I know we have had all had odd moments when something goes wrong. It goes off line, or breaks down, perhaps you move home. Maybe, the reception tower falls down, or something crazy like that. I don't know. I do know though, that there is a lot of ranting, and raving done when that happens. I have seen, heard it, done it. Until it's up, and running again. When you can just use it, and not have to think about how it got there in the first place. Or, if it will still be there when you next get home. As well as home, there is usually a connection where you work, or on your mobile phone.Today, you can find it in cafes, and many public buildings too. There are even hotspots, where you can pick up connections, all over the place.
As you can imagine, this conversation has cropped up for a reason. It's because, for the past few months, of being away from home, communicating are impossible. In fact, the whole 'Internet on tap' thing has fallen apart for me. I don't have one in the house at all, as I am in holiday accommodation. It is like, I imagine a prison sentence to be. Except, thinking about it, they are probably better off. From what I read, they seem to have everything on tap in there. Certainly, when planning this necessary, and unavoidable trip, its availability, never occurred to me. Oh, how we take modern amenities for granted.
For a while, I was with family. Which worked reasonably for connections. Except the actual time spent in the house was minimal. Too many other things to get out and see, or do. Also, if you are a visitor, how much time can you be antisocial, with your mind, or attention on your iPad. Not as much as you are used to doing, that's for sure. As well as that, being abroad, I don't choose to use my home country mobile, it is too expensive. Roaming charges could have easily paid for another trip. I just refused to do it. Therefore, another connection down. Next, in NZ, many cafes only give you an hour of free Internet, without either charging for more, or time running out, to cut you off....crazy.
. The fact that I seldom take advantage of paying for extra time, is complicated. As well as being rather ridiculous. I know it's primarily my stubbornness, but we all have our foibles don't we. Firstly, I say to myself, I have no means of paying on line. Not without setting up a brand new bank account. Which, for reasons I can't go into, I did not want. Secondly, it's goes against the grain to be forced to pay for something I consider should be free. After all, if you only connect, and don't download loads of stuff, how is it a problem? These cafes must buy their connection the same as we public. Why should there be the hour restriction. I hate petty rules, for which I can see no good reason.
The hour restriction is mainly annoying, without being particualrly helpful. Have you ever tried, to do all the things you need to do on line, in an hour? It's virtually impossible to do more than the bare necessities. To be honest, it's totally frustrating. I come out of these places, ready to kill. I'm not good at dealing with frustration. Of course there are a few places where access is not restricted, but none anywhere convenient for me. Another frustration.
Of course we don't need to do all of it do we. We won't be in trouble if we skip the twitter, the Facebook etc. It does become more complicated when it comes to emails however. There are things that have to kept up with, checked on. We can't let our lives at home begin to disintegrate can we. It seems it is all about communication today. Then, with blogging, I have spent considerable time, and effort getting it set up. I want, no I need, to keep the momentum going. As well as that, I download my reading material on line, and look up a thousand things as. I go for my writing. The whole situation is just so restrictive. Crazy...
Being Internet crazy, actually keeps me sane. I don't want to live like a dinosaur. I like being Internet savvy. I enjoy, and relish having so many ways of communicating. Well, I am a Gemini....so nuff said there. I am sure I am not alone in that.
All I can say to you all, is, if you need to go away for any length of time, remember. Be aware that it's a harsh world out there. Particularly, if trying to keep in touch, and enjoy the net. As far as I can see, if you are not Internet crazy when you go away, you certainly will be when you come back......CRAZY, FRUSTRATED.
Out here, in the world of restricted Internet connections....CRAZY