[MR] cell phones at events

[Carolle Cox]

Recently, I spent an entire summer and autumn waiting on pins and needles
for the go-ahead for brain surgery.  I was increasingly unwell, and attended
fewer and fewer events as a result, but that cell phone lived in my little
bag hung from my belt everywhere I went, including into Court.  I got into
trouble once when the Queen didn't see it! Naturally, the call came while I
was at home so all that care wasn't needed at events, but I really identify
with 'both sides' in this discussion.  

And that makes it hard.  My surgery call DOES equate to someone's
three-year-old calling from The Ex's house to babble in many minds (mine
included).  It DOES equate to an EMS worker who needs to 'drop and run' with
a call.  But it does not equate to a friend calling just to chat.  Since I
couldn't screen my calls any better than to let them come through and then
decide to answer or not, I felt badly every time the idiot thing went off at
an event.  But what can one do? 

Personally, I'd have clocked that transplant patient if he didn't answer
every single call! What if one was someone wishing him well?  When you're
about to step into a life/death experience, even that sort of call can
qualify as 'emergency'.  

And, when there aren't enough radios (those are hateful, too!)to run an
event, I've resorted to cell phones many times.  At Gulf War, we have a
'station' where our staff can plug their cellphones in to recharge, we use
them so much.  I also used them the same way our (then) Police Department
did - a call for someone on the radio, with the message "call me" to discuss
sensitive information.  Please don't take them from us!

I suppose this is why there is still no 'hard and fast farspeaker rule' in
the SCA.  If we ever figure out where and how much the mundane world can
intrude on our events, we can make that rule.  

I guess the three-call guy irritated a few folks.  Perhaps it would be best
for one of his/her peers to approach him/her for a quiet discussion of the
use of modern toys?

Gerita

Carolle Cox
 
To know what is right and not do it is the worst cowardice - Confucius
 
Japanese Chin Rescue and Care Volunteer
www.japanesechinrescue.org
Pituitary Disease Support Group Owner
www.groups.yahoo.com/PituitaryDiseaseSupport
Help For Maryland Animals volunteer
www.groups.yahoo.com/helpformarylandanimals
Md/WVa Transport Group Volunteer
www.groups.yahoo.com/MdWVtransportrescue
MidAtlantic K9 Rescue Volunteer
www.groups.yahoo.com/group/MidAtlanticK9Rescue
NorthEast Regional Dog Rescue Volunteer
www.groups.yahoo.com/group/NERegionalDogRescue
MORescue Volunteer
www.groups.yahoo.com/group/MORescue
 
 
 
 
 
Please do not cross-post or forward my messages without specific permission.
Thank you.

Internal Virus Database is out-of-date.
Checked by AVG Free Edition. 
Version: 7.5.503 / Virus Database: 269.15.11/1093 - Release Date: 10/25/2007
5:38 PM