"It's like you're a cave person"

I was laid off from my job one year ago tomorrow.  I took it like a champ, and immediately reworked my budget canceling all unnecessary expenses.  Things that most people would consider must-haves suddenly became luxuries I could not afford, things like my gym membership, the expensive toilet paper, and internet.  This last one was the most painful.  But given all the free wi-fi around town, and on campus, I figured I wouldn't be completely without internet, I could just run down the road, laptop in hand until an unsecure wi-fi showed up....

I have learned that life without the internet at home is a bit isolating.  At first, I was excited about my newfound "free" time that I previously spent messing around online.  I put this time to good use by cleaning, occasionally cooking (which basically means I made mac & cheese from a box instead of running out to grab take-out), and my favorite, crafting!

I was on campus at least twice a week, so I could check my bank account, pay bills, check facebook (not in that order), and still feel ok about not having access at home.  Then summer hit and suddenly I wasn't on campus as much.  I spent more time in coffee shops, more $$ on coffee and food.

When school started again however, I found that my classes were far more interesting and I didn't want to waste precious class time on facebook instead of participating.  In the last few months, my internet time has become few and far between.

Consequently, I have missed many of my friends birthdays without a daily FB reminder.  I have missed important emails from my bank (and not just the spam ones either!), I've been unable to watch YouTube to help with home repairs (such as a toilet that keeps running), nor have I been able to Google certain facts I need to know at-that-very-minute.

And I have in fact ran down the street, laptop in hand searching for an unsecure wi-fi at midnight to email in a paper that's due at-that-very-minute.  Classy.

I'm starting to get annoyed that I don't have immediate internet access.  And I'm annoying my friends when we go out and I bring my laptop to the bar to check Facebook and respond to my boss' emails.

All this lead me to remember one of my favorite "Friends" quotes; when Rachel tells her mom she doesn't have a housekeeper, her mom responds "It's like you're a cave person!"  I got that same reaction today when I reminded my counselor that I don't have internet at home...she said "Well I knew you canceled it last year, but have you gone the ENTIRE year without internet at home????"  The incredulous look on her face, and her response were a dead ringer for Mrs. Greene :)