Tuesday, December 2, 2008

one-ringy-dingy

Brrrrp, brp, brp, brp, brrrppppp.
Brrrrp, brp, brp, brp, brrrppppp.
Brrrrp, brp, brp, brp, brrrppppp.


What the hell is that annoying noise?
(yes, I talk to myself. and yes, sometimes, even out loud, which is another post all to itself)

Finally, the cobwebs in my head cleared enough to realize it was the phone.

My new phone. The old one having become more of a nuisance than a useful piece of equipment, what with not holding its charge for very long. Sometimes, in the middle of a brrrrrp it will die. Or worse, in the middle of a conversation. No more 30 second warning biip, just an awkward noiselessness that tells me no one is listening to me anymore.

Not even returning the handset to the charger helps. Yeah, yeah, I know. But where is the joy of having a cordless phone if you have to keep putting it back where it belongs? You want to put it down where ever you have wandered while talking. It is a very handy excuse for screening your calls and picking up in the middle of someones message: so sorry, I couldn't find the phone...

Then there is the frantic searching for phone numbers when you try to call back to the person who wasn't listening to you anymore because your phone died, only to realize their number is stored on the phone ... that is ... dead.

So, on the weekend I noticed in the flyers a certain store that doesn't just sell tires* had phones on sale. I went and found a really nice looking model, with a "sleek European" handset. Pondered why there are never any "sleek Korean" designs on the latest LG (whatever) - it's only ever the European design that is sleek. But, for $3 more, I could get this other model that wasn't sleek, or Korean, but did come with an extra handset. Since I do have a tendency to 'lose' my phone, I decided this would be a great option.

Too bad that, sometime within the 16 hour charging period, and 16 hour waiting period for someone to actually phone me I threw out all the packaging. Because, I HATE this phone. I hate the ring. I hate the orange glow on the faceplate. I hate that I can't see the numbers on the orange glowing faceplate. I hate the big orange bar that lights up when the phone is in its charger (instead of the barely conspicuous green dot of my other phone). And I hate the way the handset feels in my hand.

I can be so picky about a $27.00 item I barely use.

In fact, I much prefer my old rotary phone. It has a receiver (note: not a 'handset') that fits quite comfortably in the hand. It has some weight to it, gives you something to hold on to. And a nifty coiling cord to twirl and fiddle with while you're talking. But, sadly it doesn't allow me to press 9 for entry into my building. Nor does it have that oh so convenient 'redial' option. And it does get annoying with those 10-digit numbers beginning with area code 905. It takes a looong time for that dial to go all the way around from 9, then 0.

But it does have a nice comforting, unmistakable 'ring' to it.While looking for a picture of a rotary phone because I thought it would be easier than taking my own I realize that North American phones have the cord on the LEFT while British phones have the cord on the RIGHT. Any ideas as to why this might be??

* Canadian Tire - an auto store that is fast becoming a favourite housewares store.

19 comments:

  1. I love those rotary phones, I remember the thrill of dialling numbers when i was little and they have a proper telephone ring.

    Having said all of that I am not sure I could go lose my hands free phone and I would be lost without my caller display - how would I screen calls without it???

    MA

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  2. I must admit that I do miss 'dialing' a number. It had that authentic feeling that you were actually doing something important. But, oh vey, if you were in a hurry.

    Maybe Americans listen with their left ear and British people listen with their right ear? I am Dutch and I listen with my left ear. It makes it easier to take notes.

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  3. I listen with my left ear but then I am deaf in my right ear. This has got me intrigued - I am going to watch people now when they use the phone to see which ear they use.
    MA

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  4. I have a left over rotary phone, too, but it doesn't work in my phone jacks. And, I can't hear anything on my cordless phones. So basically I'm phoneless.

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  5. I bet if you study your new phone long enough, or give it to a teenager, you can change your ringtone. As for the cord being on the left? I guess it's because we hold our beer in our right hand.

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  6. MA: I figure if they can't leave a message I probably didn't want to talk to them. I'm left handed yet I also use my left ear for the phone, making it a little awkward.

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  7. Irene: and using those dialling pencil like things so you don't ruin your manicure, not that I've ever done that, I just always wanted to.

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  8. XUP: "basically phoneless" and you have a teenager in the house?!

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  9. Geewits: it has 2 options, the second one is even worse and shriller.

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  10. I gave the old rotary phone that was in the basement to my son just because he lies retro electronics. He can't use it but he still wants it. I can't say I miss dialing, though - took too long.

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  11. Not sure about your particular dial phone but most of them are made so you can switch the cord from one side to the other.

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  12. CotW: I have a black rotary with no cord (to get in the way) sitting on my coffee table. For some reason it reminds me of Seinfeld and makes me smile.

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  13. Bandobras: Nope. One side only. Of course, I was only going by the pictures and by the style of the phones that looked British

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  14. Robin: Thank you. I'm trying to get into the spirit, as so many blog friends seem to be extra happy about this time of year.

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  15. That'll teach you to forgo sleek European design!

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  16. Jazz: I know! and ... I had so much CT money that I ended up getting it for free (plus other stuff)! Sleek, always go for the sleek.

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  17. I find this dilemma all the time when trying to find something just to do a simple basic job...Who would think with the glut of techy stuff on the market it would be so difficult .. but it is..
    .. have you tried 2 cans and a piece of string...

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  18. Gwen: and it seems with each 'new' item it gets worse, or harder to use.

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