Cell Phone… as Versatile as Duct Tape?
May 22, 2007 at 12:02 am 11 comments
Welp, maybe there is a little thru-hiker innovation in me yet. Today during the second time we waited at Detroit Airport (some pipes on the original plane burst so we had to get off and be shuffled to another plane), Larry and I opened up a bag of trail mix which we did not finish. I needed a means to seal the bag. Usually this task is reserved for the hairband or scrunchie I keep around my right wrist. But on this particular day, that hairband was already fulfilling a duty– keeping my impromptu french braid tethered. So like the thru-hikers, I had to improvise. My cell phone became one of the more expensive bag clips out there:
An Expensive Bag Clip — an LG EnV
It actually worked quite well. Not a single nut, raisen, date or yogurt piece escaped. This is not an unique occurence. My cell phone has risen on many occassions to fill a variety of needs:
- Phone (Duh)
- Instant Messenger
- Camera (All the pictures I took at Vail were from my phone)
- Flashlight (Used it numerous times to navigate my dark garage)
- Alarm Clock (our actual clock radio hasn’t even been set for years now)
- Key Finder (I occassionally attach my keys to the clip. If I lose my keys, I just call my phone)
- PostIt Note (I send text messages to myself with reminders)
- Mirror
- And now….. Bag Clip
I haven’t even tapped into features like MP3 player or videos! The cell phone has proven to be quite versatile, but it probably would not be an effective blaze on the Appalachian Trail or any good at blister prevention or mending tents. Then again, I’d like to see duct tape communicate between me and my husband while we are hundreds of miles apart. Shall we call it a draw?
Entry filed under: Appalachian Trail, Blaze, Cell Phone, Duct Tape.
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TGAW 
1.
geekhiker | May 22, 2007 at 1:25 am
Mult-itasking? Oh, no. Better let REI know. They’ll certainly invent a propane-powered, 174 oz. chip clip in no time. To go along with your $25 Chopsticks!
All kidding aside, thanks for stopping by my humble site!
2.
tgaw | May 22, 2007 at 7:36 am
Haha. Oh my. I’m not sure which REI product I find more amusing– the $25 chopsticks or the portable deep fryer!
And I think I just found PassionPhish another use for metal tent stakes.
3.
spugbrap | May 22, 2007 at 12:49 pm
Cool! I’ve used #1-6 and 8, but #7 and 9 are new ideas to me. Thanks for the tips. The key finder one is my favorite!
Of course, until I actually get around to buying a holster/case/whatever for my cell phone, I can’t actually USE either of those. But, I really ought to get something to protect my phone, and when I do, it will probably have a clip of some sort.
4.
Zooomabooma | May 23, 2007 at 1:36 am
No one should be promoting the cell phone for use in general public society, especially a hiker because those stoopid idiotic devices belong in the hands on medical professionals and others who have jobs that come close to absolutely requiring them otherwise it’s just an asinine piece of crap that simply does NOT belong in tha hands of the public because the public, in general, is helping to destroy society with them. Tres sad.
5.
Clint | May 23, 2007 at 8:51 am
Zoomabooma… That just seemed to come out of left field. It’s true that you shouldn’t expect one to work, and that they typically don’t work in remote areas. But they have saved people.
6.
tgaw | May 25, 2007 at 7:34 pm
Hmm, well I’ve thought a few days and I still don’t really know how to respond to you, Zooomabooma.
I have certainly seen my fair share of cell phone misuse, particularly in the hands of teenagers and drivers (and at times one of those drivers is, ahem, me). But, I do not believe them to be destroying society. In fact, if we are pointing fingers at electronics, I think there are better candidates to turn our eyes towards. Television, for example, with its contribution to obesity, lethargy and isolation could warrant criticism before cell phones. Whereas cell phones can empower people to venture out and are designed to lead people away from home, television entices the opposite.
That said, I still watch TV and despite its shortcomings and obsessions I see in some, “destroyer of society” is an ambitious title.
Well, no matter what, thank you for commenting. I wish you luck in your trail running endeavors and hope you are able to eventually make your way to the Appalachian Trail.
Vicky
7. Early Morning Send Off « TGAW | May 26, 2007 at 9:05 am
[…] his journey from his cell phone to Twitter. Zooomabooma probably wouldn’t approve of this continued destruction of society, but if you have no objections to cell phones you can keep track of Mike’s progress at […]
8.
tgaw | June 29, 2007 at 2:09 pm
Edit– Added “Mirror” to the list.
See https://tgaw.wordpress.com/2007/06/29/lazy-mans-mirror/
9. Fancy Toothbrush Holder « TGAW | July 4, 2007 at 11:59 pm
[…] 4th, 2007 Cellphones aren’t the only thing that can moonlight. Here’s a shot from our downstairs bathroom. Sean and I had quite the fancy toothbrush […]
10.
tgaw | July 31, 2007 at 9:25 pm
Another use for cell phones—- providing light for surgery
http://www.cnn.com/2007/TECH/07/31/cell.phone.surgery.reut/index.html
11. Geekhiker Sighting – Occoquan, Virginia « TGAW | December 5, 2011 at 1:01 am
[…] username Geekhiker might look familiar. He first commented on this blog in May of 2007 (on “Cell Phone…As Versatile As Duct Tape?“) and over the last four years has managed to be the top commenter. He drew the attention […]