John Y’s Musings from the Middle: Relationships

Relationships are hard and take work.

It was inevitable. No relationship that begins with love at first sight is able to remain in the “honeymoon” phase forever. There’s that initial irritation (maybe an offhand comment, the way they chew their food, a quirky habit not noticed before–but always something). And then there is the first disagreement (or fight).

Maybe you work through it; maybe you don’t. But there is disappointment. And then reality sets in and you move ahead with a more realistic assessment of expectations in the relationship.

That happened yesterday between me and my new iPhone, which I bought last week.
Several times last week (Thursday during a noon meeting and Friday for a 2pm conference call), at the peak of the work day, I went to my iPhone to find it lifeless. Dead.

I didn’t say anything at first. Just changed the subject and looked the other way while lovingly recharging.

But when it died again late afternoon Friday, I snapped and said some insulting things to my iPhone. “Come on! What is it with you? Do Apple people only work 4 hours a day and don’t make phones that last longer than that?” Ouch! I took that back. But later thought “You (my iPhone) remind me of that cute little Chihuahua that Paris Hilton carries in her purse —a cute but useless accoutrement.”

Fortunately, I didn’t say that out loud.

If was Friday night, so I let it go. And we had a good time. Took some pictures. Played with some apps. Watched a video clip of Modern Family.

But today I’m wondering if the iPhone and I are going to make it. Breaking up with the Blackberry wasn’t easy. And, yes, I’m on the rebound now and perhaps not thinking straight. But I was hoping for a second phone that was more like a solid second marriage….not a fun fling to get out of my system. I’m committed to making this work, if it can. And am buying a car charger for the iPhone this morning.

The initial thrill is wearing off and I worry about being stuck with a high maintenance smart phone. I’m not ready to explore legal options of breaking the two year service contract.

But I am starting to notice other phones.