Retirement is a week filled with Saturdays and Sundays interrupted only occasionally by a holiday.

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Friday, August 17, 2007

Let's Hear It For Spare Parts

I just love the Internet...can you tell? Yesterday I wrote a desperate post, while visiting my house, about my sister's dead Internet connection. Lo and behold, this morning she called me from San Francisco frantic (OK...maybe it's more like "concerned") that she will return from her vacation tonight to find herself without Internet access. How did she know? She read my post last night on her laptop in her hotel room and knew what was going on so this morning she called.

After I gave her a rundown of all my troubleshooting steps, she told me there was a spare "portal" in a box in her garage (if I'd only known). Since I was suspicious of the power cable/transformer rather than the portal itself, I first decided to use the new cable in the box and, sure enough, the problem was solved. So now I'm up and running again and, when she and the family return, they will be too!

So...what did this little experience teach me? It taught me that I am absolutely addicted to the Internet. The feeling of anxiety that arose when I discovered the Internet was down truly amazed and frightened me. Yes...I know I've done without the Internet for long periods of time when we've traveled. But there's something different about being in your regular environment every day without the ability to log on, communicate with people, research desired information, find directions and all the other things that come with surfing the Web. Now I'm thinking maybe I need to go "Internet free" on a regular basis just to stop myself from becoming an incurable Internet junkie. Okay...it's just a thought...

20 comments:

Carole Burant said...

Well I'm sure glad it was just a thought!!! lol Oh I know what you mean about feeling completely lost when your internet is down...I go into complete panic! I could be away from it for days if I'm on vacation, with no problem but if I'm home and there's no internet, watch out! hehe xox

the moose buyer said...

I think there ought to be a 12 step program for people like us. You know the kind where you step to the mike and say "my name is ina and I am addicted to the internet".

rosemary said...

I think I need to look up this group that TMB is talking about. I have put off things like doing hubby's expenses, paying bills etc. so i can read blogs. "Hi my name is Rosemary and I am addicted to blogging."

Susie said...

I think it's true that we have become more and more reliant upon the internet to do so many things (research, banking, shopping, and of course, blogging)
I don't worry about being away from it when I'm not at home, but at home, I'm very dependent on a quick reliable connection..
xo

Anonymous said...

Glad you were able to repair the problem. I couldn't imagine being at home without the internet.

Renee Nefe said...

LOL! And yay that your sister had spare parts. I'm addicted too.

Our hotel in VA had a Business Center where I could surf the net and I would go every night (even after a full day of walking) to check everything!

Midlife Mom said...

I know what you mean!!! I just have fits when my computer is down here at home. When we travel I don't even think about it much, although I do grab my husband's laptop occasionally to check my blogs! heehee!

Linda said...

Let me know how that whole "Internet Free" stuff works out for you; I think I would be cowering in the corner trying to click an imaginary mouse after just one or two days away from my computer! Sad ... sad but true!

Glad your sister's Internet had been resurrected!

meno said...

At our house when the internet is down, i count on my daughter to pitch a fit. I look on calmly, knowing that my husband will fix it.

But if she didn't pitch the fit, i would.

Lynn said...

The bummer of having the spare part available this time, reinforced my need to hold onto not only things, but duplicates as well. sigh

Mom said...

So I think we need to set up regular meetings of Internet Anonymous where we we share our struggles together. We can meet everyday in blogland to help one another.Joan, you can be our discussion leader.

Joan said...

Pea: Panic would be the perfect word to describe my reaction to having no Internet...Eeeeeekkkkk!!!

The moose buyer: I think I'll search the Web to see if there's an Internet 12-step program near me...ooops!

Rosemary: If you could only see my "To Do" list which is sitting neglected on my desk while I'm here online. [Sigh...]

Susie: It does make our lives so much easier which is why not having it is so frightening.

Lynne: At least this time it was easy. WHo knows what will happen if there's a next time.

Renee: When we were in Ireland, I immediately checked with each hotel's staff to see if there was free Internet access in a Business Center. Sure enough, most had it available...whew!!!

Midlife mom: Hubby bought me my first laptop in February and I'm planning on taking it with me in September when we go up North so I will have my trusted Internet with me at all times.

Linda: Even the thought of purposefully ignoring the Internet for a few days has me nervous. How sad is that???

Meno: I'm sure it's much worse for this generation to do without their beloved Internet than for us since we do know what life was like before computers came along.

Lynn: I think we just need to use discretion in what we hold on to as spare parts. Maybe we should divide up the spare part inventory...you take some and I'll take some. That way we'll each cut our holdings 50% but we'll still be covered in the event of a breakdown.

Mom: The irony of course is that most people would need our online group's support the most when their Internet is down and then what?!?! :~)

Anonymous said...

I just noticed you've lost 6 pounds! Way to go! I've lost 2, but it's a start. I need to really get serious though.

Joan said...

Lynne: Hey...be proud of those 2 pounds!!! They are most definitely a start in the right direction. For me, I think most of my first 6 is just water but I'll take them any old way.

Patti said...

I would feel the same way if our Internet wasn't there..it's such a part of daily life now.
Glad it all worked out for you guys.

I just read your hubby's description of Ashford Castle. Stunning.

Special K ~Toni said...

When I was on vacation I thought the first three days I was going to die without the internet. I survived.

Michele said...

Woohoo.. congrats on the 6 pounds...

Joan said...

Patti: Thanks for the kind words about Rick's blog...he loves hearing from his "fans." :~)

Special k~toni: I felt exactly the same way in Ireland which is why I was thrilled to finally find Internet access in some of the hotels' Business Centers.

Michele: Thanks! I keep getting on the scale to make sure it really reads 6 pounds down.

Travis Erwin said...

I'm an internet junkie too.

Lynn said...

I've found 1 of your six pounds...sigh