But it’s scratched. It’s not new and fresh and shiny. It doesn’t have all of the bells and whistles that a Blackberry or an iPhone has. After yesterday’s launch of the new 3G iPhone and all the online talk about the Apple Apps Store my phone has lost yet more of it’s charm and it’s tempting to consider buying a new phone.

My cell phone is my only telephone. I canceled my land line phone about a year ago and haven’t missed it. So the little voice in my head starts…

Little voice: Merlene… you’ve saved SO much money by canceling your land line. You can afford to get a new shiny cell phone.

Merlene: No. I don’t need a new phone.

Little voice: Oh but you’ve been doing without so many things lately, you really deserve to reward yourself. Get a new phone.

Merlene: NO. I don’t need a new phone.

Little voice: But all of the cool kids are buying new phones!

Merlene: I guess I’m just not cool then, huh?

Little voice: Just think! You could twitter, web surf, email, do everything with a new phone!

Merlene: How often am I away from a computer long enough for that to matter to me?

Little voice: the 3G has GPS!

Merlene: I always know where I am. Now if only it could tell me where IT was when I misplaced it we’d have something.

Little voice: It has all kinds of new apps and features!

Merlene: There are a bunch of apps and features on my phone now. I use the Make a Call feature, the Answer a Call feature, and the Alarm feature. That’s it.

Little voice: But everyone wants one!

Merlene: I guess I don’t have to worry about anyone stealing my old banged up v360.

Little voice: But it’s cool! It’s new! It’s shiny!

Merlene: You’ve tried that shiny bit before. I didn’t bite.

Little voice: But…

Merlene: I’ve got to let you go now, I’ve got another call coming in… Oh look! It’s the voice of reason… just in the nick of time!