Can a BlackBerry Simplify Your Life

By Allison Berman
February 24, 2009

I can't believe I am giving up my flip phone. Why would someone who hates having a cell get a BlackBerry? I truly believe if I have access to emails when I am out, then when I am home with my family, I can actually be home with my family - not stuck in my studio answering emails.

My older daughter escorted me to the Verizon store in Middletown. She is only 5 but she knows more about BlackBerrys than I do from watching my husband on his for years.

After deciding on the silver curve I addressed my reckless phone care. I shove my phone into the back pocket of my jeans because I can feel it vibrate, and I never notice blaring music. The salesman, Andrew found a dark bluish grey "hard cover" to protect the shell and put some piece of protective plastic over the face. My husband spends his days on and off construction sites and yet I am the one who is hard on a phone?! Maybe giving up my flip phone isn't a good idea.

I am not a big fan of change, so I had to ask what happens if I want my old phone back. I have 30 days, and I'll have to pay a $35 re-stocking fee but Nicole, their BlackBerry guru, predicts it takes me less than a week to fall in love with my BlackBerry.

We'll see. I'm very concerned about "phantom dialing" - when your keypad sort of dials someone by itself. I keep envisioning bothering my customers or my editor, or editors that I am pitching to syndicate my column. Suffice it to say, it's not exactly the professional image I am trying to portray.

I used to phantom dial all the time before I got a flip phone. And my sister-in-law is such a huge offender with her blackberry that I rarely answer calls from her cell. She leaves voicemails chatting away with friends while her phone rattles around her pocketbook. (Apparently that's where most normal women carry their phones). To assuage my concerns, Andrew patiently demonstrated how easy it is to lock the keypad so if I sit on my phone (which he doesn't recommend) it won't phantom dial anyone, phew.

It took about an hour to pick out the BlackBerry and the plan, set up my 2 email accounts and transfer contacts from my old cell. The customer service was great but unfortunately my 5 year olds' behavior was not, but I will save that story for another time.

Speaking of my daughter, she just walked in and saw my new BlackBerry on my desk. "Momma, do you love it?" she asked. I told her so far so good. Her real reason for coming into my studio was to invite me to a tea party in the game room. The only work I have left for today is emails, so I happily accepted. I'm just bringing my new blackberry; maybe it will make my life easier.

Allison Berman, an artist and mother of two, handpaints custom home accessories for interior designers and private customers. She works out of her home studio in Warwick, NY. See her collection at www.withlovealib.com. She can be reached at ali@withlovealib.com. Her column appears Tuesdays.