When I heard the "clunk" on the porch today, I assumed the wind had blown something over yet again. I discovered, however, that it was actually the sound of the new phone book being delivered.
That still feels like kind of a big deal, even though I no longer immediately flip to the page where I can see my name in print. (I'll never be a celebrity, so for me it's almost like 15 seconds of my 15 minutes of fame.) We actually get books from two different providers. This is the smaller of the two, so it's more convenient to store in the car or in a tiny nook. Perhaps it's the librarian in my family DNA that gives me a bit of a rush to have so much information at my fingertips. I can look up a phone number for an acquaintance or an address for a business. Local ZIP codes and area codes are there, too, just in case you need to double check one.
Then I wondered, when was the last time I opened the previous edition? Maybe, just maybe, I was trying to get ideas for a different place to eat. Perhaps I looked for a store ad to find out their hours. But realistically, I must admit that I don't use it as often as I used to. Once folks chose to have their numbers "unlisted" or "non-published," it became harder to find the number you needed. Now, of course, many households have only cell phones and no landline so they aren't even included. I also wonder why I ever had to look up a person's number in the first place. If I expect to be calling someone, I'll just ask for the number. If I don't have it, I probably don't need to call them anyway. Besides all that, I must admit that when I want to find that information, I'm more likely to just bring up a search engine on my computer or phone. Is it possible that the printed phone book of our youth has become "old-fashioned"? But we need them for youngsters to sit on to reach the dining room table! (Yes, I remember it being done that way.)
Naturally, that isn't the only thing that could become just a quaint reminder of the past. For several years I've used an electronic calendar. I can have the page open when I'm in front of my computer or have reminders sent right to my phone. I'm still not quite ready, though, to completely ditch something I can actually hold in my hand to flip the pages. We can write things down using different colors of ink or simply "pencil you in." I just hate the thought of being tied to an electronic device for everything. I feel more secure having a real-life record of important (and some not-so-important) dates and events. As I type this, though, I realize that I've long since abandoned my "real" address book. My contacts are stored in various places where I can view them as needed...as long as I have electricity or a wi-fi connection. (That was another nice thing about the old phone book. There was always room inside the cover to jot down your most-used numbers so you didn't have to look them up every single time.)
Don't get me wrong. I love that I have access to so much information with just a few clicks. I can update an address or appointment with a few keystrokes rather than a bottle of Wite-Out. Many tasks have been made so much easier that we can hardly remember how we managed before. But it still makes me nostalgic (as many things do) for how things were done "back in my day." Library lovers lamented the loss of the traditional card catalog at their favorite home for books. Sure, a computer is faster, but it's just not the same. Greeting cards seem to continue to sell well, but in many cases they've been replaced by text messages or posts on social media. (I'm guilty of that, surely. I think I'm more likely to use cards for more serious occasions and big holidays.) I still clip some coupons from the Sunday newspaper (yes, I still read a printed paper), but I also find savings with phone apps or by loading them onto a supermarket loyalty card. I think I have a road atlas in the car, but I'll get directions online or use GPS if I'm looking for a route. (Could anyone successfully fold a road map, anyway?) I use an online dictionary on a regular basis, but I also own several hardcover editions. There's something a little awe-inspiring about seeing all those words, many of which I don't know and may never use. Last month I baked an apple crisp from a recipe in an email newsletter (which I printed out). Last week, though, I made a soup I found while browsing the old Betty Crocker. Sure, I can find thousands of recipes online, but real cookbooks make a kitchen feel more homey. And don't even try to make me give up my Post-it Notes, which are conveniently located in every room in the house.
Online resources and storage can certainly be more efficient and don't use nearly as much paper as they did in their original formats. But I feel more connected to my information if I can actually touch it once in awhile. I'm not ready to transition completely away from that. So if you ever want to know the date of an upcoming event or need to find a phone number, I'll be happy to look it up for you.
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