Hands-Free? Yeah Right!
So usually this is all about my kids and their silly antics, but tonight I am a bit peeved. You see I live in California and as of midnight, it will be illegal to hold your cell phone to your ear and drive at the same time. How many freaking studies will it take for the idiots in charge to realize that crappy driving has more to do with talking period, rather than with holding the darn phone in your hand?
I am seriously more afraid of crashing my ~BRAND NEW MINIVAN~ while trying to figure out the damn Bluetooth than I am of crashing my car because I am holding the phone with one hand. I am pretty technologically savvy. I can figure out most computer programs, electrical products and cameras with relative ease. But the freaking Bluetooth is eluding my brain’s miniscule capabilities.
I get the dumb thing “paired,” then call myself using the house phone. I answer it and feel a bit smug that it was so easy. Then I tried to turn the Bluetooth off. I pressed and held the power button for about three seconds. I release the power button and suddenly the house phone rings. My damn cell phone is calling the house phone. CRAP!
So I hang up and try again. This time I hold the power button for about five seconds. CRAP AGAIN! Same result.
So the third time, I figure I’ll just hold the damn power button until it shuts off. After about 8 seconds the blue light starts flashing rapidly and I figure EUREKA! I figured it out. It is going to shut off. Then what happened? The damn house phone starts ringing. Just as I am about to throw the Bluetooth through the nearest window, the talking caller ID on the house phone declares that it’s my cousin, Jay, calling. {actually it said “private caller” but it was my cousin} So Jay, Aunt Susie thanks you for calling and saving the kitchen window. {Yes, we are still visiting the parental unit}
And yes, the damn thing finally shut off.
So tomorrow if you call me and after we hang up, I call you back 18 times. I’m sorry. I am just not smart enough to figure out how to turn off the Bluetooth.
I’m not the only one who’s not onboard with this crazy law. These people did actual research to prove their point.
http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/bottleneck/2008/06/what-might-the.html
http://smallbizthoughts.blogspot.com/2008/06/new-cell-phone-law-dont-be-stupid.html
fixitmommy.com 
As a fellow Californian, I hear your pain! I had to drive about 15 minutes this morning and more than once had to slap my hand because I kept reaching for my phone. I’m such a multi-tasker that I can’t just do one thing and it’s gonna get me in trouble one of these days!
ooooh, you gotta get an iPhone then! mine’s hands free and i put both ear buds in so i can talk to you and listen in ‘surround sound’ – it’s awesome!!
oh wait, this was supposed to be about *your* blog – umm, well – at least you paired it! i’m not sure i can even do something like that! 🙂
Just an update…. still hate it. I admit it’s nice to not have to hold the phone, but the volume is really low. UGH!