Communications

8/13/07

I boldly went into Yodobashi Camera, a gigantic electronics store by the Sendai train station, by myself on Saturday to open up a cell phone. As many of you know, I don’t really talk much on the phone. I rarely make calls to chat and I always seem to miss the calls when people are trying to locate me. I don’t do it on purpose. It just happens.
So, why did I feel the need to have a cell phone in Japan? A place where I know literally nobody? Perhaps it’s the need to feel included. It’s a need to feel like I’m part of the JET group (the only people I really know so far) and be asked to join into activities. All kids hate being the last one to be picked for a team. Perhaps, I’m just that kid.
What pisses me off is that in order to satisfy this insecurity of mine and to connect with others, I am now spending close to 40 bucks a month on cell phone charges. This includes the 2560 yen that I’m paying for the handset (basically, the phone), the 980 yen for the “White Plan” offered by Softbank (a cell phone company), and miscellaneous charges when you call outside of the network or outside of certain hours.
Is that a price I’m willing to pay for being connected to the modern world? I’m not so sure, but I signed up!

Everywhere I go, Cameron Diaz’s face is plastered all over the walls. She is the poster girl for Softbank. She looks out at me as if she’s taunting me with a new, up-to-date phone. America sells. The ultimate pisser-offer is when I found out today that you can actually get a phone for nothing. 0 yen. Nada. No 2650 yen monthly charge for the “handset.” Where were our helpers when we needed them the most? If I had that, I wouldn’t feel as gypped. Maybe I wouldn’t even be insecure.Alright, enough complaining.

One thing makes me super happy though…I’m getting free wireless access right now in my apartment!!! Hahah…hope this lasts.