phone

[pianoman]

Here is how I handle the phone.  I have 1 business line in my home which is
my primary phone.  I have a paging number with voice mail on it.  I have an
answering machine.  I have a cell phone.  I have the computer modem in use
on this same phone line most evenings.  I have call forwarding on my
business. line.  I normally have my call forwarding turned on transferring
all my incoming calls to my pager voice-mail number.  If some one calls it
goes to my voice mail and it pages me to retrieve my message.  During the
day I am alerted then each time someone leaves a message and I can retrieve
it immediately and choose to call back then if it is an emergency or I
still need another tuning that day.  If not I just leave it on the voice
mail.  The call forwarding is always on so I can receive pages/voice mail
even though I am on the modem with the computer or on the phone talking. 
If I am waiting for an important call I can switch the call forwarding to
my cell phone so I can catch it quick.  In this area there are many places
that are considered toll calls that you can call with no toll on the cell
phone.  If I leave town for a few days I can turn off the call forwarding
and leave my answering machine take over with the message that I am under
the weather and will return calls in a few days when I am better.  I also
include my pager number if they have an emergency, most aren't.  The voice
mail holds 6 calls in memory.  This is about as much flexibility as I can
think of with only 1 phone line and 1 cell phone.  The advantage with the
pager/voice mail is that in most locations the people around you will ask
you If you have to use the phone and volunteer to provide you with it. 
Saves hunting a phone booth. 
   James Grebe
    R.P.T.
from St. Louis
pianoman@inlink.com
"A cheap piano lasts almost as long as a fine one, even though you wished
it wouldn't
JG