There’s something magical about flipping a phone shut with dramatic flair after ending a conversation. It was the ultimate mic drop. My beloved green Motorola flip phone, covered in green glitter and flower charms off the side of it, was more than just a gadget; it was an experience. It gave every phone call closure (literally), every disagreement a satisfying punctuation, and every conversation a tangible end. I didn’t need to search for a red button to hang up—just the crisp snap of the phone closing said everything I needed to say. And honestly? I miss that a lot.
Back then, the phone wasn’t the centerpiece of my life. It was a utility, not a lifestyle. Internet access wasn’t 24/7—it was a rare treasure, rationed out like gold in our family computer room. Our internet was dial-up, and logging on meant negotiating with family members about when the phone line could be freed up. Those precious hours of connectivity felt like time in another world, especially on MySpace.
Ah, MySpace. The original playground for creativity, self-expression, and budding coders. I’d spend hours crafting the perfect profile. There were GIPHs to create, layouts to design, and playlists to curate, all to tell the world (okay, my friends and maybe a crush or two) who I was. It was raw, personal, and oh-so-satisfying to watch my little corner of the internet come to life. That’s why blogging feels like home to me—it taps into the same energy. The nostalgia, the joy of creating something authentic, and the freedom to say, "This is me."
Looking back, I realize how much I miss the intentionality of it all. Scheduling internet time wasn’t just about waiting—it was about prioritizing. It made the experience feel special, like an event you had to prepare for. Today, the internet is everywhere, all the time, and somehow, it feels less special because of it. I long for the days when being online was a choice, not an expectation.
So, here’s to the green Motorola flip phone, the dial-up tone, and MySpace layouts that taught me how to create and express myself. I miss the simpler times when technology added to life instead of consuming it. Maybe that’s why I’m here, blogging away, trying to recapture a little piece of that magic.
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alejandra <3