Internet Dependency

I never thought of myself as Internet dependent. Like so many alcoholics or users I was the kind of person that said to myself, “I can quit anytime I want to.”
I am writing this blog post in a Word Document. Why you ask? Because when I got up this morning, finished my routine of using the bathroom, but not getting dressed and sat down in my PJ’s for my morning dose of computer time. I started out opening the email and checking for new mail.
To my surprise there was an error that popped up and said that the server name was invalid, or that the server might be temporarily down. Hmmm. So I checked the Internet, preparing to start my usual morning perusal of the blogs on my favorites list. Upon opening Internet Explorer I again found an error. Our internet was not working.
I checked the router, the DSL modem, etc. It was all a go. I figured the kids must have messed with something, so I decided to wait for D to get home for lunch so I could ask him about it. When he was finally home I mentioned to him that the Internet was not working. He replied that he knew that, and that there had been some kind of fire somewhere and all the Internet and phone services were down to some extent. I can call people that start with the same exchange as I do, but I can’t call across the bay to the town five minutes away because the exchange is different. I can call a 1-800 number. I know because I tried using the calling card to talk to my Mom and Sister (you have to have something to do when there is no Internet) and it worked.
No big deal…this was my thought…I can go without the Internet for a while. Do you believe me? If you don’t…you are smart. Here is the list of things I thought about looking up on the Internet today.
Recipes
Serving sizes (I am putting together a how to eat on a cheap budget cookbook for my sister Ezre-not her real name-who is getting married next month).
Web M.D. or an equivalent that can give me horrific ideas as to why I was experiencing severe abdominal pain. It would have been nice to try to figure out how long I have to live…
Beach house rentals
My online Scrabble game that I am playing against my Mom (she is winning)
The weather for this weekend
Songs that would be good for a wedding slide show (I am doing one for Ezre’s wedding, but she doesn’t want anything too traditional. She likes to be unique.)
And of course the 30++++ blogs I frequent on a regular basis.
Not to mention I was supposed to write a Fiction Friday post for today (and I should be writing that now so it will be ready…instead I will probably catch it up on Monday…we have family coming this weekend.)
Still…I survived…I can make it a whole day without the Internet…WAIT! Did I just hear a Virus update! My Internet is BACK! I am off to catch up! I promise I will do a late version of Fiction Friday soon.