The end of love.

I used to love Verizon. They were my very first, right out of college. Eased me into the experience of the cell phone, gently, gracefully, easily. They took care of me, nursed me through dunking my phone in water, helped me choose just the right one that stayed with me for years. Changed the wonky sounds and was always unfailingly polite and helpful.

Then Verizon got a big head. Got to be top dog, started to realize the power it had over me.

That's when the abuse started.

The dropped calls, the rude service, the "There's nothing we can do man. You'll have to buy a new phone" litanies. But oh! The dropped calls. They hurt the worst.

But we had a commitment. We made promises to each other and no matter how shiny and new and enticing that other one was, with the spiffy, double meaning name and geegaws, luring me with the shiny metal and promises of new technology, we stayed together. We were going to make it work.

Sure, I was tempted. Reduced contracts, waived fees, music on my phone! A girl can only take so much. I stepped up to the edge. I looked over.

But I never left. There were promises. And I didn't trust the look in Verizon's eye. Retribution gleamed.

I thought this January things would be different. We were going to recommit to each other. Like lots of other couples, we got a new baby to cover up the patches, going by the name of Razr. It promised to make everything better.

But then the fights about money started. And this person said this and that person said this and WHY DIDN'T ANYONE MARK MY ACCOUNT could be heard. The accusations, the anger, the bitterness, the suspicion.

But we worked through it. The tiny new phone was entrancing. For a little while.

Because the faults came out. Rather quickly and were unsettling. But, again, I made a commitment, damnit. It could be dealth with.

But then Razr starting losing power, started being unreliable, scatty, just wasn't dependable. And I took it to everyone I could to get it help, to make it work, to do something.

And they gave me new Razrs but it wasn't the same. Nowhere near the same.

And finally I couldn't take it anymore. It was time to say goodbye to Razr, let it go. It was time.

But Verizon said it was my fault. Said I got what I deserved and what did I want Verizon to do about it?

Just something, let's just get through this, I just need something.

And Verizon said "Fine. Have it your way. This is all I can give you."

So now Verizon and I are trying to make it work through the Samsung. Which is shiny and red and is trying really hard.

But I don't expect much anymore. And I'll be happy if it'll just be reliable and show up when it's supposed to.

I think it knows it's just a stopgap. And the end of the relationship is nigh. We're just cobbling the cracks together right now, riding out the last of it. And we're both a little bit sad, but resigned.

Sometimes you just know.

(Criminy, this was an unintentionally long post.)