Day 34: Missing in action

You may have noted my absence this week. I had a black out - the internet was down.

Funny how small life conveniences shut you down nowadays when they don't work. I have thought a bit about the frustration that is caused when connectivity drops or a service is not as quick as expected. I find myself getting worked up over something tiny that impacts my "luxury-added" modern quality of life. Phone service in my apartment (and in Indonesia) is spotty. Internet can be pretty fast, but, even when you pay a premium, the speed can also be slow or spotty. Calling a cab with a phone app (or even using Uber) is possible but not always reliable. Checking in for your flight online and choosing your seats is a great convenience, but sometimes you show up at the airport and do not get what you thought you selected. You sit down with your popcorn to stream a movie and the service is glitchy. A Skype date with your husband is sabotaged. All of these minuscule things cause me to break down a little bit and require a personal reset.

Perhaps it is the illusion of possibility that makes our heads steam. In some ways, it was easier when I lived abroad without Internet and without the convenience of constant access to information and communication. My expectations were that transactions would take a lot of time and involve traipsing from one office to another to stand in line. Now, nearly everyone has some connectivity, even in the most rural areas. It makes the small things seem more wrong because we know that they should and sometimes do work.

Me? I did steam about my internet, make phone calls to the company, and feel inconvenienced. But, ultimately, I just took a digital break and read my book before falling asleep. Patience and appreciation are good reminders in a world that is demanding and fast.