What to Do When You Don't Have a Pen

I'm one of those people who watch for the blinking green light on my phone every five seconds. I feel phantom vibrations when my phone is on silent, and I pull it from my right jeans pocket only to find nothing. No blinking green light. I'm addicted to checking for new text messages, e-mail notifications and updates.

My cell phone is in danger of completely taking over my life. Or, more accurately, my life is in danger of being completely taken over by my cell phone. I cannot imagine the olden days when I survived without a mobile device that lets me know when the next bus is coming, buy movie tickets on the way to the theater or settle an argument via a quick mobile Google search for what year a song was released.

Depending on my phone for so many things has made it a crutch for minute-to-minute (really, not even day-to-day) living. Last weekend, I found myself at dinner without a pen and paper. I needed to make a grocery list. Right then and there. I couldn't wait another minute. I didn't want to forget the salsa or the feta cheese (for two different meal plans), and I was in great danger of doing that if I didn't start making the list right there.

Seriously, I thought I might go into panic mode. So, some quick thinking led me to that dependable pocket friend. I did what any sensible person would do - I sent a text message to the friend I was with that included my entire shopping list. All six items, including the salsa and the feta cheese.

When I walked into the grocery store 45 minutes or so later, I referenced the text I had sent. I promptly began filling a basket with groceries that included just about nothing on that list. But that's a completely different issue.