I love Barry Blackberry. Or rather I'm obsessed. I think about him when he's tucked away in my purse while I'm working and cuddle him close to my chest to keep him warm when it's cold and rainy. He's the first thing I grab in the morning and I never forget to blow him a little kiss before heading off to bed each night. But like many others who take their loved ones for granted, I was careless with Barry's love, refusing to buy him that shiny case he'd had his eye on for months. You don't need it, I told him. You look fine just the way you are. And each time I dropped him on my tile floor, I would gingerly put him back together and swear this was the last time I'd ever hurt him. That I'd never again place him next to my three-year old's cup of milk. That I'd find a appropriate place in my purse to store him where he wouldn't get all sticky.

All Empty Promises.

Then, last Sunday, Barry had enough. He'd taken it like a man when I splashed some fresh-squeezed lemonade on him at the carnival and didn't miss a beat when my daughter spilled sugar from her pixie stick all up in his parts. But when I dropped him on that damn tile again, that was it. After putting him back together, his (lcd) light just wouldn't shine again. Barry was gone.

*Cue panicked run to Verizon store and angry tantrum when clerk informed me that I would have to wait TWO DAYS to get a new phone*

Hanging my head in my hands, I thought, How the f*ck am I going to survive two days without a phone? My sales job requires me to be in the car all day, and Barry Blackberry had always been my window into the world. Now I was going to have to *gasp* listen to music, or God forbid, my own thoughts!

But what struck me the most in my two days of radio silence was how much I'd changed since getting Barry. How distracted I had become in my daily life, how little I paid attention to others while I was replying to a text that I thought just couldn't wait. Now I wondered why it had been so urgent. How often I chose to Facebook on my phone between appointments rather than preparing. That I was so addicted to my phone that I kept reaching for it even though it wasn't there. All in all, I felt pretty lame and promised to try to make some changes when my new Barry Blackberry arrived on my doorstep.

And since re-entering the land of the communicative, I have to admit that old habits die hard. But I'm trying. I even bought him a shiny pink case, although he feels it strips away his masculinity. I told him he'll get over it-it's better than having your battery case ripped opened every day, right?

The best part of my two days of silence? My productivity. I even had time to make a list about it!

During my Radio silence...

Actually listened to myself think. Think I may have solved that whole cold fusion thing.

Went to the car wash and *watched* my car get washed.

Endured more crunching and smacking sounds than any one person ever should.

Gave that guy at Starbucks the wrong idea when I stared at his Blackberry. (I may have drooled a little bit .)

Decided that I was too good and started judging everyone else talking on their cell phone to make myself feel better.

Eavesdropped on some really interesting conversations.

NEVER knew what time it was.

xoxo, Liz