i read an article recently: "long walk. no phone." and it was one of those rare moments online when something actually clicks and feels good and translates beyond the screen into physical movement and inspires the oftentimes fleeting thought, "i can do this." and maybe this isn't an issue for "normal" people. maybe it's just those of us choosing substack as our drug of choice - another substitute for the various social media platforms that we all claim to hate. craving a hit of dopamine that doesn't require anything from you but a flick of a thumb. maybe i need therapy or some kind of medication to treat the mental anguish i've attributed to the surveillance device i carry with me at all times. or maybe i just wish i was the anomaly. it's more sad to think that most of us feel this way.
after reading that article, i decided to follow its prescription. i went for a walk without my phone, for about one hour. and the writer was correct, i started to notice things i hadn't before. i also got back in touch with a long forgotten sensation - the compulsion to strike up conversation with strangers. another thing, i was window browsing... consumerism felt a little less insidious to me suddenly. haven’t fully unpacked that one yet. it's bizarre, i take this kind of walk often but not having the phone physically on me at all completely changed the nature of the experience. even more fascinating, the feeling has lingered with me for the last 48 hours. even in moments where the phone is with me.
the other night, i was invited to see a live performance by a friend of mine from LA who happened to have a tour stop in philly. i went with my girlfriend and after witnessing our friend deliver a really inspiring performance, my girlfriend went to the bathroom as i waited just outside for her. i had the immediate desire to disappear into my phone, but caught it and fought it. i began looking around the room, noticing. i observed a person standing directly across from me on a flip phone - typing furiously (T9 style). the long lost feeling came over me: i leaned over and asked, "is that your every day phone? or your ‘i'm outside’ phone?" we began a conversation. i discovered their name was izzy and they were a gold-star flip phone user. they were also a music critic and a professor at one of the colleges in the area. my girlfriend came out from the restroom and joined our conversation. we all chatted for a bit, then parted ways. no instagrams or info exchanged, satisfied with the interaction as it was.
yesterday, i went on another walk and decided to bring my phone. i had to do some social media posts for a show announcement (i'm doing a live show on 11/21, a benefit for philly socialists). i noticed i was doing the thing i tend to do after a post, compulsively checking notifications. i put my phone in my pocket and continued to walk. i stopped into a french bistro/cafe, realized i didn't want anything on the menu and stepped back out. went into a pub next door i hadn't been in before. i was the only one in there, aside from the bartender. the kitchen staff tucked away in the back. i ordered a snake eyes (mezcal, coconut water, banana liqueur, lime) and a firecracker shrimp appetizer. both were delicious. i was chatting it up with the bartender, danny. told him i did freelance work nearby. as i was finishing up my drink, i thought "i should come here more often, danny might just be my new friend." he gave me my check and informed me it was his last day working the bar. he was excited to finally retire. i congratulated him, and selfishly wished it wasn't his last day there. he said i should still come back and meet the other bartenders, that i'll enjoy the place regardless.
so i'm thinking i'll swing by again next week, without the phone.
