I haven't had my cell phone for very long, so I'm still getting used to it. I've been known to let it sit on the charger for days, and if I turn it silent for a movie or something I usually forget to turn the ringer on for a few days.

Don't get me wrong, there are several good uses for cell phones. I can talk to my family for free, and I can talk to my far away friends for free on nights and weekends. It's a great thing to have for emergencies, or simply for changing plans at the last minute. I do like having it just in case I need it.

What I don't like is how important cell phones have become to my generation: it's more than just a helpful electronic device, it's a fad. To me, that is hell. Now we can all call each other and talk even when we don't want to talk. The people who know me well know that I am fundamentally antisocial and that I am usually a man of few words. And now I get a cell phone and I'm suddenly supposed to be a different guy, one who will want to talk to everyone all the time? If I don't pick up my cell phone, it's nothing personal, it's because I don't want to be talking on a f*#@ing phone right now! So leave a damn message, and don't you dare get pissed if I don't respond right away!

That is why I hate these infernal machines. If I don't answer, if I don't stay within contact 24/7, even good friends will start to get mad. Well calm down, guys, because my standard cell phone operating procedure is to leave it in my room in a corner. And if I don't hear it, I don't care. I don't like being in contact all the time, so calm down and deal with it.