I couldn’t live without my phone. It’s my electronic brain, responsible for reminding me about appointments, remembering the contact information of my friends and family and keeping track of my endless lists of ‘important’ things. I have no idea how I functioned before my smart phone. (I think there is a real chance that I didn’t exist at all, but instead sprung into existence with the development of the blackberry operating system, and that my pre-smart-phone memories were implanted so I would seem like a real person.)
Anyway I lost it. Which should have been a tragic event, ending in me begging my husband to recover my information from one of my infrequent back-ups. There should have been tears and repeated promises to the phone gods to be more careful in the future if only they would restore my list of e-mail contacts. But the punishment for losing my phone was averted, and instead I had a lovely evening recovering it.
The people who found my cell phone called my husband to track me down before I even noticed my phone was missing. They asked that I meet them at a bar that is only four blocks from my apartment. I got there a bit early and ordered a diet coke (to feed my addiction) and the bartender gave it to me for free. While I was waiting the live music for the evening started up and it was a great indy country singer. So basically I got to drink free diet coke and listen to great music while I waited for generous people to meet me and give me my phone back. (How does one even earn good cell phone karma…’cause I have it.) The good Samaritans refused my offer to buy them a drink asking me to pay it forward. I totally will.
NB. I am totally inspired to write more country music now.
Writing Exercise:
I believe in Karma. I’m not a religious person, but I do believe that in a general way we get back what we put out into the world. But, what if Karma were categorized and doing good wasn’t enough, but rather that the good and bad you did in one area, only came back to you in that area?
For example what if your character rescues puppies and walks little old ladies across the road, but takes really poor care of their vehicle? Then perhaps when they need a human kindness or a dog to pull them out of a burning building they’re set, but just can’t catch a break with mechanical objects. Or, consider that they cheat at cards and lie on phone surveys, but can’t stand to see someone get a ticket so they constantly plug the parking meters of strangers to save them the fine. What might be the karmic consequences? Spend thirty minutes with a character who is having a little trouble with what the world is sending their way. Happy writing.
