Cell shopping

Bought a cell phone today. I tried to get by without, really, I did. When my Sprint phone wouldn't work here, I decided that it was $40 or so each month in my pocket, and that the quiet life in the country was better without being constantly connected.

Problem is, I've become painfully aware of how unpleasant it would be to have car troubles while out visiting in the country, or (God forbid!) I should hit a dear or otherwise be involved in an accident. Figure in the amount of time I'm on the road and possibly needing to place a call for whatever reason, and the conferences I attend... well, a cell phone starts to look more and more like a necessity for a modern-day pastor.

So I'm trying out a Motorola model from Verizon. Coverage is pretty spotty here, but I knew that. Folks either have CellularOne service here (and they wanted a $500 deposit before they'd give me a phone! Ha!) or Verizon, but you're hit or miss with either. My understanding is that the reception's much better with an external antenna mounted on your car roof. I might try that. I think the coverage is good enough that I'll keep the phone (I have 15 days to change my mind, no harm, no foul).

Not entirely happy to be paying for a cell phone again, especially with money somewhat tight. Still, it's much better to have at least a chance of summoning assistance in an accident, and the convenience while visiting or traveling can't be denied. So, hello again to the cellular world. You knew I'd be back, didn't you?