My name is CookieCakes, and I am a webaholic.
Over the last few years, my husband has often accused me of having a “soft addiction” to the internet, especially once I became a blogger. How ridiculous is that? Blogging is a fun hobby, as is surfing the web to find ideas. Like any hobby, it can be given up without any grief whatsoever. Ah, but can it be given up so easily?
My computer had been acting weird for the last few weeks, especially when accessing the internet. I just figured it was an older computer with limited storage space. I knew it was reaching capacity, so I bought an external hard drive and began transferring files to that. It seemed to help.
But I was still having trouble occasionally accessing certain websites. When the WordPress site failed to load, I just figured WP was playing games again, and I found a different way in by going to another blogger’s WP site and tracking back to my site. That worked for awhile.
Then the unthinkable happened. It was a Saturday, and I had just sat down to upload Victo Dolore’s guest post. I clicked on my WP shortcut and immediately got a message that the website address could not be located.
Say what? Did I tick WP off somehow? I had just renewed my annual subscription, but maybe they were upset that I didn’t upgrade to premium? Were they incensed that I signed up for the “no advertising” option? Ok, WP, I’ll beat you at your own game like I did last time.
So I tried to go onto another blogger’s website, which I had as a favorite. Nothing.
Hmmm. WP must really be pissed. What on earth could I have done?
I tried Yahoo, Google and AOL. Nothing.
Now realized it wasn’t WP at all. It was the ENTIRE INTERNET! Nooooo.
I checked all the connections between the computer, the modem, the keyboard, the wall. Everything looked A-OK.
My husband heard me swearing and came downstairs to tell me that he had the same issues with his laptop, and that a few nights before he had solved the problem simply by shaking the modem. I tried that. Nothing.
The modem lights were on, but nothing was happening. Time to call Time Warner.
Have you ever tried to call your internet provider? On a Saturday? Good luck with that.
I dialed the number on the Time Warner invoice and got a recorded message to the effect that there were service issues in my area, which were being resolved. I decided to wait it out.
Several hours later, I tried the internet again. Nothing. Time Warner has lied in the past, so I decided to go the next step. The last time I had internet problems, I was able to resolve them online with Time Warner – but how could I do that today when the internet wasn’t connecting?
A light bulb went off in my little brain – I now have that LG table that I bought from Sprint! And it works on the Sprint network as well as wifi! Yippee!
So, I dragged that baby out and powered it up. Bear in mind that I had never really used it and was totally unfamiliar with its operation. But it was time to learn. I got onto the Sprint network, accessed the internet, and managed to get to the Time Warner website, which thankfully has a Live Chat function.
The tech verified that there were no outages in my area (told ya, didn’t I?) The tech told me to check the connections (already did so) and reboot the modem (already did that three times). According to their system, everything looked OK: the modem was communicating with them just fine, but for some reason it just wouldn’t talk to my computer. The tech was very polite and determined to help me.
But then the tablet crashed. I had thought it was fully charged, but apparently not.
Now I had no computer access and no tablet. *sigh* Have to use the PHONE again. So, I dialed and got the exact same recorded message (hello, your own rep told me there are no outages, liar!). I chose a different option and got a recorded message telling me to check the connections, reboot the modem … at which point I screamed something like, “Dammit I already did all that!” It was a voice-activated system, and the immediate response was a very polite, “Ok, let me connect you to a customer service representative.”
I had to explain the Live Chat I had just gone through so the new tech could assist me. We got to a point where the new tech asked me to check the serial number on the back of the modem, and I couldn’t find one. When I again picked up the phone, the call had been TERMINATED.
The third time I called Time Warner, I’m afraid I wasn’t particular polite, especially since I had to go through the same two recorded messages I’d already heard the last two times. Finally, I got a tech who reviewed the other two techs’ notes, checked the system, and determined that it was an internal problem in the modem itself. The modem was almost 10 years old, and modems only have a life expectancy of 3-5 years. A service call was arranged for installation of a new modem, and yes, they could do it on Sunday afternoon.
The serviceman who came Sunday was a little chatty, but very pleasant and definitely knew what he was doing. He got a little excited when he saw the existing modem – “Wow, I’ve heard about these but never actually saw one! And you still have the original box? Awesome!”
A new modem was installed (and in a better location than the last one), and the serviceman sat down to wait for the verification codes and updates from their system. And wait …. And wait … It was late in the day and he really needed to get home, but he would stay and make sure everything was working properly. I had the privilege of listening to his conversation via speakerphone with the tech guy in the main office – “Well, gee, it should be working. The codes are right. It says it should be working.”
Turned out the new modem was defective (see how my luck runs?). Thank heavens, the serviceman had another one on the truck, and it only took a few minutes to switch them out. And, the Good Lord be praised, all the lights started flashing in the correct order and suddenly, the computer, the laptop, and the tablet (which had been recharged overnight) all had internet access!
Victo Dolore’s guest post was saved!
And I learned that two days without internet access are not something I care to go through again. For two days, I had no idea what was going on in the world – I don’t get a newspaper (had just cancelled it the week before), and I don’t watch TV. Without internet, I am totally lost.
Is that addiction? Or is it a sign of technological advancement?
Don’t know, don’t care. I’m just glad to be back online.
__________
I love to hear from my readers. You may comment on this post, comment on my Facebook or Twitter pages, or email me at cordeliasmom2012@yahoo.com or notcordeliasmom@aol.com
__________
Images by Cordelia’s Mom
Cordelia's Mom, Still 
Woohoo! Now I know the back story. I tell you, I choose to believe it is technological advancement rather than addiction. 🙂
LikeLike
I’m sure it is – ’cause I can stop any time I want.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Welcome back to the bitstream. It’s technology moving us forward. Better this than an addiction to TV.
LikeLike
That may be true. At least with blogging, you’re still in contact with other people.
LikeLiked by 2 people
And here I thought you were busy cooking and being all Martha Stewart like.
Which means I noticed you were gone. I missed you CM. Happy to have you back.
Forgive me. I wrote nice things about you on Facebook again.
Later gator.
LikeLike
Aw, that’s sweet. I’m surprised anyone noticed I was gone for the one day – that makes me feel special.
LikeLiked by 1 person
When something like this happens, one of my friends would always say “Bloody technology!”….LOL. Good to have you back, CookieCakes! └(=^‥^=)┘
LikeLike
Oh, I was calling it something, too, but didn’t use a word as polite as “bloody.”
LikeLiked by 1 person
LOL…ヾ(´▽｀;)ゝ
LikeLiked by 1 person
Lol, wifi gives me the same! But lol!
LikeLike
I’ve only used that tablet on wifi a few times – it’s very hard to find free wifi most of the places I go.
LikeLike
I meant me, my troubles are with my wifi. Same as yours.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ah, I see. I thought I was just technologically incompetent. Good to know others have the same issues.
LikeLike
I don’t think it is addiction, it is you just wanting your s**t working properly!!
On a side note, I went 4 days without wireless (only had my little iPhone 5s) and it kinda sucked something fierce.
LikeLiked by 1 person
It’s a little shocking, isn’t it, when you suddenly don’t have access to any of that stuff you’re used to?
LikeLiked by 1 person
Technology…it’s a love/hate relationship. Glad you are rescued, CM. 💕
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, I feel such peace now. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh this is soooooooo me! Luckily, I have my own personal PC support guy, though he confesses to being a dinosaur with all the new technology out there. Our wifi connection is iffy at the best of times, determined by the number of other people on their boats, the weather (doesn’t like windy days), who is in the office, what time of day etc. Hubby says computers know fear. Mine is always laughing at my terror!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hmmm. I do believe I sometimes hear my desktop, laptop, tablet and phone all conspiring with each other. They think I don’t know, but I do. 🙂
LikeLike
Ha!
LikeLike
You’re not addicted, just devoted (that’s what I tell myself about my addictions, I mean interests!)
LikeLiked by 1 person
I like that viewpoint. I am very devoted to my art. 🙂
LikeLike
Gee. I’m pretty sure I’ve identical experiences, but with Charter Communications. Maybe it really is just one huge cable company and they’ve given different names to some of them to delude us into believe we have something resembling choice? The equipment we get from “our providers” is usually previously used by someone else, and they never check to make sure it’s properly working. It’s all the same, everywhere. We pay, they screw us. Someday, we’ll get to screw them back.
LikeLiked by 1 person
One can only hope. To give Time Warner credit, however, the service guy did stay until everything was working properly. I suspect some of the other guys would have just left when they ran into problems, especially since it was late on a Sunday afternoon.
LikeLike
When you take an internet break, voluntarily, it’s a break. When it’s forced on you????? Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh! But who’s addicted. I don’t see no addiction there ….
LikeLiked by 2 people
Ha! When the power goes out and the internet goes down, come on over to my house and we’ll play Scrabble by candlelight. You know, to keep our minds off it.
LikeLiked by 1 person
It’s a deal. As long as you have running water — that goes at our house along with the power and the internet!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Knock on wood – our water never fails.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I don’t think it’s addiction. I think it’s become so much a necessity. Think of all the services we previously required from paper, television, or phone — now replaced by internet! When we moved into our house, we went 16 days without, because Comcast suuucks. We had to reconcile our checkbook at the local Starbucks, and when we found out we didn’t have all the keys to our new home, it was 10:30pm, and we needed a locksmith. Imagine finding a locksmith at 10:30pm with only a smart phone and no available wifi. It was grueling.
It’s only an addiction if it gets in the way of doing your life. What we have is a new way of doing life. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Your final sentence says it all. Thanks, Joey.
LikeLike
I hate it so much when that happens. Especially because my skills are so poor.
LikeLike
I was a little surprised at how panicked I felt – What? No internet? Especially since we were one of the last people to get a computer.
LikeLike
Old modem? Still got the box?? I know someone like that. Mrs. (and Mr.) G.O.D. I took a malfunctioning modem back to Golden Triangle last year, and the pert young thing up front told me, “That’s not ours. We’ve never had those.” Till the old-timer with the beard came out from the back and said, “I haven’t seen one of those in years.” 😆
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ha! You and I are just too much alike sometimes.
LikeLike
Like father like daughter… I did that to them myself, they can’t believe not everyone wants the newest and fastest thing out there.
LikeLike
I didn’t care how old or new the modem was, I just wanted it to work.
LikeLike
I hear you on that!!! You had one straight out of the box that didn’t work either… glad you got it all sorted out eventually
LikeLike
I suspect that “straight out of the box” was actually a “refurbished” one that TimeWarner had in their storeroom.
LikeLike
Amazingly with all my internet woes and the fact paralyzed turtles are faster than my connection, I wasn’t affected by the TWC outage.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I think it was a very localized outage – most likely limited to only the land my house sits on.
LikeLiked by 1 person
In the Midwest there were a ton of outages.
LikeLike
Ah, maybe the automated system had my location wrong. Who knows? I’m just glad it’s working now.
LikeLiked by 1 person