I’ve been kinda-sorta quiet online. You might think I chose the quiet, reflective life, but no, my absence isn’t that easily explained.
Gratuitous photo of a Texas Panhandle sunset.
You see, I made an extended road trip to Florida, and just before getting to the Pueblo, Colorado city limits, I realized I had forgotten my computer. It would have taken an hour to drive back and set off again just to get to the same spot in the road. “Not a problem,” you might say, “Those little handheld devices called smart phones will see you through the two weeks.”
Normally, I would agree, but it was later in the trip that I realized my ancient and antique iPhone plus a new cell carrier that had fallen down on the job would leave me without the internet (without WiFi), and barely with calling and texting capabilities. By Day 6, and parked in one of the most remote areas in mid-central Florida, twenty miles from the nearest highway and forty miles from the nearest town, I became considerably alarmed and very antsy.
Breathe, I said to myself, just breathe…while I was chasing away no-see-ums and mosquitoes the size of small helicopters. (I was savagely bitten. I’m just now getting over it.) Breathing helps a little with the withdrawal symptoms.
Luckily, I had a notebook with me. My journal, to be precise. You know me, I NEVER travel without one. I also had quite a collection of pens, too. Sometimes, it’s kismet to be disconnected. I scribbled furiously, as without internet, I was unable to retrieve email, check on my X account, or talk to anyone, or text them. (Most of my friends were within shouting distance.) I thought of phrases and book titles and haiku and situations for my characters. I hadn’t hand written this much in months. It was almost like being in the late 1990s!
Even talking to the carrier (several times) didn’t help. When I returned home, I was still unable to get most of my email, after trying every trick in the book. Friday, I called the tech section of my carrier, who informed me that Colorado is the worst place for their service (unless you live in Denver. Then you might be able to get a phone call through.). I was happy for her candor, but I’m still stuck until Tuesday when I have an appointment with another provider. This just might be the day! when I return to the rest of the world. Yay! In the meantime, I don’t stray far from the home WiFi, which is not the best.
I hate the modern times.
How was the trip? I enjoyed myself. I like driving, no, I really love driving. I would have stayed on the road longer, but I was on a schedule. I like seeing other places, eating the local food, talking to the local people. I’m not so much a touristy tourist, and I never have been. Give me a non-descript neighborhood to explore and I’m happy. I visited with my friends who no longer live in Colorado, people I had gone to school with a thousand years ago, some friends I made recently. I ate local the whole trip and Yelped all the restaurants we tried. It’s all good.
Once I get the internet thing solved, I will return to editing. I’d wanted to do that on my trip, but you know… Being away from home makes me write like a fiend. Maybe with a new mobile carrier, I’ll plan another road trip, you never know.
Anyway, I’m still here. Plugging away at life as usual.
