Tuesday, June 12, 2018

I want my Internet! by Vonnie Davis

I hate confessing that I'm hooked on something, like sweet tea or chocolate or internet service. But, thanks to Comcast, I've been offline for 5 days and have another 7 to wait for a technician to show up to figure out what's gone wrong.  I might be breaking out in hives.

"My name is Vonnie Davis and I'm an Internet-holic."


Odd that it stopped working a day before I got a recorded message that their equipment showed a problem in my line or my house and to call the number they gave or I might lose service. I smelled something rotten in Denmark as I dialed the number. Dollar signs floated in my vision field--and they were floating away from me, not toward me.

The Indian service rep assured me in a heavy accent that this was not a hoax as I suggested. He promised me their service wouldn't cost me a penny. Maybe so, but how many dollars was I going to have to pay? I mean, when has Comcast done anything for free?

So I have no internet at the house, nor can I watch Netflix on the TV since it requires access to show movies and old TV shows. I'm writing this poor excuse of a blog at MickyD's, using their free wifi.

Internet is my pathway to the outside world. It's how I keep in touch with so many writer friends. I miss it terribly. Yes, I am hooked on social media. *Hangs head in shame!* How did this happen? I'm a sensible person. Really.

Meanwhile I've been updating, rewriting, fixing shallow point of view in a Kindle Worlds novella. I've changed out any references to the Kindle World it was part of and placed it as book number 3 of my "Black Eagle Ops" series. Random House published the first two books of the series and decided they didn't want book 3. I'll have 4, maybe 5 by the time I'm finished self-publishing the complete series. Random House has given me their blessing to use the logo they'd created. Rights to the series after book 2 are mine. So, I'm busy making this novella book length. The cover has been redesigned to omit any reference to Omega Squad and Kindle Worlds.

Wish me luck. I've been working on it from word one all week and only added 4000 or so words. Like Robert Frost "I have miles to go before I sleep."

9 comments:

Jannine Gallant said...

Did you look up the number for Comcast to verify the one they sent you was actually Comcast's real number? I can't believe it's taking them so long to get a technician out. I smell something rotten, too! The good news is you're writing again! Yay, you! What the heck happened with KindleWorlds? Are they pulling down all those books or just not publishing any new ones?

Margo Hoornstra said...

Like Jannine, I'd be very leery of the Comcast 'thang'. I once called a number that was listed on the back cover of a Microsoft Office package and it turned out to be a scam. Two weeks to get to you? How can that be? Be careful. Many congratulations, though, and a great big hug because you're writing again. And with a pretty substantial project in mind to boot. Best of luck.

Andrea Downing said...

Vonnie,like you I go nuts without internet but here's my trick to survive: I use my cell phone as a hot spot. I used to be very careful about the data usage and turn it off immediately after use but now I luckily have unlimited data. My problem is that the house I'm in the process of moving to has very intermittent cell!! I'm going to need a booster on the roof or some such, who knows? How did we survive before internet and cell? Have to say though, Vonnie, sounds like you have yourself sorted out.

Diane Burton said...

Good luck on getting your internet back! I feel like you do about the internet. Yet, when we were on a cruise last year, internet connection cost something like $90, so I went without. I just enjoyed the cruise. It sounds like you're making good use of your time without internet. Like the others, I would call the number on your Comcast bill to make sure the info you got is accurate. Hopefully, the rep you talk is in the U.S. and you can understand him/her.

Angela Adams said...

When my computer was down, I had to go to the library for Internet service. I half hour they gave me just wasn't enough. By the way, your book cover looks good!

Brenda Whiteside said...

You are not alone. But I won't attend the meetings with you because I have no intention of giving up Internet...unless I eventually can't afford it since our King and company is doing away with net neutrality. But consider this, although we are short on face to face friendships, the Internet allows us to make friends with so many people across the globe. I always had a pin pal or two when I was a kid. I love connecting long distance. I've often moaned about the loss of letter writing. It was great fun anticipating and checking the mailbox each day. Now, it's more instant gratification. I'm in an RV park right now in AZ so it's pretty dead...funny how no one wants to spend the summer in 105 degrees in a metal box. The Internet allows me to have some human connection without leaving the AC comfort.

Rolynn Anderson said...

Vonnie, sorry I'm late in commiseration. I can't imagine my world without wi-fi. Hotels and VRBO's we choose HAVE to have internet; when things go down at home, I have my cell phone. But dealing with twitter, FB, loops and other entities are better on the big screen with fast, continuous service. And, yup...I'll pay big money for uninterrupted service. So extravagant...even decadent. Sigh! I am an internetoholic too! I'll see you at the support group :-)

Leah St. James said...

I think we're all internet-aholics! Just the other day The Plot Master and I were talking about how much the internet has helped our writing. Instead of having to trek to the library to peruse the reference section, or travel the world, we can (for example) instantly find out what it's like taking off in a helicopter, thanks to those brave souls who post it in YouTube. I've slacked way off on social media over the last few months as I've gotten back into writing, but I can't do without an online connection! I also wonder why there's such a delay. Keeping my fingers crossed for you that the techie person shows up sooner rather than later!

remullins said...

Oh, the horror of it all. Living out in the boonies, a stray breeze can knock out my internet service and I always go a little berserk until it is back up and running.