The ringing in my ears
Tuesday, July 24, 2012 I have an iPhone. It's not the latest and greatest version with all the bells and whistles and FaceTime application, but I love it just the same. A few of the iPhone features make me nuts, of course, such as the auto correct (which it apparently does others, too, sometimes in hilarious fashion). For the most part, though, I'm quite pleased with the snazzy smartphone and consider myself privileged to have it.
One of the best things about my iPhone, I think, is that I can automatically tell who's calling me. Not because I have Caller ID—which I do—but because of how each person sounds when they're trying to reach me, thanks to the ability to set ringtones and text tones for callers. I don't even have to pick up my phone to check Caller ID to screen my calls.
Which is music to my ears. Because I pretty much hate talking on the telephone. So only if it's someone in my immediate family do I usually answer right away. Unless I'm in the bathroom. But at least then I know who it is I need to call back as soon as I'm out of the shower...or whatever...without even having to look.
We are a family of texters, so the same goes for when I'm musically notified that one of them is calling without calling at all.
The really great thing about having the ability to screen calls with the iPhone is that I've attached a sound to each of my family members that audibly resembles who they are. At least to me. Sounds that make me smile—not just because one or the other wants to talk or text with me, but because the sound I've given them is so, well, them.
To show you—or, more accurately, sound to you—what I hear that gets me grinning, I'd like to introduce you to my family...by ringtone.
BRIANNA: I talk to Brianna probably more often than I talk to my other two daughters put together. Brianna likes to talk. And for the most part, I like to hear her talk. But she does indeed talk a lot, and we all like to tease her a bit about it. So I was quite pleased with myself when I found that my iPhone had a ringtone perfectly befitting my oldest daughter. When I first assigned it to her, I giggled every single time she'd call. Now I simply smile, for this is what I hear when Brianna calls. When she texts, my oldest daughter sounds like this, just because I imagine her texting as quickly as she can—and expecting me to respond as quickly as I can.
ANDREA: My youngest daughter calls me far less often than Brianna. Actually, she calls far less than Megan and Jim, too. But that's okay. She calls me just as often as she needs to and just as often as I need her to. Same with texting. But when she does either, she always makes me smile. First with the ringtone assigned to her. Or the text tone that she urged me to use—which is kind of like this one but not exactly (only because I couldn't find the exact MP3 to use for this post). The actual one is the iPhone minuet tone Andie suggested I use and imagine her dancing around each time I hear it. Which I do. Which along with some of the off-the-wall things she writes, is another of the reasons I smile when Andrea texts.
MEGAN: As the mother of my grandchildren, nearly every time my middle daughter calls or texts, there's some mention of my grandsons. Sometimes she even graciously treats me to photos and videos via text. So the ringtone and text tone for Megan require a smidgen of whimsy to match the fun (usually) found at the other end of the line when she rings in. So each time there's news of my grandsons—or my daughter herself—heading my way via a voice call, this is what I hear. The sound of a photo or video magically traveling from the desert to land in my hands in the mountains typically sounds like this.
JIM: When Jim calls to let me know he's left work and on his way home or that he's forgotten what it is I said I wanted from Taco Bell, this is what I hear. That's just the bluesy kinda guy my husband is. Of course, he'll text occasionally, too. Being the one in the family who is newest to texting and wee bit less adept at it than the rest of us, though, he doesn't know it, but he sounds just like this when he texts me. That's my Jimmy.
Bubby and Mac are clearly far too young for phones of their own. When the time comes, though, I'll likely create a special ringtone for each, something original to match the truly original personalities of each of my goofy grandsons.
That's how it is with my family. How my immediate family sounds to me.
My extended family? Well—and, Mom, don't be offended by this!—I've assigned the same ringtone to all of them, from my parents to each and every one of my siblings. When they call—which isn't often—there's typically some anxiety-inducing news they plan to share. So I warn myself in advance with a spooky little riff that sounds like this. Did you feel that as you listened? That is indeed the feeling accompanying most calls from my siblings. Best to be prepared before saying, "Hello."
My siblings and parents shouldn't be offended, though, for at least they get a special ringtone. Strangers? All they get is this generic old telephone ring. Yet even that sounds pretty darn cool coming over my iPhone—though I must admit, I ignore that specific ring nearly every time I hear it. Like I said, I hate talking on the phone; talking on the phone to strangers is something I pretty much refuse to do.
That's the beauty of screening my phone calls—made simpler by the ringing in my ears.
Today's question:
What are your favorite ringtones to assign to family, friends, and foes?
Reader Comments (11)
That's pretty funny. I do not text, nor do i own a smart phone (yet). At lunch with friends recently we decided to make another lunch date for August. My firends took out there smart phones and I took out my cute little date book and a pen. They just shook their heads.
Ha! I only have a few ringtones assigned. Mitch is the Pink Panther Theme (because he LOVES the Pink Panther), my sister is OU's fight song (because we're both football nuts) and another friend of mine who is almost more dog-crazy than I am gets the barking dog ringtone.
But now I feel like I need to go assign ringtones to everyone else.
Not having an iPhone, I don't assign ring-tones nor do I text. I still, like Olga, write things down in a little notebook (then I have to try and remember where I put the notebook).
I love this!!! It is so me!! I wish I could share my ring tones with you! I only have very few assigned but I'm like you -- I love knowing who is calling when my phone is in my purse and I can't see it or laying on the table somewhere. I have one for Grampy of course that is just a happy ring because, well he make me happy! I have another but different happy tone for sister Sandy as I love when she calls. I used to have one for my headhunter that sounded like someone pounding on the door -- I tried to think of it as opportunity knocking! But my favorite ringtone is assigned to my daughter. It is not a true ringing tone but it says in kind of computer style voice "Your daughter is attempting to reach you on your cellular devise" and it ALWAYS make me smile!
LOL! Love it! I don't have an iPhone, I'm a Blackberry person. On a previous phone I assigned ring tones to all my kids and hubby that reminded me of them. I had one annoying work associate that I also assigned a "special" ringtone to. Ahem. On my new phone I didn’t really feel like the ringtones accurately matched my family members so I have one tone for all. I just check caller ID before I answer.
Great post Lisa as always.
My ring tones are the same for everyone however it will come with their name if I have them in my phone. I do have a different tone for texting. Love my smart phone.
Too funny! You're even creative on your phone.
My 'smart' phone is used mostly for business emails and calls when out of the office. I don't have any ringtones assigned and usually have the sound turned off completely just to drive my family crazy.
However, I may change my mind after hearing yours because now I'm jealous. Love it!
love this! My darling husband has specific ring tones assigned to his individual family members which are quite amusing. As for me right now I have kept it simple assigning one ring tone to people I know and communicate with all the time...boring, I know. Perhaps I will sit down when I have a moment, if I have a moment and get all creative at the very least for my circus.
I am like Olga. I like my little (paper!) note pad! My cell phone rings are generic and I don't text either! The fun part for me is listening to all the random ring tones during church services, then watching the embarrassed people fumble to fetch their phones and turn them off! LOL And if I need an immediate message sent to one of my 3 daughters, I ask one of her sisters to send it for me!
Mr. J just bought me an i-phone. so i'm just trying to figure it out. right now everybody has the same sound. your ringtones are very creative.
I love this post! I have a few ringtones. My son's rington is the Texas A&M Aggie War Hymn. The Aggie Band actually offers it for free at their website. My daughter's is the Theme from Star Wars. When my husband calls it plays the Lord of the Rings theme. I must confess that when my mother was alive, her ringtone was The Addams Family Theme. Trust me, it was appropriate.