"THE THING ABOUT QUOTES ON THE INTERNET IS YOU CAN NOT CONFIRM THEIR VALIDITY" - ABRAHAM LINCOLN

Often, you never realize how reliant you are on something until it’s gone. That’s the case with internet for me. Not being a smart phone owner, I just have the average access-internet-through-your-computer reliance on this technology. However, ever since our former apartment was struck by lightning, had the power knocked out, and created issues with our wireless routing capability, internet use been limited and spotty. Now, in my new place without any internet, I’ve been reduced to only using the net at work and pawning access at local bagel shops and the library. *insert first world problem quip here* haha. It seems like such a small thing in light of other important issues, but this posting is not meant to be taken terribly seriously.

Thankfully, this is not my situation :)

Without the internet, I’ve been reminded of life in the past. You know, back before we used the net to check phone numbers and maps and actually used a telephone book and atlas. Or when we rented movies to watch instead of streaming them from online. Or when we would actually call someone up and chat or meet in person to discuss our lives instead of stalking Facebook and emailing. Oh, yes. Times when we would read a book instead of killing countless hours on YouTube or skimming the latest greatest whatever.

It takes me back to my more recent reminder of no power – the memorable Springfield ice storm in 2007. Days after the spring semester started, the town was slammed with ice that broke tree limbs, downed power lines, and left the city without electricity for days or, in some cases, weeks. My roommate and I hunkered down at her relatives’ place, learned to crochet, cooked on a gas stove, read books outloud as a family, played board games, watched movies until the laptop battery died, and went to bed when the sun did. Good times.

Ice storm - Springfield - January 2007

Ice storm - Springfield - January 2007

Actually, it's been good to take a slight break. It forces me to re-focus on what is important. Just the other day I was reading in a magazine about families needing to designate a "no-tech" zone where members are required to leave all their electronics in a basket before entering. The article went on to list resorts that offer tech-free getaways for people who just can't unplug on their own - a place where families can focus on activities such as cooking, hiking, and playing games together. What a sad commentary on modern society.

Perfect illustration. You know you've seen this scenario in person.
Thank you google images.

Considering all these things, though, I’m still looking forward to having internet back in easy reach and at the access of my fingertips. I may be a little older than the generation that demands certain technological “necessities” (you know, the ones that can’t even put their phone down in the hospital when the doctor is assessing them because they might need to update their f/b status), but progress has its place J Here's to moderation in modern times!