(Warning: this is a rant.)

Sometimes I hate to be connected. For some people, the more "connected" you are, the better. They've got cell phones (yes, more than one), pagers, laptops, email, social networking, and on and on. I'm told they are "hyper-connected."

The funny thing is, it's impossible sometimes to communicate with the hyper-connected. Every conversation gets interrupted by a ring, a beep, or a buzz in the pocket. They start another conversation, or begin typing away at little keyboards, and there they go, off on another train of thought. Buh-bye!

I have a cell phone, but I try to keep it away from myself for most hours of the day. Email and the internet? Only at the office, thanks. Pager? As if! At times I feel as if every ring, beep, or buzz intrudes on my life, and I just want to get away.

Do you know how many times I've seen couples sitting in public, completely ignoring one another while playing games on a cell phone? Too many! Usually it's the man who does this, of course.

And how about loud public cell phone conversation? Sometimes I think every cell phone should come with its own inflatable phone booth, usage mandatory. That would make life a bit more peaceful.

Call me a luddite, if you like. Don't get me wrong, though. I love technologies, in their proper place. But at times it feels like too much communication gets in the way of communicating.