Technophobe?

Well, I've finally, sadly joined the ranks of the cellularly enabled.

I think I got my number out to most of y'all. If you don't have it and want it, drop me a line and ask me for it.

I'm not sure how I feel about theoretically being able to be reached by phone 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. But then again, noone says I have to turn my phone on all the time, or even answer it when it rings. I still get to decide how and when I choose to make myself available. Is it selfish to want to be able to disappear off the communications grid from time to time? Maybe I am still rebelling against our impatient culture that wants immediate gratification and everything and everyone at their instantaneous beck and call.

Maybe a small part of me wants other people to have to work a little to get a hold of me, and to have to put a little more time, thought, and effort into how they reach me, when they reach me, and what they say when they do. Isn't part of the beauty of relationship that subtle way we negotiate even the minor terms of our interactions? Isn't part of what makes us feel desirable the lengths the other is willing to go to in order to establish communion with us, and the intentionality and consistency of their efforts to do so?

I'd better be careful though, for this is a sword that cuts both ways -- forcing me to evaluate my own life and relationships and the extent to which I engage in reaching out toward others.