

I accidentally left my mobile home this afternoon, a situation only discovered when I went to check if a client had texted me or not.

I like leaving my mobile home.  I'm not contactable.  No one knows exactly where I am, not even the mobile phone companies tracking my movements, since my device is sitting quietly on my bench tehehe.  (Except the people with me.  Of course they know where I am.)  I feel free, daring, released from the tyranny of always being at someone's beck and call.

At the same time, when I leave my phone home I feel a little anxious.  What if someone needs to contact me urgently?  What if I miss out on important information?  What if something has gone wrong?  I feel isolated and cut off, even a little vulnerable.

I find it kind of funny that I feel that way.  Once upon a time I backpacked around the world.  Mobile phones were around, but I didn't own one until I'd already been away for two years.  It was a clunky thing that made calls and sent texts, which was pretty cool if you were waiting at Covent Garden and your friend hadn't turned up: 'Where are you?'  Of course it only worked if they weren't underground.

Anyway, I tripped all over the place without any mobile connection.  The internet wasn't in every home.  I visited internet cafes to send emails.  And that was enough.  I survived.  I'm still alive.  I didn't actually need a mobile phone.

Turns out I had my mobile phone with me the whole time today.  I found it tucked in exactly the right pocket in my bag, right where it was supposed to be.  The feelings of freedom and fear were all wasted after all.