Jet’s places
This is what a day without a phone looks like
My phone and I are one. I prefer to have it as close to me as possible and I enter my access code about 20 times an hour, scroll through all social media, and send an unnecessary message. Unless my iPhone goes into the big pink concentration box . When the deadline for my pieces approaches and I haven't really made progress, this box is pure necessity. But this week something else made me endure a whole day without my mobile. And that was intense.
Splash
I had a nice presentation job somewhere in Vianen. I felt really grown-up driving there all by myself IN A SHARED car. Just read here why that is super cool. Despite my slight nervousness about the presentation, it went pretty well. I quickly did a nervous pee. Well, quickly, I was wearing a complicated supersonic jumpsuit with a zipper and buttons on my back that I couldn't quite reach, so I was already fidgeting and fussing a lot. And then: SPLASH, my phone in the toilet. Completely underwater. PANIC! I immediately fished my child out and tried to dry it off with one of those ridiculous drying towel roll machines. But it was already too late: the screen went black. In fact: my phone completely swelled up, the device became scorching hot and started making ridiculous noises. DAMN!
Bad friend
The first thing I do in case of accidents, celebrations, news, or whatever is call my beloved boyfriend. And then you find out that you don't know his number by heart. SHIT! He can really reassure me in these kinds of situations and anyway, a toi toi toitje before someone has to do something exciting is a tradition for us. That was all gone.
Lost
I could still drive back to Amsterdam, of course. But without TomTom? I can really follow the signs to Amsterdam, but which exit should I take to return the borrowed car? So? Wrong exit. Hello IKEA, hello ArenA. I drove three laps around a roundabout to read the small signs properly and make a choice. The right choice preferably. And still, I couldn't call my savior in need (my boyfriend, that is). Sigh.
Gas station wifi
On the way, I had of course already realized that I would arrive far too late for my next appointment. Send a message? Nope, couldn't do that. I did have my laptop with me, so I stopped at a gas station and opened my laptop next to the showcase with meat sticks and sent an email with the wifi password ‘gas station’. “Sorry, I'm running a bit late.”
Apple Store
I made appointments sweaty and stressed because I still didn't have a phone. I was late everywhere, had to keep looking for where I was, and I even asked someone for directions the old-fashioned way. When I finally had time for the Apple Store at the end of the day, I was told by a very friendly and calm gentleman that the waiting time was 2.5 hours. The other option was that I could only come back for an appointment three days later. DAMMIT! ALMOST TEARS! I started waiting. I had to and would get a new phone. Luckily, it only took an hour. The first stroke of luck of the day. Then all sorts of things happened that I just don't want to think about anymore. Something about forgetting my access code due to stress, something about PUK codes that I obviously don't have, something about never having made a backup in my life, something about starting with an empty phone without photos, apps, and app history.
A new beginning
Quite a bit lighter in the wallet, I cycled home again. I chose a new background photo, downloaded my favorite apps, made a new access photo, reactivated my app groups, and set the vibrations and tones to my liking. And you know what? It actually felt nice. Like a new beginning.
