There's no escaping cell phones

After more than six months of joyous, wondrous peace, I decided to torture myself again.

I replaced my cell phone.

My contract with the cell phone service provider, which I won't identify except to say provided precious little reception in Virginia City, where I live, ended in December and I canceled the service I was paying for but not really getting.

I had planned on getting a new phone right away, but got busy with my job, husband and volunteerism, and one thing led to another and I had no cell phone for months.

My editor couldn't reach me unless I was at home. My husband couldn't reach me unless I was at home or work. My commute to work was ring-free, safer (for me and other drivers) and oh, so peaceful.

My sources couldn't reach me, I couldn't be contacted to rush to a breaking story and I couldn't do any work while I was supposed to be doing something else, like driving, sleeping, or partying.

Speaking of which, my bartender couldn't call about my tab.

But all good things must come to an end eventually, especially if you realize your work suffers if you can't communicate and you are in the communication business. As much as I hate it, the cell phone is a necessity for a reporter.

Rebelling against the cell phone is not new for me. I didn't get my first cell phone until 2003 or so. I didn't want someone to be able to contact me no matter where I was.

Who wants to work 24/7?

But then I became a Realtor, and had to be available to clients when they wanted me, so I broke down and got one. I guess any profession where you're not in the same place all day such as a home or office requires use of a cell phone. We trade tranquility for mobility, to keep the economy going.

Not all my rebellion is gone, though. I won't use the phone while driving, though I'll pull off the road if there's a place to do so. I won't get a hands-free setup either, because if I do, I'll use it more. I think a cell phone is a distraction for drivers whether or not it ties up one hand, because you are still concentrating on your conversation and not the road. There is no call important enough for me risk getting killed or killing someone else over. They can get back to me.

I haven't set up my voice mail yet, so if you call and I don't answer, call back. I'll get to it, one of these days.

I don't want to text-message either. Text-messaging is for kids and adults that can't spell.

But I have the phone now and the service provider has a cell tower in Virginia City, so I can use it in any bar in town - once I pay my tabs.

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All Comstock-area children ages 5 to 15 can take part in Silver City's free summer youth program on Mondays and Tuesdays.

According to Quest Lakes, the program includes free lunches, snacks, and activities. Children who live in towns near Silver City, such as Mound House, Dayton, and Virginia City, are welcome to attend, as long as their parents, other adult relatives or guardians can stay and assist with activities.

On Monday, June 23, Nevada Shakespeare Company will offer an acting workshop for ages 5-15, and elementary school teacher Diane Kotik will offer a clay mask making art project. On Tuesday, June 24, Theresa Simmons teaches yoga for ages 5-15, and there will be a field trip to the Virginia City Pool in the afternoon. (Parents must accompany their children to the pool, but pool tickets for children are paid for by the program).

The rest of the summer will include field trips to Nevada Museum of Art, Comstock Historic Center, and Shakespeare at Sand Harbor, cooking classes, basketball and soccer clinics, as well as workshops by visiting artists and musicians. Please call Quest Lakes at 847-0742 for directions and further details. This program is sponsored by Silver City Task Force, Healthy Communities Coalition, and Lyon Recreation.