An Experiment

The day after we discussed the "tethered" life in my English class, I was running late for my Calc class, and forgot my cell phone on the dorm. Of course it struck me as coincidentally good timing, and I was rolling my eyes at myself. But as I thought about it, I realized it wasn't really all that important. I wouldn't need to be contacting anyone between class and work-- any of that could wait until I got back to the dorm. Sometimes I listen to music on my phone, but that's not crucial either. The only thing I was missing was a timepiece-- but even that was nice, not glancing at the time every five minutes.

So, I decided to try something for myself. Tomorrow, from when I wake up to when I go to bed, my phone will be tucked in the back of my desk drawer, and my computer will be disconnected from the internet (I would say that I'd put that away too, but all my tabs are on iTunes).

What will this mean? As a guitarist, it will mean no interruptions while I'm playing, which will be lovely. It will mean making my shopping trip without the ability to look up the bus schedule and without the ability to call a cab, or anyone for that matter. It will mean having to speak to my friends face to face to stay informed about plans. It will mean going to Saturday night's party without the ability to call or text anyone, to see where they are or otherwise. It will mean being able to focus on what's in front of me. It will mean not being able to check my email for a full 24 hours.

For one, it will force me to do any online homework before tomorrow. It will mean being able to read without my phone buzzing after three paragraphs. As a music-phile, it will mean having to create my own music.

Why? Well, to be honest, I'm really just curious. But when we talked about being alone, while not ever really being alone, I realized all the times I've been interrupted while playing, and it really does just kill the song when your phone goes off in the middle. Even if you don't answer right away, there's still that blip in the song, and your mind is really no longer in it. It's hovering over your phone, wondering what someone could possibly be saying. And in another sense, I'll be able to record without fear of being interrupted, so expect a new video post after this is done.

I'm also hoping that it'll give me a better appreciation of...well, everything. A better appreciation for my alone-time, the time I get with my guitar and my books. A better appreciation of the friends who are in front of me. More confidence in my ability to really rely on myself. And also a better appreciation for our ability to communicate across such distances. For a full day I won't be able to contact anyone back home, about the little things or the big things. It will test my memory, my nerve, and my ability to focus.

And of course now, I'm just itching to get to my guitar, for that sweet moment when I can close my door and know that no one, no one will break the sound of the strings except for me myself.

-Kal