That old phone
When I have time later I'll post some of the lovely sentiments I have received regarding this loss, but for now ...
Qualcomm QCP-2760, of Arlington, Va., formerly of St. Petersburg, Fla., and Denver, died Sunday, Dec. 3, 2006, after being dropped one too many times. The Sprint phone, 6, was known for its incredible longevity and for resembling a remote control.
Purchased in June 2000 at a Radio Shack in St. Louis, QCP-2760 traveled long distances with its owner and experienced thousands of hours of calls. It was initially purchased ahead of its owner's solo drive from St. Louis to Denver, where it then spent more than two months.
The phone lived in St. Petersburg from November 2000 to September 2002 before settling in the Washington, D.C., area in November 2002. QCP-2760 enjoyed brief autumn stints in Normal, Ill., in 2000 and 2002.
"One human year is probably 35 years in cell phone time, so this phone was really about 230 years old," said one friend who asked to remain anonymous because he is completely made up. "That's an old phone, right there."
The cell phone is survived by its owner, Dan Gordon of Arlington. Arrangements for a replacement cell phone with text-messaging capability, a vibrate function and a DC-area telephone number are pending. In the meantime, condolence and other calls should be directed to Gordon's home number.
4 comments:
Eat your heart out, Zack Morris.
The kind words have been rolling in from all over the country. Most (but not all) follow.
"Exceptionally cute!" —RK, Rockville, Md.
"This is great. Thanks for a good laugh. Please accept my condolences." —MG, Normal, Ill.
"You crack me up! Sorry about the phone, but it lived a long, full and varied life. We should all have such wonderful obits written about us." —AG, Asheville, NC
"You are hilarious. But truly, I am very sorry to hear about your phone. I actually shed a tear." —RM, Silver Spring, Md.
"Damn.......and I thought I had too much time on MY hands! :-P" —AW, Silver Spring, Md.
"Your phone looks very youthful in the picture; I think the mortician did a great job. My phone offers a 21-ringtone salute :)" —JS, Arlington, Va.
"I will be sure to send a message of condolence via text message to the owner at a point when that is possible." —JS, Arlington, Va. (a different one)
"Dan, I'm so sorry for your loss. I will be more sorry if you don't post this obit to the blog." —DO, Arlington, Va.
"You are hilarious (and perhaps have a bit too much time on your hands)! :) I loved your email. I mean, I'm very sorry for your loss. I know it will be missed, but every time you think of it, the phone will be close to your heart. If there is anything we can do during this difficult time, such as housing you for a visit to St. Louis, please let us know. You are in our thoughts. In the meantime, thanks for brightening my day with such a funny message." —MB, St. Louis
"a sad day, dan. a sad day indeed. they (seriously) don't make 'em like that anymore." —GD, Chicago
"lolol- nice obit and alternative to just emailing out your home number =) you and your phone went through a lot together." —JT, Chicago
"Noooooooo! RIP, Qualcomm" —AB, Arlington, Va.
"That's aWESOME." —AG, Falls Church, Va.
"I had that phone too." —TB, Arlington, Va.
"I have never been compelled to shed a tear for the loss of someone's cell phone before. May QCP rest in peace. Are you going to take it apart and make a collage out of it to hang on your wall?" —AG, Denver
"OMG was that really your cellphone? That is totally awesome! And my condolences on the death of such a valuable member of the family. :(" —AR, Rockville, Md.
"HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHHAAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA" —AR, Portage, Mich.
"Boy, I guess I got to talk to the deceased on its last day of life. I feel honored." —DJ, Minneapolis
"the phone died! the end of an era, you should have it out in a display case to show that the oldies really are the goodies." —LC, Arlington, Va.
"Ohdear. How sad.... RIP old phone." —MD, Orlando
"I’m impressed that he lasted that long!" —MS, Alexandria, Va.
"That's hilarious, Dan! I'm glad you're putting your journalistic skills to good use! It is impressive how long that phone lasted and you will have fun with a new phone that actually fits in your pocket." —AG, Denver (a different one) [Editor's note: The Qualcomm fit very nicely in my pocket.]
"I'm so sorry Dan. Another legend has passed. We will all savour the memories. Will there be a memorial service?" —DL, Arlington, Va.
"Wow. I figured out that in that time, I've had seven. Yes, seven." —EF, St. Petersburg, Fla.
"You crack me up, Dan. My condolensces." —DC, Chicago
"will there be a service, or someplace we can send a memorial donation? =) ah, if i had an obit for every phone i have murdered over the years... i'd have a thick file, and quite possibly a rap sheet too... i would recommend you don't jump into another cell-phone relationship too quickly... these things take time to heal. just take the time you need, and let the offers for the new-fangled phones pile up until you figure out what you need." —LS, Tucson
"I'm writing to express my condolences. I know that you had a meaningful relationship with "that old phone" and that you'll miss it. I know, too, that you are aware that it gave you the best years of its life. (In fact, it gave you *all* the years of its life.) To be active until age ~230 is a privilege not accorded most cell phones. QCP-2760 has now gone to that big cell-etery in the sky. May it rest in peace." —JL, Teaneck, NJ
"Hee hee. May its memory be a blessing." —MS, Jersey City, NJ
"Well, you'd been saying you needed a new phone.... One that doesn't resemble a remote control might be nice, too. Very funny obit for a cell phone!" —LG, Chicago
"oh no! well, it served you well, i know." —DK, St. Petersburg, Fla.
"I will miss "Thin-Phone QCP-2760" dearly. I had one too. I abandoned mine long before it's time. I think it must have only been about 50 in "cell phone" years." —SG, Arlington, Va.
More ...
"Are you sitting shiva?" —JS, Falls Church, Va.
"I can't believe it's gone!! Interestingly ... like you, Dan, that phone looked exactly the same as it did when it was just a kid..." —DR, Portage, Mich.
When does the new phone arrive and how will you cope with the new technology?
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