I now have a cell phone. This is my first cell phone. I am still not sure whether I'm going to bring it back within my 15-day trial period or if I'm keeping it. We'll see.

I have resisted this for years. Tim is still resisting. The reason I gave in: at least 3 times a week since we moved to the new place (which is not near BART and requires that Tim come pick me up from the BART station because we only have one car) I think to myself, "Damn, I wish I had a cell phone right now." At least once a month, something happens that's super-duper annoying that would have been easily prevented by owning a cell phone. I figure that's enough to plop down the cash, make the commitment and add 3.5 oz to my backpack.

I went to the Verizon store because I was told that I'd get a better deal that way, but I'm now wishing I'd ordered online. In the store, I had a hell of a time getting a salesperson to talk to me, then once they did, I seemed to know more about their services than they did (I researched it online before going in, natch). They also tried to upsell me, but I managed to remain firm on that front. I got the cheapest plan available and a decent (I hope) phone.

While I was being credit-checked, the manager came over and started yelling at my salesperson, telling her that they were too busy and she should be "on the floor helping customers". I was standing right there spending lots of money and he had the nerve to imply that I wasn't a customer worth helping?! Then he started yelling at her for letting two employees go to break at the same time. I finally glared at him and he stopped for a full minute before deciding to shunt me off to a different salesperson so he could yell at the one helping me some more.

Gah. My new salesperson had no idea what I wanted, where I was in the process, what concerns I had.

I got home and looked up my plan online and realized that they'd cheated me out of the promotion (no, it wasn't an "internet only" promotion, either) for free night and weekend minutes. I think I'm going to call up and complain (both to get the plan the way I wanted it and about that manager). Gah.

As Tim said, the troubles have begun.

But! I have a cell phone! I can call to be picked up while sitting on BART (above the ground only, but still). Tim can reach me to let me know he's running late. I can call from the side of the road if something happens while we're driving. I can call from the grocery store and say, "They're out of chicken-apple sausage -- what else do you want?"

I can also download and play Tetris on my phone!

The possibilities are endless.