Talking Tool to People Pleaser

Last night, I gave a friend that lives states away my landline number, and she called immediately. It was really fun talking to them, and there's something about using a phone from fifty (or more) years ago. It's pretty wild that landlines were a household staple not even that long ago. Now, everyone you see has a smartphone, so why pay for a landline when you practically need a smartphone in modern civilization?

I don't know, man. Putting down my phone in public and people watching is so depressing. The second someone feels an itch of boredom, all their attention pours straight into their personal, portable screen. I don't want to be another mindless drone flipping through algorithms to trick my brain into being happy. Just this past weekend, I lied in bed for at least a couple hours and I don't even remember 99% of what I watched. It's embarrassing. Literal voluntary bed-rotting because I'd rather chuckle at or take inspiration from people I don't know. The solution seems so simple on paper, but it keeps me from feeling alone, you know? Out in the world, it's not so hard to keep my phone in my pocket 'cause... there's a world out there.

Maybe I really am an old man losing his mind.

Later That Night...

Going through old photos is a grounding experience. There are so many pictures of people I once deemed the closest in my life that I don't even think about anymore. Have you every felt guilty for loving someone?

I'm indecisive at my core. Truthfully, it's hard to imagine being with a single person for the rest of my life. Commendments to the people that stick together and have a fulfilling relationship. I know too many that are only with someone to keep from being alone.

I don't think I'll ever get love. Does anyone, really?

This is my first time making a blog. I needed some place to just mind dump when I can't really fit certain topics on the other parts of my site.

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POTS

I've set up a landline for myself. I recommend you do as well. It's currently useless since I don't have an answering machine, but it is fun calling out to friends and family.

The process is actually way easier than I originally thought. First, you need a phone. If you want to be cool, get yourself an old Model 500. Newer phones have way better features like voicemail or wireless handsets, but convenience isn't exactly the first thing on your mind when setting up a landline.

Next, you need some way for the phone to be able to send and receive calls. In the US, you can still get a true landline experience using AT&T's copper lines. Masochists and money burners usually go this route. Last I checked, they charge fifty bones a month. Plus, if anyone ever cuts a copper line in the ground, they will not be replacing it.

What you can actually do is call over the Internet that you're using to read this. An ATA device (Analog Telephone Adapter) will connect to a phone service over the Internet. Originally, I ordered a DID number through VoIP.ms to use. Turns out, DID stands for "Direct-Inward-Dial" and is only meant to receive calls. This will work, but I want to be able to call out, too.

After looking at different providers, I landed on Zadarma since it's free to dial out using my personal Caller ID. An actual number for people to call is only two bones a month. I still need to do some more testing before I fully trust it.