Why is Log A Call so complicated?

I simply want to log a call. The Create Call page requires a recording of a call. The page does not include the phone number of the contact that I am calling. I'm not a call center...I'm a single salesperson who wants to track activity, create a follow up task, and send an email. Why is it necessary to record the call? Why can't this be disabled? I'm not interested in tracking seconds per call and all of the details required by an inside sales team or call center. Isn't there an easier way to do this?