22 of the Eighth Month 5770
Last Monday, I completed my move into a new apartment, where, as it turns out, I do not have any Internet access.
I was informed that installing a connection via ground line is not an option, since I do not have any access to a ground line (long story). The routers which occasionally pop up, when I scan for available networks taunt and tease me with password protection or by being just out of range.
I am not thrilled about signing an 18-month contract with one of the local cellphone companies to receive service through a portable modem. What if I move the week after I get such a modem, and then no longer need the service?
That should also answer the next burning question on your minds: No, I do not own a laptop, and thus cannot pick it up and go to one of the free “hot spots” available in Jerusalem, nor can I sneak around my neighborhood, scanning for available networks.
So, what to do?
Unlike those bloggers toying with the idea of taking a break, it seems like a blogging break may have been plopped into my lap.
My only solution seems to be to write at home (where everytime my refrigerator clicks on, I have to unplug and re-plug in my keyboard), carry it to work via disk-on-key, and then upload it to my blog during the one hour of access to a computer I have per week. The same goes for e-mail. Downloading background material and interesting podcasts will have to be done during this hour as well.
I can also go to Internet Cafes, like I am doing now, and hope for a fast enough service so that I do not end up spending two hours on something which should only take me 20 minutes.
My other option is to spend money, I really should be saving for a rainy day, on a laptop, as if I really want to spend a lot of time outside in the cold, or in a jam-packed Jerusalem Central Bus Station, where it is impossible to concentrate.
Now that the withdrawal symptoms are beginning to subside, I think for the time being, I will see how it goes with the “upload at work” option.
Maybe I'll learn more. Maybe I'll read more. Maybe I'll finally write that book(s) I have always wanted to write. Or maybe I'll end up watching all six Harry Potter films so many times, that I'll have them memorized in time for Purim.
Only time will tell.
In the meantime, I will miss tweeting and twoozing with you, as much as I would like.
**SIGH**
Any suggestions will be welcomed.
6 comments:
Ahh, we'll miss your blog, but even once a week or so should be a treat, better than nothing.
And a book...hmmm... sounds great.
Good luck. You can always call...
I expect that we'll see you around on a regular basis.
No practical suggestions.
Hope you find a better solution soon!
By the way, using someone else's wireless is not really ethical unless you get their permission -- you slow down their connection and possible affect their ability to work.
After three upgrades to better connections, we finally figured out that our connections were so slow because others were piggybacking. We password protected our wireless connections and now do not need to pay for higher speed connections.
We were paying more because others did not want to pay. That does not seem fair, does it?
Thanks, everybody, for your words of support.
RivkA, you're right when your slowing down someone's connection and taking bandwidth away. But, many have the opinion that if we don't harm the person in that way, then the connect is public domain.
I am all for public domain!!
If I ever get a smaller and lighter laptop, I will bring it everywhere.
I love it that there are so many places where you can just go, hang out, and log on.....
I was hoping for a post.
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