Let’s begin with denial, I am not addicted to my smart phone and other electronic devices. Now for a little reality check.

I am enjoying a wonderful week off from work and am spending it at home. Just relaxing, doing a little cooking, a little cleaning, you know. Yes I did bring my laptop home with me just in case I wanted to start revising one of our student handbooks, yes on my own time. Haven’t done it yet, but I still could. Trying to relax and reboot.

So I’m up at 6:30 a.m. and out onto the covered patio I go with my big cup of coffee and my two dogs. It’s raining here this morning and it is nice and cool outside. No better time to relax and reboot. I get about three sips of hot coffee in me and it happens, I reach for the smart phone. Hey I wonder how long it’s going to rain today, let’s check. Oh and while I have my phone in my hand, let’s see how many emails I got. Well it couldn’t hurt to check in and see what has been posted on Facebook. Wonder if my daughter has played her turn in Hanging with Friends or Matching with Friends. Before you know it, 30 minutes has gone by and what have I been doing? Exactly, messing with my smart phone. I think I may have an addiction problem, but I know I’m not alone.

Next time you go into a restaurant for a nice dinner, look around. How many people do you see looking at their phones and not at each other? A few months ago Keith and I had a date night. We went to our favorite restaurant in town, Café Alley. We ordered and were sipping on our wine when it happened. Keith was looking at his phone, checking the weather and playing a word with someone in “Words with Friends. I gently nudged Keith and said, “you know, if this was one of our first date, I be pretty ticked right now. You are looking at your phone and not at me.” We both chuckled. While I was right, this wasn’t our first date and I check my phone when we are on date nights together too. Good think we are both addicted huh?

Monday I had to take a quick trip to urgent care to get something for a sinus infection. While I’m sitting in the waiting room waiting, a young mother comes in with two rowdy boys about ages 9 and 11. She is the sick one but had to bring them with her. I watched her interaction with them. They were rambunctious boys, as most are at that age. She spoke harshly at them several times but ultimately, she disappeared into her cell phone and just let them run wild. She had zoned out with them and they knew it. How sad I thought. Her message was loud and clear, I prefer to spend time with my phone instead of visiting with the two of you.

On a recent family vacation to Destin, Florida, we all discovered that cell service there is the worst we have ever encountered. Getting a call in or out on our cell phones was next to impossible. Checking our email or Facebook next to impossible. Even when we signed onto the resorts Wi-Fi, it was awful. Is Florida trying to tell us something? Hey people, you are on vacation. Put away your electronic devices and enjoy the beautiful waters of the Florida panhandle.

Then there is text messaging. I was introduced to this new fangled technology years ago when my daughter’s cell phone bill arrived with a $110 charge for text messages. WHAT! We didn’t have a text message plan and each message cost 10 cents. OMG. I got the girl a text messaging plan. But why would anyone need to send a text message? This was the dumbest thing I ever heard of. Famous last words. I love this feature. I may need information from you, but don’t need to have a long conversation. Hey, what time do you need me to pick you up? Want to do lunch next week? What time will you be here? Did you pick up the dry cleaning? I am working late. Can we go out to dinner later? Let’s catch a movie tomorrow….. The options are endless. It is even a great way to let you hubby, significant other or children even know you love them and are thinking of them. You can send these cute little emoticons with hearts, kisses, flowers….. You know I’m addicted right? Here’s a quick public service announcement: DON’T TEXT AND DRIVE.

So the next time you are at the airport, at a restaurant, at the doctor’s office, in the checkout line at Wal-Mart or on a family vacation, look around. How many people do you see engaged with their phones and not with each other? They are addicted too.