Phone Death Confirmed

Last night I blogged that my Samsung J7 had died. Honestly I had been hoping that I was wrong and a simple "lung" battery transplant would bring it back to life.

So this morning my friend drove me to the phone place in Ariel, near the Rami Levy. I got there a bit too early, so I did some grocery shopping and then made sure I'd be first on line when it opened at 9:30. I had gotten glowing recommendations about the place, and it is pretty close to Shiloh.

Actually, time-wise, Shaar Binyamin and the Ariel Rami Levy Mall are about the same distance from Shiloh, but the ride to the Ariel one is much more pleasant. They both have branches from the same Rami Levy and phone place, but the road to Shaar Binyamin is via Waadi Charamiya, while half the trip the the Ariel mall is within Ariel.

The Ariel Mall is filling with lots of nice stores and kosher restaurants.

Back at the phone-repair lab, the charming and polite young man tried everything in his repertoire, including calling the manufacturer. Finally, he had no choice other than confirm the sudden-death of my phone.

Since I said that I wasn't about to spend a lot on a phone, since they just don't last very long, he recommended buying the chinese Xiaomi. So now I have less than a day to get advice on which to buy and where. One thing I really liked about him was that he didn't start on a hard sale. He told me to do my research and decide which phone I wanted. I was surprised and relieved.

Today I need to be home since I'm expecting two important kitchen workers. I'm even missing a wedding for them. Tomorrow I will buy a phone Gd willing, either in Ariel, Shaar Binyamin or in Jerusalem. Please quickly write your advice and recommendations, yes, ASAP. Thanks. Only phone me if you have my home number, since, obviously my cell doesn't work. Otherwise comment here.

Unthinkable: Day Without Phone, Oops!

I must admit that I was very lucky. Somehow, my phone slipped out of my pocket yesterday as I was getting out of a neighbor's car. Part of my borderline OCD is that I check for my phone frequently, especially after leaving the house or a car etc. It's not even something I think about.

My friend and I got to Ofra, got out of the tremp, and... yes, the phone wasn't on me. We immediately called it from my friend's phone. No ringing, no vibrating, no phone.  I looked on the street we had crossed, no phone lying there waiting for me to rescue it. We didn't remember seeing anyone walking just after us who could have taken it.

Next, I called my husband and requested a few things:

• notify the kids that I'd be incommunicado for the day
• contact the neighbor (or his wife)) who had given us the ride
• contact our son who has the number of the kitchen contractor that I'd be incommunicado for the day

And then we went off to class, the senior citizen program we attend in the Ofra Girls High School, aka Ulpanat Ofra. My friend was very impressed at my calm attitude considering that I can get hysterical too easily. Luckily I still carry my camera on me and was able to photograph our activities.

Throughout the morning I did make lots more calls on my friend's phone until I knew for sure that mine was being well cared for. And about eight hours after leaving the phone in the car, I picked it up from my neighbor. 

All in all, I'm rather proud of myself for getting through the day with a smile on my face.

Fun Phone Photos

Last night on the Jerusalem lightrail I took this picture. I'm not quite sure what the app is, but it seems to be connected to facebook, photo "story." Everytime I use it it gives me different options. This is a sort of kaleidoscope view of the cabin in the train where the driver/engineer sits. IMHO, it's great. I was "focusing" on the trilingual plus icons sign asking passengers in the front seats to be quiet, since noise/talking disturbs the driver.

This morning I had taken too many pictures of the morning sky for my #morningcoffeehaiku. So, I decided to take the least interesting one and use one of the "effects" of that "story" app.

When I clicked it, I hadn't the vaguest idea what would happen. This is it!  I just couldn't resist adding the "Good morning, בוקר טוב" to it.

What do you think?

The Most Necessary Equipment in This Day and Age

my portable charger

Nowadays, when cellphones are more than just phones, a major problem is when the battery begins to run down and we're stuck without an electric outlet for charging the phone. My old cellphones could easily go a couple of days without needing to be recharged. All they did for me was to allow me phone contact with others and were also my alarm clock. But now when a "phone" is more like a laptop (portable) computer and even a library in some cases, the standard battery power is never quite enough.

That's why a portable charger, like this one (which my husband once gave me,) can be a lifesaver. I keep one fully charged with me when traveling or going to work, so that I can charge my phone wherever and whenever. I've even stuck the charging phone into a pocket, wires and all.

Last night I lent it to the people driving us from a wedding to Ariel, since they were following directions on Waze, and their phone was almost empty battery-wise. (They were in a rental and didn't have a phone charger.)

Besides the protective case and screen cover I got my phone immediately after purchase, I consider the charger the most necessary of accessories.

Just Past The Third "Birthday!"

It's hard to believe this, but my "new cell phone" has just past its third birthday, a milestone for Israeli cellphone deals.

This has never happened to me before.  My phones have always died before the 36 month initial purchase contract was up.  And now with the new laws we had to make a new contract so I'd be covered for basic things like caller identification, voicemail etc.

I was with my daughter (#1) when I bought it and it's more expensive and has more "abilities" than I would have gotten on my own.  Honestly, I've used, taken advantage, of almost none of them.  What I do like is the easy to find color and its weightlessness.

I negotiated a cheaper deal, a smaller package, and now I don't have to pay the 1/36 purchase price each month either.  So, that should save me a bit more money, G-d willing.

Now, on with my day...