The Net Effect

Friday, October 17, 2014

For the first time in a long time, I am without Internet. I don’t know how it happened. I’ve had problems with it for months. Originally, they told me it was my router. Since it was 4 yrs old, I thought it possible, so I bought a new one for nearly $70. I don’t like it as much as my old one.

Today, the net went down again. For good. Tech support for the ISP said it was my modem. I went and bought a new one, for $96. No, I do not have a pot of gold. I don’t even had a wallet of quarters. I got home and hooked it up. Guess what. I still have no Internet.

After a second call to tech support they thought “something else” as going on that they couldn’t fix. I explained the economics of my situation to him in a fairly irate voice. I pointed out if my equipment was new then it must be his network that was the problem. He didn’t want to agree with me but when faced with my obvious knowledge in this area, he said, “I can’t fix whatever it is.”

“They why don’t you connect me to the person who can.”

A tech will be out on Tuesday morning. Yes, Tuesday. So, no internet between now and then. Oh I can go somewhere and get online and that’ll be fine. I’ll be at a writers’ meeting tomorrow afternoon. I can run over to the library or McDonald’s in the morning. I’m not upset by not having the service. I’m upset at the $170 I’ve spent on their say so. I don’t believe I even needed new equipment.

So, as Mike pointed out, “You’ll have plenty of time to write, Mom.”

This is true. 

October 21, 2014

That was then. I didn't write much. I spent the time doing laundry, at a writer's meeting, and at church. Today, the internet is up. The tech, James, came by and stood in the office door and said, "I know what your problem is. They didn't set up your modem in our system. Did he ask for your modem information?" 

"Yes they did. How do you know they didn't?"

He held up his phone. "I can see it right here."

He made a call and in moments the net was up and working. So, we chatted for about 45 minutes and he suggested I buy a Mac.  Hey, I paid for his time. 

That doesn't sound right but I'm letting it stay.

Now, the laundry has been folded, hung up, and put away. I have another load to wash soon but I'll give it a bit. I've answered NaNo emails, personal emails, and caught up on FB. I'll catch up on G+ but lately there's been precious little of interest there. I need new friends or maybe I just need a real life. November will give me lots to do. 

On Sunday, my new Co-ML, Tammy came by and we got out gift bags set up. I have some other items I need to run off and put in there. We're going to have our kickoff party on November 1 at the library. 

Sarah will be home shortly and my evening will become a bit hectic for a few hours. Once she's done her homework, she'll hit the road and play for a few hours before bedtime. I've spent far too long online this afternoon but hey, I did without for 4 days! I told Sarah last night we'd have internet back on tonight. 

She said, "Oh, I don't care." Then a few seconds later she glanced over her shoulder at me and asked, "When will Grimm be back on?" 

I laughed and told her I'd check. 

She said, "It's usually Saturdays."

For those uninformed, Grimm is a tv show based on the legend of the Grimm Brothers and the fairy tales. It is not your average fairy tale. When she was about 4 or 5 I was sitting at the computer watching it and she came in and climbed on my lap and asked me what I was watching. I wasn't paying attention but then realized, it might be a very scary show for a child that age. (It took me a while to get readjusted to younger minds.) Something slithered across the screen and I gasped and covered her eyes. "You don't need to be watching this!" 

She pulled my hand off her face and in her sweet, little voice said, "Oooo, what's that?" The deed was done. From that point on, she was a fan and has watched every show she could with me. Since I watch online I could always wait to watch until she came over and that was generally on Saturdays. Each week she ask, "When is Grimm on?" She never gets scared and thinks the werewolf is very cool. I do, too. 

In My Neck of the Woods....

One room done. Yes, one room. I worked on the Red Room all week and finally have it all sorted out, closet cleaned, and everything arranged. That is "Sarah's room", if she ever sleeps in there. 

After I did the one room I decided to just move down the hallway, one room at a time. I'm now working on the middle room, the smallest bedroom and where the desktop computer is stationed. I began work on the closet today. I did pretty good but there is still too much stuff.

The small room is like an office but I'm really tired of the huge desk I have in there. I need to get rid of it but I hate to just dump it. I don't know if anyone would buy it either. It is a beautiful desk but too large for most places. I just really want it gone. I have a smaller, more efficient desk at Mike's that I can get back. Just needs painting. And I should do it. It would make things much easier. I just have no place to put all the stuff in the current desk. I'd  have to buy a cabinet and that's just more stuff. 

I have way too much furniture and I think about getting rid of some of it but never do. Every stick is used. Except for all the seating. I seldom have company but when I do, I need it. My house is small with very little efficient storage. Even my bathroom has no cabinets. In the 50's people lived with less. So, I'm considering shelving in some areas. Sarah has my huge bookcase in her room because all her books and toys fit on it. 

Sometime in the last couple of weeks I've caught a cold. Sarah has one, too, so I've probably got it from her. I think it all started as allergies. We both have them. It has turned into to a upper respiratory issue. She's worse than me. She has asthma and her colds turn into something worse this time of year. 

I'm going to bed now. This isn't a very good post but it is what is happening here. Frankly, I can live with very little drama. 

Golden-Haired Angels and Monkeys with Leprosy

Sarah has two sock monkeys that she received as a gift from Jilly, my friend in England about three or four years ago, after Jerry died. When she got them she just loved them and played with them a lot. Then she grew bored and they ended up in the toy box. Because of their special nature, I put them in a safe place. Off and on she'd play with them for a bit and then forget them again. 

They're rather calm about it, as if they know Sarah's quixotic nature when it comes to toys. She never discards them permanently, each one has a name and a turn to enjoy her company. She decides when that will be.  

On Wednesday, Sarah brought in her green sock monkey and said, "Mawmaw, I think he has leprosy. Can you please fix him?"

I was briefly speechless. I looked at her, laughed and said, "Leprosy! What are you talking about." 

She held him up and said, "See, he's got leprosy. Would you fix him?"

One look and I realized that she was fairly accurate in her diagnosis. The green guy's left arm was falling off and his tail was in serious trouble as well.

 I looked at Sarah and remembered that some time ago, and I can't remember how long it was, I'd had this conversation with someone about leprosy and that you could catch it from eating armadillos. Sarah was present and overheard me. I remembered her asking what is leprosy. I told her it was a disease that causes nerve damage and explained the loss of fingers and other body parts as a result of it.  

I examined the patient and agreed that, indeed he had leprosy. I gathered my instruments and prepped the patient. Surgery took about 30 minutes. Recovery was rapid indeed and the newly renamed Socky was released to his keeper. 

Today, he is very busy. He, his brother/sister, and Sarah are involved in some sort of adventure in one corner of the living room. I've heard the word 'jungle' and am a bit concerned about the recurrence of the leprosy. Still, I suspect Sarah will keep an eye on them and report if there is any indication of a relapse. My instruments are nearby and I am certain we can repair any damage.