I had my VP for my company in town, working with me. When I mentioned to her that I don't have cable she thought I was crazy. She kept referencing television shows throughout the day and sporting events that I have no idea about. It's not that I don't like sports or television or that I'm somehow better than her or anyone else with cable, it's just that I know myself well and if I had cable, I'd watch a lot of television. For me, games are the same thing. If I had a gaming system or if I took the time to realize the vast array of games I could play on my computer, I'd play them.... TOO MUCH. So, I like games, I think they're an amazing medium/art form but they definitely have the ability to consume way too much of my time and energy.
Totally. The only time I've ever had a video game system as an adult was a brief period when I lived with my brother. I played the fuck out of a bunch of games. I didn't feel good about it. I'm not against them, either, but I hate getting sucked in. As for cable, I need it to watch hockey. I didn't have it for a while, and I actually spent more money, because I was always at the bar.
I just got the new iPhone and started using apple pay. It's nice as a notification for all of my card purchases, even ones that are automated, populate on my phone screen. This morning "NHL Interactive Cyber: $4.95" came up. Apparently, for the last year I've been giving them $5 a month and haven't realized. Fuckers. I need to cancel it. That's the kind of thing that happens when you don't have cable and are too lazy to audit your credit card statement.
I use ApplePay every chance I get - probably a few dozen times since early december. It's still awkward reaching for my wallet and then switching to my phone when I realize it's an option. It's quick - it works well. I don't know if I could ever leave my wallet though. Maybe. I don't like the idea of being single threaded.
I don't remember all of it - I think I just had my card in my hand, opened the passbook app and input the number. It did some kind of activation behind the scenes… anyway - now when I go to home depot, I just hold my phone up to the card reader, put my finger on the home button and the reader beeps, my phone buzzes and it shows that I paid. Kinda cool. EDIT: I just remembered - actually - I think you can even use the camera to capture your card info. It was super easy. My credit card just worked, but I think I had to log into my bank account online to activate the debit card.
so far, the biggest hit with the phone is the slow-motion video option. My daughter loves it.
I've only used it to pay for something once, at Whole Foods, but I shop there often enough that it'll be nice. I like passbook, I store my loyalty program cards there too, it's nice to have my hilton honors # handy, I travel enough.