Internet Addiction

My laptop and I are carrying on an affair. We meet for 4-5 hours a day, and engage in clandestine blogging, networking and reading.

Sometimes we look at racy pictures.

My poor bulky desktop can’t even write to me to patch things up, because about a month ago, I accidentally disconnected it from the internet, so it’s pretty much incommunicado.

I’m facing a similar situation next week. It’s a terrifying prospect: Vacation.

Seriously, I’m grateful for the break. Also, I love visiting with family, and may get the chance to finally meet my sister-in-law’s long-term boyfriend, if he comes along. We met briefly in NYC, but haven’t exchanged more than, I’d say, 6 words? So, I’d like to get to know him better, if only to determine if I can deem him worthy of Cass, who is one of the few sincerely sweet human beings on the planet.

But, back to the issue at hand. No internet. Zeus above, what will I do? All my friends (and I hope, my colleagues) have learned that contacting me via email, Facebook, Twitter, etc. is the fastest way to get a response from me. Other than face-to-face, my communication is strongly reliant on my internet connection.

No, it’s not time for an intervention. And I’ve come up with a solution (or more accurately, my husband has) using his cell phone, my rapidly aging (in old-school SAT analogy format, technology years : people years : : people years : dog years) laptop, and some other hoodoo like standing on my head at midnight.

So, whew! Saved by technology (or am I?) again. As an alternative, I’ve been considering this crazy idea of writing letters. These are those ink-smeared pieces of paper that you crumple into a square and drop in those big blue metal things that your Netflix go into when you’re done with them.

Ooh, snap.

Actually, at some point I plan to write a post on the handwritten letter, and its impact, especially in a technology-addicted world.

As a teaser – if you question the written letter as a valid form of communication in a 2.0 world, think about how great it is when someone sends you a personalized letter.

I actually wrote one of those things while waiting for an appointment today. Someday soon, I might even get stamps and mail it.

Arg (yes, that’s ARG, like a pirate in pain because he stepped on a sea urchin), I’ve got to upgrade my phone plan to include internet.

Image Credit: laptop, desktop, facebook widget, sat test, mailbox & note.