My dearest blogosphere,
In the words of a pen pal from my elementary days, how are you? I am fine. Mostly. I know that it has been ages since I’ve written, but I promise that there are reasons, many of which are even valid.
For one thing, blogging minus the internet doesn’t work so well. It’s been nearly a week since my (former) phone company, a bottomless reservoir of brilliant communicators, interpreted a clear request for ditching our land line as an order to disconnect all service, including our internet and every one of our well-established email accounts. ((That means that if you wrote to me in the past week, I may not have gotten it. And since I’m not about to post my shiny new gmail address online, you can use my contact form to try again.)) It’s possible it was an act of spite, brought about by their jealousy at our choosing somebody else’s cell service over their land line offerings. I, however, prefer to think of it as an honest mistake somehow perpetuated by, well, no fewer than six different customer service reps, four technical support gurus, and two managers. ((This is no exaggeration. I actually counted how many people couldn’t help me. I had to do something with all that time on hold.)) In an act of breathtaking incompetence, they managed to make the problem worse every time I called. While their communication skills may be lacking, their determination to screw things up is admirable.
Whatever the cause, this incident, as you may imagine, has not exactly filled my days with sunshine and rainbows. The good news is that I have now developed an exciting new hobby: unsuccessfully battling the company that ate my internet. Which is excuse number two for not having written. You know how hobbies can be, so all-consuming that at times they almost cease to be fun.
The public library, with its abundance of light, foliage, and wireless internet, is perhaps an obvious choice for those who find themselves marooned in a house without a workable way to surf the web. If only I hadn’t also been battling something mean and contagious, a fight I plan to win tomorrow, or maybe Friday.
Then there was the possibility of writing from work, with its many doors to all things online. Let’s just rule that option out now, though, shall we? I don’t typically blog about work, and I definitely don’t blog at work. The two entities go together like plaid and stripes.
I would like to think that my remaining time has been spent well, however. For example, I’ve attacked my new cell phone, associating different ring tones and photos with almost all of my contacts, a crucial first step in breaking in a new device. And then there are the book revisions. It’s astonishing how much less painful they can be without the worldly web tempting me at every turn.
All of this is to say that there is more coming soon, when I am less annoyed and more coherent. And to apologize for my lack of communication. A new company swooped in a few hours ago to hook us up to the rest of the world, which means I’ll be touring the blogosphere – and adding to it – in no time.
More soon,
Caryn
P.S. I think everyone should probably be without the internet for a while. At the very least they can rewnew their relationships with the dictionary and the phone book, two worthy publications that don’t see a lot of use these days.
Hi, Caryn. I have to take exception to your postscript. I am not entirely sure I CAN be without the internet. Who needs drugs when you can have the internet?! I am a TOTAL addict. Oh, and I totally relate to your phone book issue the other day. He he he.
Aaaagh! I feel for you. Welcome back to the blogosphere! 🙂
An occasional internet (computer, tv, etc.) fast is indeed a good thing, but so much better when it’s on your terms — not theirs!
I was Internet deprived for a few days last summer and went into severe withdrawals–it was awful! And yet– I got a ton of writing done-go figure!
Oh, NO! I think I might be having a panic attack just CONSIDERING the possibility of life without internet. Without a land line I could make do, but no internet?
::breathe, breathe, breathe::
Okay, I do use a program that disables my wireless access for a set amount of time each day (and I get TONS of writing done during those 4 hours), but to have it forced on me but some company?
No.
Sooooo sorry you had to deal with incompetence. Is it really so much to ask that a company provide knowledgeable customer service reps? Really?
Glad you’re back.
Tell you the truth, I’ve been taking more time away from the internet. Turning the computer on happens less and less. I think taking time away is a good thing. But, sorry you had to go through so much turmoil while away. That truly had to suck.
it’s good to get “unplugged” every once in a while! 🙂 glad to see you back!
I am beginning to suspect that such incompetent shenanigans have become modus operandi for phone and Internet providers. It’s at the point where one almost does not dare make changes because of the inevitable disruption.
But I’m glad it was good for your revisions. A little time offline now and then is not a bad thing. 🙂
We’re in the middle of getting out of our old internet service, and I’m anticipating a similar fight. Do you rent yourself out for such battles? 🙂
@Katie – sometimes I honestly wonder how I got along without the internet. It makes me wonder what inventions have yet to be discovered, but without which we won’t be able to survive once we’re hooked.
@Wil – Thanks! And I totally agree. So different when it’s on my own terms. At least I couldn’t feel as guilty about not blogging or blog-hopping, since it wasn’t my choice.
@Alyson – I believe it. I think I need the internet to research, but really I just look one thing up and then find another and another, and pretty soon I’m not working at all.
@Amy – Sometimes I’ll disconnect my wireless modem. By the time I move my laptop, get up, and cross the room to connect it again, I’ve usually talked myself out of it. Or I’ll go someplace without free wireless. That helps me avoid the temptation.
@Kathy – I need to be better about that, too. Good for you for having the willpower!
@Virginia – Thanks! It’s good to be back. Can’t wait to get caught up on all the blogs I’ve been missing out on.
@Mary – So true! In a way, it’s almost like they *want* to lose customers, though I can’t imagine why they would!
@Pam – I don’t think you’d want to rent me for this one. I was very unsuccessful. Here’s hoping I’ll be more successful when the bill arrives, since I’m sure that will cause all sorts of new problems.
*groan*
Oh, Caryn, I’ve been there…though I must admit to admiring (greatly) your ability to count the number of incompetent “service” people during your ordeal, which shows some spunk and a level head. I completely lost track during the Mysteriously Non-Working Modum Distaster in the fall of 2008, so I’m quite impressed :).
Glad to have you back…