First, here’s a reminder for everyone to jump over to eHarlequin to read more installments of my totally free short story, SURPRISE WEDDING. This is the prequel to my upcoming June Blaze, 3 SEDUCTIONS AND A WEDDING, a sexy contemporary romance. In fact, if you comment here today AND comment over at eHarlequin, you’ll be registered to win one of TEN copies of 3 SEDUCTIONS, which I will mail out this week! Don’t miss a chance to get the book early!
Go there, read, comment…then come back.
All done? Hope you liked it!
Now, it occurred to me this week that for someone who stays home what feels like 99% of the time, I’m very hard to get in touch with. Well, IF you don’t know how to reach me, that is.
#1 way to reach me: Email. I check my email about 20,000 times a day.
Unfortunately, family and friends don’t quite get that sending me an email that says, “Call me.” is probably the best way to get my attention. That way, I can call when I’m not writing, doing school with my daughter, walking the dog, going to Jazzercise, etc.
#2 way to reach me: My cell phone. This is harder as I don’t give my number out to very many people. That’s because I really do answer my phone if I can. I’m the only person at Jazzercise who can do routines while checking my Twitter feed. (Okay, I’ve never actually done that, but I have used my iPhone to look up answers to questions that my instructor might pose during class…for instance, who sings the original version of the song, “More Today Than Yesterday,” while we’re dancing to it. (Spiral Staircase…yeah, I never heard of them either, but I know all the words to their song!)
But the thing is, I actually do check my messages on my cell phone. Mainly because I use it as an alarm clock, so by the time I go to bed, I do check it…if I haven’t checked during the day.
Right now, I’m in my office. (Ha, big shocker…it’s where I am 99% of the time.) My phone is somewhere in kitchen, I think. In my purse. So if someone called my cell phone right now, I would not hear it ring.
(Oooh, there’s a contest! Guess the song that is my ringtone! Win…a copy of 3 SEDUCTIONS AND A WEDDING!)
So if someone wanted to get me right now, aside from email, the only way I’d hear you calling (did I mention I wear headphones while I’m writing…currently, I’m piping in the soundtrack to the LORD OF THE RINGS, which masks the sound of just about anything) is if you dialed my home phone.
#3.
Trouble with that is that if I’m writing or teaching, I won’t answer the phone. And if you leave me a message, chances are I won’t see it because I always forget to check my messages on my home phone because anyone who really wants me calls my home phone and if I don’t pick up, they call my cell and leave a message.
Or send an email.
Complicated, huh?
And I wonder why I never talk to anyone but my daughter all day!
But seriously, I wonder if new technology has really made us easier to reach! What’s the best way for people to get in touch with you? Is your method as complicated as mine?
By all reports, Julie Leto was a sweet child once, somewhat shy, preferring to play quietly in her room making up stories. However, being raised with three brothers in a loud, primarily Italian household did have its influences and Julie discovered her inner tough girl. That’s probably why most of her heroines kick serious butt. Writing sassy heroines has worked out, as she’s sold over forty books to four publishers featuring strong, confident women. Julie lives in Florida with her daughter, a spoiled dachshund, a haughty lynx-point Siamese and a wide range of relatives all within driving distance.
Destiny
Dirty Little Secrets
Once Upon A Valentine
Through The Night
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Oh I’ll have to check out that story :)
Well cell phone is the easiest way to reach me, but I HATE talking on the phone. Absolutely loathe it. Text works well LOL. Short & sweet Email is also effective.
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I love talking on the phone. Always have. But I just don’t have a lot of time for it anymore.
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My cell is always the best way. I definitely turn it off when I need to get away from it! It’s linked to all my emails, blog etc and can go off several times a minute so it can be a little annoying.
Your ring tone…theme song to the Good The Bad The Ugly?
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Hmmm…that’s an interesting choice. But no. However, there is something about your guess that has something in common with my ringtone. (That’s a clue.)
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I’d bet I’m the easiest Plotmonkey to reach
That said, tomorrow’s Blog will be an offshoot of this one … about technology specific technology …i-Technology. ’nuff said.
I’m reachable all day – BBM or Txt (to specific people, like Julie)
Need me? Tweet me!
Email me! Always on email. Blackberry, iPhone … and check in tomorrow for the other way!
I always check the answering machine at home. Only way I won’t is if it’s on the backup machine and I don’t realize or remember to listen for the beeps.
Facebook – I check that once a day. Not FB mail. Just my Fan Page.
So yeah, I’m the easiest techno-and other wise to find!
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LOL! Carly is the only person who instant messages me. We do it all the time.
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A link woman, makes it so much easier than searching for the book (eharlequin hates me- I type in your name and get nothing. I try to comment, and even tho I am registered it tells me I am not authorized. I have no patience!!)
When I leave home or even go out to work in the yard, I transfer my home phone to my cell phone. My truck has an integrated blue-tooth hookup so it’s always hands free. I still have to get a headphone for the RV tho since it doesn’t have that.
Most people know to text me, esp since the cell reception at work is not good due to the underground where I am and all the computer equipment. But texting always gets thru. So does facebook.
I really never get any alone time anymore. My own fault I guess.
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Ev, do you log in when you go to the eharlequin site? That might be the problem.
Cher
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ev, I had links in as well as a copy of the cover of 3 SEDUCTIONS but neither came up and I’m not sure why. I fixed the links, but the cover is still giving me a hard time. I’ll get it up after Jazzercise!
I know eHarlequin is tough to sign in to…the first time. Once you’re signed in, it’s pretty easy to go back. It seems to remember who I am at any rate. That might be because I just switched to Google Chrome and it’s very good at remembering passwords (much better than IE or Firefox.)
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Link to story: http://www.eharlequin.com/article.html?articleId=1459
I don’t have a land line, only a cell and I always have it with me; except when I forget an leave it at home on the charger! I only answer a call if I recognize the number. Figure if someone wants to reach me they will leave a voice mail. :)
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Thanks for the link, Diana. Not sure why mine didn’t work first thing this morning…probably because of something I did, I’m sure!
The problem with leaving me a voicemail is that I have to remember to CHECK voicemail. I never do on my home phone. I have no blinking lights and our phones are so old, the LCD screen is faded and I can’t read it. I need to get new ones!
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I dislike the whole “you have a cell phone, why aren’t you answering?” mentality. I don’t especially like being reachable 24/7.
Except for my kids. I love that they are a phone call away—and they know they are in trouble if they don’t answer my call/text, because that’s why I pay the bill–so I know where they are. :)
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Gillian, that’s true! I’m not always available. If I’m teaching, I’m not going to answer my phone. If I’m at Jazzercise, I don’t answer, either, unless it’s my daughter. But I do keep my phone where I can see it. I do that whenever she’s not with me. I’m a little obsessive that way. I once missed phone calls from her when I was in San Francisco. She must have called 35 times because I never don’t pick up when she’s calling. The trouble was, the restaurant was underground and I wasn’t getting a signal, despite the fact that I had the phone on the table. She was frantic. Luckily, nothing serious was wrong.
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E-mail or home phone. We have caller ID so I can see who’s calling and if I want to talk to them.
Now I need to get over to HQ and read. I missed yesterday’s installment.
Cher
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Thanks, Cher. Caller ID has changed my life.
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Don’t you just love it!
Cher
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I only have a cell phone, so it is the best way to get me. I check my email accounts(yes multiple) about 1000 times a day, and try to respond ASAP. My dad has taken up texting, so now he will text me during work hours to tell me to call him later. Oldest niece sends me text all the time to help her with papers for college(I just thought I was finished when I got my degree). Friends and family also have my work number, but usually will call me on the cell. If it goes off too many times at work, I turn it to silent, and hope I remember later to turn the ringer back on.
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We have a landline phone, with an answering machine. My family was terrible about not leaving a message, they’d just hang up and turn around and call my cell phone. I’d be running all over the house because just about the time I’d get to the phone, it would stop ringing and then my cell phone – which was always in another part of the house – would start ringing.
I’ve finally gotten everyone trained – leave a damn message!! That has helped me tremendously!
With extended family and friends, we usually communicate via e-mail or text. Everyone is so busy, that’s a much easier way for us to connect.
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Alannah, this happens to me, too, but as I want them to call my cell, I can’t complain. I just call them back!
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Don’t text me because it costs 40 cents (and hubby gets mad)…that’s how all of my sitters do it and I keep telling him it’s not my fault that these girls are texting me….email me, now that I have an iphone, I check it all of the time. Call me first on my landline (with answering machine) then my cell phone. I prefer that. And, definitely DON”T give out my cell phone number (yes, a teacher did that to a friend of mine who I did NOT give it to, still haven’t forgiven her for that). My car is a no-phone zone, so if you call, unless you are the school, I won’t answer if I am in my car.
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katie, sounds like it is time to switch to free texting!
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Your ringtone is the wedding march to put you in the mood to write about weddings. :)
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Ooh, good guess…but no. Not even close. Just a good guess because of my book!
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Email (I’m always in my email) or cell phone is the easiest way to reach me. And with the cell phone…calling or texting is fine too. I try to use Twitter but I don’t have a clue how to use it.
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Have you downloaded Tweetdeck? That helps a lot!
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the ringtone is telephone by lady ga ga (okay, I am into that song, so that’s why I put that).
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I like that song! We do it in Jazzercise.
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I do not have a cell so the only way to get me is e-mail or home phone… going to hop over and continue to read your story at eharlequin!!!
My guess to your ringtone is NEED YOU NOW by Lady Antebellum… love that song!
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Nice song…but no. No country music for me, though I do love that song.
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The easiest way to reach me is either by calling our land line phone and leaving a message on our recorder or to email me. I do have a cell phone, but always use a bluetooth with it when driving. Only certain people have my cell phone # and they always try home first. We have a cordless phone, so when we go outside in the yard, we always take it out with us.
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There you are, Cathy! I know you said you were having trouble posting.
My bluetooth has died, I think. Only a year old…or less. Time for a new one, I think.
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I wouldn’t know how to get in touch with Julie.
I don’t answer the phone unless I recognize caller ID. Best way to get my attention is email–I have a pop-up who tells me about the email and I can respond immediately if necessary. I do keep the iPhone close because I use it as my iPod, too. The Only text-messages me. Twitter also works. Usually. Mostly. Yeah. Okay. I’m always watching the feed.
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LOL, Silver. You’ve heard my phone ring…haven’t you? The song is very memorable. At least I think it is! People always comment on it…
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I love the way my cellphone looks but I HATE talking on it!! Who has time for talk, when I could be reading a book?? lol. The best way to reach me is email too….O and my house phone,,,,arrg…I cannot escape it!! My phone is usually in the opposite part of the house as compared to where I am, the only time i really use it is when I have to make an emergency cell call…b/c mom never lets me make cell calls on the house phone *sigh* mothers :)
Oh, BTW Julie, I wanna ask a favour, I’m probably going out on a limb here but whatever….I’m 16 (will be 17 in November) I absolutely LOVE writing and I think that’s why I read so much :) I’m working on a novel right now and I was wondering if u would allow me to email part of it to u, so u can tell me where I need to improve? But only if u want to…it’s you’re choice. Hope u enjoy the rest of your day :)
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Kristal! I’m so excited about your enthusiasm for writing! That’s wonderful. I wish I’d found my calling when I was your age. I was writing then, but there wasn’t a way to get in contact with other writers at all.
I’m really sorry that I can’t read your work, though. There are two big reasons: one, my agent would shoot me (legal reasons) and two, I really don’t have the time. It’s so hard with writing and homeschooling and doing promotion and critiquing work is really time-consuming. At least it is when I do it.
Besides, you don’t want me to read it. I’m a former English teacher and I’m really, really mean.
All kidding aside, I know you hang out at eHarlequin and there’s a forum there for writers. You need to join that and see if you can find critique partners. My very good friend Diana Peterfreund found her first critique partners there and she talks about it all the time. eHarlequin is such a warm community and with so many writers trying to write YA right now, I bet they’d clamor over themselves to read your work so that you would read theirs in exchange! Let me know how it works out!!!
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okay julie!! thnkx 4 the advice…..heading over to eH now———->again…lol
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I’m not hard to get a hold of as I am home a great deal of the time. If I don’t answer my land line please leave a message. My email is checked frequently during the day & evening, I do respond to messages on phone or email!
I do have a cell but seldom use it, don’t call me there unless you know I’m traveling or pet/house sitting. I think some people are so in love with technology they have made themselves hard to reach. My children are grown so I don’t need to be available 24/7 and most people really don’t have that need. My car is also a no phone zone I don’t care who is calling! When I stop I will call back so leave a message. My cell phone is turned off most of the time but I do check when I’m on a trip. 
Thanks for letting me get up on my soap box. 
Julie, did you get my email about winning Friday’s giveaway?
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I did! It’s in my inbox…I will get to it, I promise!
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I’m home most of the time—just call my landline.
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It always amazes me how many calls I seem to miss when I feel like I”m home all the time!
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Hard enough using all the options on a cell phone..now texting is driving me crazy.
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I’m not a big fan of texting, but I’ll do it if I have to. Most of the time, I find out where the person is who is texting me and then I call them!
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I’m huge on text. it’s the only way i really communicate with my friends throughout the day. i only like talking on the phone to family, otherwise i just feel awkward…nothing like an awkward phone silence. otherwise, email or facebook is the best way to contact me. i hate to admit it but im on facebook quite a bit. i usually just have it on as a constant background distraction while i’m doing homework or watching tv.
and…i’m going to go out on a limb and say your ringtone is lady gaga, bad romance
<3 J
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I love Lady Gaga…but no.
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Hi Julie,
I just wanted to come back after finally getting to eHarlequin to read your online story. The story is very good I can’t wait to see what happens next and the outcome. Great job.
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Thanks, Donna! It’s always a thrill to see the comment thread at eHarlequin get longer and longer and I’m sure the amount of hits the story gets will be impressive to the Powers that Be!
So come on, people…it’s free! Give it a try!
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I have a cell and email. I checked my email constantly. Only my close family and friends contact me via phone or text. I’m just glad that I have unlimited text messaging now because it costs 40 cents incoming and outgoing message whether I read it or not. I especially hate when I get junk/scam text. I tend to reply faster via email than talking on the phone.
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I went with unlimited text, too. With my nephews and my daughter, it’s really the best way to communicate.
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I”m home most of the week so home phone is what I use or can be reached…
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I hear you!
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I hate to talk on the phone and last month my min usage was 32 min.
Sometime.when family from out of state call, I can go up to 2 hours. 
The best way to reach me is by e-mail at home or work. My family know not to call unless it’s important because I am busy reading author blogs.
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Your ring tone is “I’m Yours” by Jason Mraz
Cher
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I do like that song a lot, but no.
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How about ‘A Mother’s Love’ or ‘Butterfly Kisses’?
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Aw…pretty songs. Very me. But no. Think…cinematically.
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Cell phone and email are the best ways to reach me…when I want to be reached!
Julie–I’m current on the story now. I’m enjoying it, but poor Coop! How much patience does a guy need to have?
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Thanks for catching up on the story! This is probably the first story I’ve written that will really put my characters through an emotional ringer. But it does have a happy ending!
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Hmm, let’s see….if I’m reachable on my home phone, it’s my BB (with every possible blog, email, etc. ‘pushing’ to it) or my office phone….I’m never NOT reachable, even in the car. If I don’t answer it’s a sign to friends and family I’m either in a meeting, in the shower, or asleep! Terrible, but true….
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Oh! And my ringtone is Tik Tok by Ke$sha….because I have a really awful fascination with time and the name hooked me even more than the beat of the song.
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I don’t think I know that song…will have to look it up on iTunes.
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Julie, love the free read! Thanks for the oportunity to win 3 WEDDINGS ! (cross my fingers)
Your ring tone is from LORD OF THE RINGS!…which song/piece…hmmm…don’t know the name but how about the Elf Princess’ song (played by Liv Tyler, don’t remember character’s name)…
or the one from #3 (I think) where young Pip sings this very moving lyrical song to the Steward (Gondor, I think?) who was going crazy and sends his young son off to battle/suicide mission while he hogs himself on meat. Pip’s voice is so tender and lilting and sad while juices of the meat run down the Steward’s face.
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Oooh, so close! (If no one guesses it by tomorrow, you’ll win by default!)
I did mention that I’m listening to that soundtrack, but no, it’s not my ringtone. I must confess I’ve never actually seen the Lord of the Rings movies. I’ve seen parts…pretty much anything with Liv Tyler (love, love, LOVE her) and Viggo Mortensen…because, well, he’s hot. But I got way too confused by the whole thing. I need to watch it with someone who knows the story really well and can explain what’s going on.
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GADS*** How could you not have seen the movie???? Yet you love the soundtrack???
It really is a great…fantastic…stupendous movie to watch even if you get confused with the different characters. I never read the books but absolutely LOVED the movie. Isn’t Liv great?? And Vigo **sigh**…
Ok, so I got the movie but not the song…hmmm…The only thing I could think of that would make a good ringtone is the Orks’ stomping and marching…Then there’s also the opening title song too!
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I just want to say I am enjoying Surprise Wedding. It’s different to read about a wedding in the beginning of the story. Usually a wedding is the end result of the story HEA. I like it.
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FYI I found out that the actor who played Pip decided to sing that song, I think it was an Irish folksong. The Director allowed him to sing accapella and to his credit it was beautiful!
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I really like the story Julie. Can’t wait for more. Is your ring tone “Get me to the church on time” like in your 3 weddings title? So I’m not the only one that’s hard to get a hold of. Of course my cell phone sits in a metal file cabinet all day while I teach and of course one can never receive personal phone calls in one’s classroom. Soooo, I too check my email to see if my kids are trying to get ahold of mom!
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Back when I was teaching, cell phones were too new to be an issue. I had one, but I’m pretty sure I didn’t even take it out of my car. None of my students had them…that’s how long ago it was!
I’m glad you’re enjoying the story!
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Best way to reach me is by e-mail or my landline at home. I like not being reachable at all times. I check my e-mail constantly and the phone has an answering machine. Can’t wait for the next chapter of your story, Julie!:)
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Slumdog Millionaire- Mausam & Escape
Avatar- I See You
Pretty Woman Roy Orbison
“Flashdance… What a Feeling”
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good point. there’s tons of technology for communication and I do use it cuz I’m not a luddite but I can be when I need to be. If I need downtime from too much overwhelming me and too many people calling me just because they can (like friends who call my cell on their way home from work), that’s when I take a break and go “offline” for a couple days. I don’t check email,answer my cell, or pretty much anything unless it’s someone actually at my door or a snail mail received. I do only the old fashioned stuff that my grandparents would do. And life goes slower, and I get a break. It works for me.
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as for the ringone, I’ve no clue! I’m a horrible guesser
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As for your ringtone, how about “Out of the West” from Lord of the Rings? I thought that one might match up to the western theme from “The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly”. If not that, then how about the theme song from “Bridge Over the River Quai”? That one has whistling in common with “The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly”. I thought it was worth a guess at least.
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As for being accessible, I prefer email. I can check that when I’m not on eHarlequin and while waiting for computer runs in my actual paying job (which I sadly neglect far too much — work from home, flexible hours).
However, I’m pretty easy to reach. I have a landline phone, which I will normally answer, even though I often regret it, especially around political primary time like now. Ugh!
I hate those calls, especially the computerized ones where the person can’t take his/her time to speak to me personally, but I’m supposed to take my time to listen. No, thanks!
I also have a cell phone, which I normally answer (though my DD would tell you otherwise ‘cuz she often happens to call when my battery is dead or when I’m in heavy traffic or something). I have an answering machine to get voicemails, and I send and receive a large number of text messages. I can do IM, but I usually don’t because that ties me to responding in a particular time frame, like the phone. I only use that when I have an urgent message and want to get an immediate response to know that it’s been received (or I use the phone).
I have a Facebook and a Twitter account, but I rarely use them. Facebook is a bit overwhelming. With so many wall posts from everyone I know on FB, many of them get past me. I find that many of them are really trivial mind dumps, not particularly geared to me. So, I tend to check in randomly to see friends’ photos and look for messages specifically to me or occasionally to post something of personal importance. As for Twitter, I think I’ve only checked it twice because I am not particularly interested in what everyone on earth is thinking every moment of every day.
Despite having most of the technical gadgets, I do not feel compelled to answer my door any time someone knocks on it or rings the bell, nor do I feel absolutely compelled to answer the phone just because it’s ringing, much to my daughter’s chagrin. Whenever she hears someone at the door or the phone ringing, she’s frantic until I respond. As I said, I usually do, but if I need to focus elsewhere, I figure I pay for the phone for my convenience. And unless I’ve invited someone to my house, I only need to open the door if I want to see whoever has come knocking.
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Whew, I’m glad I asked about the contest over on eharl, Julie! I didn’t want to miss the chance of entering. And as soon as I got over here I saw another one…lol
As for getting in touch…I tend to hate being in touch with people hahaha. I have maybe three that I will answer the phone for (mom, dad, bro). Otherwise, I want to know in advance what we will be talking about, so I screen and listen to their VM in case they want something. That way I don’t have to decide on the spot. So, I also tend to like the time allowing methods like email. I HATE TEXTING THOUGH. I kind of wish it had never been created or that people didn’t begin using it as a primary form of communication. I do not care to have conversations using a tiny keyboard and taking an hour to say what would have taken us 3 minutes to say out loud.
And JV, your post reminds me…after college I lived alone in Asheville, NC. Not in the city though, in a nice little quiet area (nothing scary about it)…but my social life being what it was, I knew that absolutely no one I knew would ever be just dropping by my apartment (sad but true). I NEVER opened my door for anyone that knocked. I wouldn’t even ask who it was through the door! lol I just pretended I wasn’t home. Man, I can’t even imagine living in an ACTUAL city, if I was that afraid of people in a cool little town like A-ville.
Wow, this entire post has made me understand why I am single. hahaha I apparently am a recluse that discourages any and all social interaction. Who knew?!
Katie