AJC > Sandy Springs > Blog > Archives > 2006 > January > 17 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USWhen you put your cell phone in the wash, can you call home again?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Thomas Wolfe said we can’t go home.
F. Scott Fitzgerald told us there are no second acts in American life.
And you never get a second chance to make a first impression.
I am happy to report, however, not all situations are so hopeless. For example, I’ve found out that a cell phone can take a swim in the washing machine and be brought back to life.
The small things in my life work best when I do certain things the exact same way every day. Like, if I put my keys and wallet in the red leather box atop my cigar humidor every night and I never have to turn the house inside out at 5:15 in the morning, trying to leave for work.
And if I place my cell phone in the same place in the car while motoring from one place to another, I remember to bring it into the house and plug it into the charger, where it will be waiting for me in the morning.
A couple of days before Christmas I broke my routine. Coming home from a Hawks game I left the phone in my pocket. Out of my routine, I walked past the charger, dropped off my wallet and keys, and threw my slacks into the laundry.
The next day - no phone. I checked to see if it spent the night with the wallet - no phone. I searched the car - no phone. I called myself from the land line while walking through the house, listening for the ring - no phone.
I then got that creeping sick feeling one gets when you start to realize you’ve really screwed up. It starts small and grows like bacteria in your psyche. Surely, I didn’t leave it in my slacks, which were now swimming in warm water and Tide.
There are few sensations as helpless and gut-wrenching as reaching into a tub of soapy water and having your fingers find what you know to be your cell phone.
I pulled it out and water ran out of it like cars you see pulled out of the lake on C.S.I.
Needless to say it was no longer working.
I stood there with water running on to my shoes and I may have said three or four curse words, possibly more. I felt briefly like Patrick Swayze did in “Ghost,â€? where he comes to terms with the fact that he’s really dead, but not wanting to believe it.
The first thing I did was call my provider, hoping I’d bought the insurance that covers loss, theft, defects and epic stupidity. I had not, and to her credit the operator taking my call did not laugh when I told her what happened.
I went to the store and found out the phone that had been FREE!!!! when I signed up was going to cost $175.00 to replace - a pretty big chunk of change right at Christmas. While I stood there the little sucker briefly came to life - buzzing in my hand and dripping a few more drops.
I went home to ponder my next move. I was defeated and shamed - a man without his phone. Forget about not being about to go home again - I couldn’t phone home.
Then the hard reality hit. Much of my life was in that phone. My ringtones. Pictures of the kids. And most importantly (sorry kids), my phone numbers. All 110 contacts gone forever. Drowned like Leonardo DiCaprio in “Titanic,â€? though by the end of that movie I was rooting for ol’ Leo to sink like a stone.
I had lost my mobile link to mankind, not to mention some appointments, and some phone numbers that would be very hard to replace.
It began to sink in how much I had come to depend on having my little cellular friend. I was one of those people who had essentially transitioned from land line to wireless. I would no more leave home without it than I would walk out with only one shoe.
I didn’t just want my phone back - I needed it.
Then - a glimmer of hope. A friend suggested the following, which I’m sure is not sanctioned, endorsed or recommended by those who make cell phones - and want to sell new ones to morons like me — but desperate times call for desperate measures:
I removed the battery and SIM chip and placed the phone in the oven at 150 degrees for three hours. That is enough heat to dry the moisture out of the phone, without melting anything, I was told. And if it did melt anything, how much worse off could I be?
It was a little like giving a dying goat a pair of tap shoes - couldn’t hurt. Happily, the phone baked nicely and now is behaving just fine. The damage to my ego is also healing. But questions linger:
What does it say about modern society that such small device can hold one hostage?
Should one be so tethered to such gadgetry?
Is this the dawning of a new age in communications or the beginning of the end?
Too much for a guy who washes his cell phone to answer. But at least I can call smarter people and find out.
Comments
Commenting is now closed for this entry.
By John
January 17, 2006 07:14 AM | Link to this
While I sympathize, it is a bit pathetic that a grown man should be so discombobulated over mistreating his cellphone. I’m no Luddite, but I’ve never kept a cellphone for any other reason than emergencies or to have around when I’m otherwise hard to find. You’ll never find me prattling obnoxiously on my phone in a restaurant, or in line at the movies (I hate that), or at the bank, and very rarely while driving the car. People got along just fine before cellphones came along, and if we would think of them as just tools, and not lifestyle defining shackles, we’d all be better off.
By LD
January 17, 2006 07:52 AM | Link to this
Just last week we cancelled our home phone service and are now relying strictly on our cell phones. The thought of losing one of these little electronic wonders has me scrambling around several times a day making sure I have it with me at all times. In the mornings when I send my husband off to work with the usual kiss and have a good day, no more of that, it’s where is your phone?
By Ron
January 17, 2006 08:22 AM | Link to this
RE: Cell Phone I just finished listening to a sound bite for a new book by Stephen King called “Cell”. It seems that his characters are getting messages to kill through their cell phones. Perhaps that was whta was happening to the young women in northern Virgina who was robbing banks while on her cell. I hope that this is not the vision I have to look forward to as I experience late boomerdom.
By Karin
January 17, 2006 08:44 AM | Link to this
At least I know I’m not the only one who has done this. I “washed” and BLEACHED my phone Sunday. Looking up on the phone company’s web page, there was a link to liquid damage. I immediately clicked, hoping it would have a few suggestions for resuscitation…I would gladly have performed mouth-to-mouth. However, there was just a note that stated the obvious: not covered by the warranty. They don’t cover stupidity.
I had not thought about placing in the oven, but I did take it apart (many pieces) and let it dry. Tried helping it along with a hair dryer. There was a glimmer of activity by evening, I know it was teasing me - little flashes of light, but not sufficient. I gave it many opportunities during the evening, but I had to finally admit it was gone (similar to your Patrick Swayze reference.) So, dredging up my children’s “cast-offs”, I was able to put my SIM card in and at least have a connection. Monday morning I just had to give it one more try, and the washed phone worked! I was ecstatic.
The “cast-off” has been boxed away for future back-up, although I can’t possibly imagine ever needing it. I hope I never have to try your oven solution, but thanks for the info.
Your description of the gut-wrenching sensation was on the money. I know exactly how your felt! (Plus, I had the “mother-fear” of having to ‘fess up to the kids!)
By Robin
January 17, 2006 09:01 AM | Link to this
Alas, I too have washed my cell phone. Unfortunately, I did not try to “bake” the phone in the oven. I ended up getting a new phone. I did have the insurance coverage so it cost me $50.00 to replace it, instead of $175.00. Thanks for the info ……..If I ever do this again, I will try to “bake” it before giving up all hope!
By Swangirl
January 17, 2006 09:59 AM | Link to this
I, too, have drowned my cell phone! But not in the washer. Back in November, a bottle of water in my tote bag was not properly sealed and my phone went for a swim. I fished it out within a minute or two but the damage was done. I, too, thought it was a goner.
My panic was more borne by the fact that I didn’t want to spend the money to replace it. I didn’t buy the insurance either. However, my very creative husband took it apart that evening and left it under a fan to try out. By the next day, it was back in working order.
If I didn’t feel compelled to carry a cellphone for emergency reasons, I wouldn’t even own one. Mine doesn’t even take pictures, so my nieces consider it an antique.
Yesterday, I saw about three near traffic accidents caused by drivers too distracted by talking on his/her cell phone. There are many days I wish folks did not consider their cell phone to be so vital to their every waking moment. Yes, the cellphone is a useful item to have. But as you learned, I think we can get a bit overdependent on them.
By Lmay
January 17, 2006 10:15 AM | Link to this
Its amazing to me that when something new comes along we just lose our grip on reality. Did it ever occur to you to write the phone numbers in a “telephone directory”, you know those little books we keep by our phones with names, numbers and addresses in them, just in case of an emergency. Kinda like keeping candles and a flashlight (with batteries in it), just in case the electricty goes off. We are getting too caught up in a society of convienence and if not careful we will fall victim to all the pitfalls that go with it. I like having my cell phone for emergencies, or to chat if I am stuck in traffic for a long long period of time. However, I also like the quiet of being alone in the car for a while so I can think. My kids think they will die if they don’t have a cell phone. Two are in colleg and one is in high school. But I remember the good ole days of middle school, which were just a few years ago, and they didn’t have a cell phone. My husband even says well they need to be able to call home, we need to know where they are, etc….you’ve heard it all, well, they didn’t have one then and did just fine. Modern convienences are great, but lets be careful not to let them become greater than the manufacturer or the consumer. Just a thought,But I still like camping in a tent with sleeping bag, and no phones, no T.V.’s, no radio, no dishwasher, vaccuum or any other modern convienence, and that includes the bathroom…Just nature.
By tam
January 17, 2006 10:38 AM | Link to this
Dropped in the toilet here…yep that’s right. Then to top it off I washed it in the sink just in case of germs, however, the toilet was clean at the time. It dried enough to make and recieve calls but the display died completely. I too had the insurance so it only cost 50 bucks. To Karen, just tell them you lost it or take in to them in about 50 pieces and they will replace it. The cell phone co’s rip us off with their contracts every time we upgrade so give them a dose when you get the chance. I only hope legislature passes the new law eliminating contracts with these mobster cell phone providers.
By Jack
January 17, 2006 11:21 AM | Link to this
Nokia, I highly recommend Nokia phones. While in Kuwait, I washed mine through two complete washing cycles due to starting the washing of a load, then deciding that I needed to add some more items when the cycle was almost over. Dropping the items into the washing machine, I cranked the dial back to the start of the cycle. You can imagine my dismay when I found my very, very expensive telephone (no free phones from Kuwaiti service providers)in the washing machine. However, after three days of drying with a hair dryer, it was good as new, albeit a bit scratched from the drum. Later I broke the screen and had it repaired at the MTC-Vodafone headquarters building. When the technician brought the repaired phone out to me, he asked incredously, “Did you know that it had water damage?”
By Van
January 17, 2006 11:29 AM | Link to this
Add me to the list of those of us who have washed their mobile phone. Of course, I didn’t realize it until I had also sent the laundry through the dryer as well. I didn’t have stupidity insurance either, and ended up spending $250 to replace it. Wish I had known to try the oven recovery method….
By John
January 17, 2006 02:58 PM | Link to this
I dropped my Motorola in the toilet and it cost me $50.00 to get it replaced through insurance. Nokia phones can take a beating and I would recomend them all day long even though I have a Razor atm.
By Mike
January 17, 2006 03:03 PM | Link to this
I can’t think of a much better place for most cell phones AND their users than the toilet. With each day more and more people like me are growing incresingly annoyed with you phone heads. I won’t tolerate people in line holding me up until they finish a conversation, I’ll get in front of you. Try to stop me, I’m 6’4 and 240 lbs. Come on, just try me. I won’t let you in front of me in traffic if you’re yaking on your phone. try to run my Ford 250 off the road, the one with the two NRA stickers on the back. Just try me. You people are so insecure you’re afraid to be alone with your own thoughts for fifteen minutes, instead you have to babble and chatter. Grow up you idiots, you’re not thirteen year old kids, you’re adults. At one time there was semblance (albeit misguided)of prestige to owning a cell phone. Now everyone catching the bus on Buford Avenue has one. I hope there is something to the rumor that xxx amount of hours on the cell phone causes brain tumors. What a nice world we’d be in, a world where all the mindless wonders who yak on the phobe all day are dead and it’s just us left. Hey, I can dream can’t I?
By fk
January 17, 2006 05:08 PM | Link to this
I’ve not washed my cell phone. However, I do agree that it’s pretty amazing how quickly we become dependent on technology, without ever being aware of it. Technology really does change the way we look at things…the simple things.
Our vacuum needed to be repaired. The vacuum is the saving grace in our house when either my husband or son is in trouble with me. So when it suddenly stopped working while my son was operating it, my husband decided that getting it fixed was a priority. Smart man.
As I left for work, my husband was going to call the vacuum guy. He had the day off. Unfortunately, the sticker had come off the machine. So, my husband searched for the vacuum company on the internet and found the site. For some reason, he could not advance on the site to the page where the service centers were listed. Hence, he was at a standstill.
The next day, my day off, I dropped the vacuum at the repair shop. My husband wanted to know how I found the place. Did I find it on the website? No, silly, I looked it up in the phone book!
By Becca
January 17, 2006 05:17 PM | Link to this
Get a Nokia. I threw mine out the window on I-285, it still worked fine. I get fed up with people calling constantly and get rid of my phone in various manners rather often but I’ve had it FOREVER and it still works, thru lake dippings, highway temper tantrums and even a trip thru the dishwasher (don’t ask). Nokia. they last. And don’t be “shackled” it’s JUST A PHONE!!!!!
By Stephanie
January 17, 2006 05:21 PM | Link to this
Actually, the same thing happened to me, but instead of baking my phone in the oven, I just gave ut a few days to dry out! It was also suggested that if it were to happen again, I should consider using a blow dryer. Sounds to me that the “oven idea” was a bit over the top—even dangerous!
By Sue
January 18, 2006 07:53 AM | Link to this
Okay, I dont check my kids pockets when I do laundry and I should have been suspicious when something was knocking in the dryer but, ….i figured it was a rock. However, my LG phone came out and worked except the battery. I ordered a new battery and it still is as good as ever. My lifeguard daughter also dropped one in the pool from the lifeguard stand but, it died instantly. No sympathy from the sales people either. Yeah those free phones are very expensive but check ebay and turned in phones at the sales outlets….sometimes you can get a deal!
By CM
January 18, 2006 10:16 AM | Link to this
In reference to Mike’s message. Whats up? Why so angry?
By Richard
January 18, 2006 10:29 AM | Link to this
My cell was clipped to my belt and let’s just say it got backed into the toilet. A few minutes blow drying and setting in direct sunlight and it’s good to go, so to speak.
By tam
January 18, 2006 10:36 AM | Link to this
Mike, why don’t you just park your big bad 250 and get a horse & buggy. Technology seems to irritate you so why take advantage of any of it?
By RP
January 19, 2006 05:40 AM | Link to this
As an employee of a leading wireless provider, and not just any employee—a technical support employee, I say this everyday—Cell phones NEVER cease to amaze me! Although, I am almost positive I will not share this home remedy with our customers. As I say alot of things everyday, I will also share this: Wireless phones, availability, and overall performance are not 100% guaranteed. Although, I do depend on mine as much as the next guy (girl), I do not even have a landline, but I know that I can not depend on my wireless phone completely. But to answer your question—it’s both a dawning of a new age in technology as well as a the begining of the end…they are just so darn convenient! I use mine for everything from making a phone call to checking my mail when not having my laptop close by! I also use it to entertain myself when waiting in lines or what have you. With just a few pressing of buttons, I have my favorite game at my fingertips…maybe the best marketing technique yet!
ATTENTION: PURCHASE INSURANCE FOR YOUR PHONE!!!
By James
January 19, 2006 04:25 PM | Link to this
I’m not defending Mikes comments but we do need to be aware that we, and I say we, can be very annoying talking loud on our phones. Last week-end I was at the movies and some guys phone went off three times. Some big guy behind me went over, took the phone from the guy, stomped it on the ground and dared the man to do anything. He did do something, he ran. Manners people, manners.
By Lyrazel
January 20, 2006 08:52 AM | Link to this
Get a life.
By Amanda
January 20, 2006 12:01 PM | Link to this
I have a comment about cell phone insurance. Most plans are at least $3/month and some are as much as $6 or $7/month. I’ve had a cell phone for almost 10 years now. Add that up - if I had cell insurance, I would have paid anywhere from $360-840 out of pocket - and I have never lost or broken a single phone. Even if I had lost a few phones over the years, I would have had to lose at least 4 (or more, depending on the model) phones to actually get a cost benefit from this service, especially after paying a $50 deductible when I do need to use the plan. It all sounds like a good thing in theory, and I know that it may help with cash flow if you only have to come up with $50 when you lose your phone, but in reality you’re paying for the entire phone anyway, just on a monthly basis.