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I can't imagine life without the internet, and I'm not sure if that's a really sad notion. I'm 25, so I can remember a time before the internet, and in some ways it makes me sort of nostalgic. I remember when all my friends would come over to play Mario Kart, or how I fell in love with skateboarding and only ever stayed home to sleep.
I sometimes wish I could detach myself from the internet, but it's such an important part of my life.
Another great blog, Elsa. Very thought provoking.
I sometimes wish I could detach myself from the internet, but it's such an important part of my life.
Another great blog, Elsa. Very thought provoking.
When my wife and I went to Costa Rica for 2 weeks earlier in the year, we had no internet at all. We thought that it would be hard to survive without it, because in the past when we've had our internet go out in our house, we've had a hard time living with out it. As it turns out, we LOVED not being connected to the net.
As the days went on without internet access, we thought less and less about what was going on in other people's lives. We didn't care about our twitter feeds or our Facebook updates. We didn't care what the world thought of the latest and greatest movies, music, and video games. We were alone in our own little private part of the world and we LOVED it.
When we first flew back into the States, I remember looking around in the airport and noticing how every single person was doing something on the smartphones. They were all addicted to being connected, and we had finally broken that addiction. I had absolutely no desire to even turn my phone back on.
Now everything's back to normal and I'm back to being connected to the internet all the time ... but I yearn for those days when I didn't need it. Maybe when I retire I'll just move to an island some where with no internet.
As the days went on without internet access, we thought less and less about what was going on in other people's lives. We didn't care about our twitter feeds or our Facebook updates. We didn't care what the world thought of the latest and greatest movies, music, and video games. We were alone in our own little private part of the world and we LOVED it.
When we first flew back into the States, I remember looking around in the airport and noticing how every single person was doing something on the smartphones. They were all addicted to being connected, and we had finally broken that addiction. I had absolutely no desire to even turn my phone back on.
Now everything's back to normal and I'm back to being connected to the internet all the time ... but I yearn for those days when I didn't need it. Maybe when I retire I'll just move to an island some where with no internet.
AAAHHHHH! Crisis!
Not that I derive enjoyment from your misfortune but how you coped without internet was very amusing!
If you're on MAG tonight, I'll pop in.
Not that I derive enjoyment from your misfortune but how you coped without internet was very amusing!
If you're on MAG tonight, I'll pop in.
@Yamagato... yeah, I was actually surprised at how panicked I felt when he said 3 days with no internet! I unfortunately don't have a cell phone, so I didn't even have that option. It was very unsettling.
@SilverDragon... that sounds heavenly! I think if I was in a totally different environment and with a bunch of people I wouldn't miss it so much. Part of the problem is that since I've retired from work, almost all of my socialization is via the internet either through websites or online gaming. Maybe when my husband retires and is around the house more during the day I won't miss the internet so much!
@Byronic.. yeah, I did play last night and we actually won a game or two. I'll likely be on tonight... and will hopefully see you then! :)
@SilverDragon... that sounds heavenly! I think if I was in a totally different environment and with a bunch of people I wouldn't miss it so much. Part of the problem is that since I've retired from work, almost all of my socialization is via the internet either through websites or online gaming. Maybe when my husband retires and is around the house more during the day I won't miss the internet so much!
@Byronic.. yeah, I did play last night and we actually won a game or two. I'll likely be on tonight... and will hopefully see you then! :)
Nice tension building there Elsa, I could almost touch it that's how thick it was! Man , what a nightmare.. cheers for babysteppes though, that's the way to change / progress! Nothing happens over a night! I Love your blogs!
103 minutes of your life wasted on the phone with the cable company. I've been there.
Welcome back online.
Welcome back online.
My former bitch of a landlord never paid the cable bill on time. I'm not exaggerating either. Every month like clockwork for over 2 years the cable and internet would get shut off, and I'd have to call and hassle her about paying the bill. For a day or two every month I wouldn't know what to do with myself. I couldn't play online games, browse the internet or even do my homework. You don't realize how much you rely of that connection until it's gone.
I hate having my connection cut with steam games. I can play them offline, sure. But I have to go online to go-offline. And I can't. FUCKING GENIUS.
Whip out an old Snes or Nes for a few hours, it works.
Whip out an old Snes or Nes for a few hours, it works.
yeah, one time i went a whole week without internet. The first few days were dreadful but after the third day i got used for not having and i was just looking my email sometimes. When i connected my friends was thinking that i died O.o, this just makes how much we are connected and wired to the internet and how is such a dependence for us.
I know that pain I have to deal with a crappy Cisco modem as well.
Despite the fact that I spend far too much time on the internet I think I would be alright without it for awhile. Most of my games aren't online and I could always do some drawing or something.
I dread to think what would happen to the world if the internet suddenly vanished.
Despite the fact that I spend far too much time on the internet I think I would be alright without it for awhile. Most of my games aren't online and I could always do some drawing or something.
I dread to think what would happen to the world if the internet suddenly vanished.
I know exactly how you feel. I used to think it was a bad thing - coming home, playing games, chatting with people online, not really having much of a "real" social life...but after being insanely busy for the past month and not really able to do much, I've come to realize that it's not just a routine - it's my life. And I love it. This is the place I've chosen to have my friends, hobbies, and "journal" in a sense. I don't want anything to take that away from me, including work or shitty ass Comcast. Glad you're back. :]
Glad to hear you survived that. Clockwork is going through the exact same thing right now for about 2 weeks. He's surviving by leeching some person's internet. I'll post about my BF3 experience in a bit. I should've hit you up on MAG for some company but I had a long day yesterday cause of life and BF3. I might on tonight then if you're on for old time's sake.
lol, I went through a internetless period a couple of months back. Damn near killed me, thank god for Fallout!
I blame my childhood obesity on dial-up. That being said, I'm usually a big fan of your work, but this blog just kind of make me blah, of course I'm having a blah day. Though I think the meds are kicking in and soon I'll be slurring and walking around with a Mr. Andy Dixon in mis pantalonas.
At the start of the year, we had a large storm and a branch got blown of a tree at the bottom of my street and snapped the telephone line. It took BT 4 weeks to fix it. I was stuck using my i-phone on the patchy 3G signal out here, it was terrible.
Thing is I don't watch TV anymore, but I still read quite a bit and listen to music so I found myself ploughing through quite a few books in the down time. Was a good thing really, I found myself not desperate for the web. Guess I'm not totally addicted yet...
Thing is I don't watch TV anymore, but I still read quite a bit and listen to music so I found myself ploughing through quite a few books in the down time. Was a good thing really, I found myself not desperate for the web. Guess I'm not totally addicted yet...
Cisco stuff is usually actually pretty good stuff :< And expensive :| I don't know bout the modems but they make great routers and switches, for 3x the price of an HP procurve but they're solid :P
Earlier this year I lost internet for a few days and I actually did pretty well. Since I lost a lot of my friends due to some stupid complications, I've had so much free time that I've tried to figure out a lot of ways to fill it.
If you aren't in that great of shape, why not head to the gym? I can usually blast through 2 hours of my day without even thinking about it there. It's also very good for my health.
You could also try some single-player games. Without internet, I couldn't finish Human Revolution, so I broke out Crysis and finally beat it. It felt strange to play a game I disliked, but without internet to connect to Steam, I had to do something.
You could also get some physical books and read those. Reading can be very relaxing and enlightening. If that won't do, why not listen to some old albums you own. I find doing nothing but listening to music tends to make it better.
Still, I do know what you've described. There was a period of time where I was entirely dependent on internet. As it goes now, I use it everyday, but my life doesn't end when I can't access the web.
If you aren't in that great of shape, why not head to the gym? I can usually blast through 2 hours of my day without even thinking about it there. It's also very good for my health.
You could also try some single-player games. Without internet, I couldn't finish Human Revolution, so I broke out Crysis and finally beat it. It felt strange to play a game I disliked, but without internet to connect to Steam, I had to do something.
You could also get some physical books and read those. Reading can be very relaxing and enlightening. If that won't do, why not listen to some old albums you own. I find doing nothing but listening to music tends to make it better.
Still, I do know what you've described. There was a period of time where I was entirely dependent on internet. As it goes now, I use it everyday, but my life doesn't end when I can't access the web.
@KingSigy... the housework was exercise enough! :)
I actually am playing Divinity 2 right now which is single player... but had been playing for a few days and was getting the urge to hear other voices in an online game which is why 3 days struck me rather hard. I also listen to books... while I'm doing housework. I download them from my local library!
In terms of physical books... I always had space issues (I love reading) so I am a total convert to the iPad, though yeah, I could always read a few that I haven't yet read because it holds a shit ton of books! (I also get library books out on the iPad, but again I'm dependent on email and also internet verification for when my loan period is up).
@Dao2.. I've never been a fan of Cisco and have had bad luck with their routers (I'm currently using a TP Link router which is so great that I have them flash the Cisco modem/router into a modem only mode).
@Ali D... yeah, I rarely watch TV anymore, it's mostly background noise, though I do enjoy catching up on certain TV series via the iPad.
@Dimmujed... there was no internet when I was a kid! LOL! No video games either... just a stick and a hoop! (and this was just a fast rant, not really a thinking blog).
@Wrenchfarm... yeah I almost always have a wrpg game on the go, but still get the urge for human voices that don't say the same things over and over and over again! :)
Red... YES, mongoose and I will go on MAG tonight... I have a bunch of questions about BF3. Saw your blog but am cooking dinner and will comment/ask questions on it tomorrow. Regarding Clockwork... exactly my point... I've missed him lately (and was worried about him). My social life is digital.
@Caitlin.... exactly! This is my "cheers" bar... and not having it makes me want to take up drinking!
@Pencoin... I've been without for a few hours before... but the thought of 3 whole days was really awful... thank goodness I remembered my old modem!
@Henriquegds... if I had to go an entire week I would like walk the 2 blocks to our local Best Buy store and use their free wifi! LOL!
@Nic... Yeah, even single player games nowadays so often require an internet connection. :(
@kidplus... ouch!!
@manasteel... yeah, the recent service from my cable company has drastically declined. Usuallly when I call there is a call back option where you input your number and they call you back, but the morning I called I didn't get that option... and it was 103 minutes till he came on the line and that didn't include arguing time!
@kaggen... wrote this yesterday when I had no internet and almost didn't post it because it only peripherally talks about games.. but hey, Dtoid is also sort of a journal place as Caitlin points out... socialization. :)
I actually am playing Divinity 2 right now which is single player... but had been playing for a few days and was getting the urge to hear other voices in an online game which is why 3 days struck me rather hard. I also listen to books... while I'm doing housework. I download them from my local library!
In terms of physical books... I always had space issues (I love reading) so I am a total convert to the iPad, though yeah, I could always read a few that I haven't yet read because it holds a shit ton of books! (I also get library books out on the iPad, but again I'm dependent on email and also internet verification for when my loan period is up).
@Dao2.. I've never been a fan of Cisco and have had bad luck with their routers (I'm currently using a TP Link router which is so great that I have them flash the Cisco modem/router into a modem only mode).
@Ali D... yeah, I rarely watch TV anymore, it's mostly background noise, though I do enjoy catching up on certain TV series via the iPad.
@Dimmujed... there was no internet when I was a kid! LOL! No video games either... just a stick and a hoop! (and this was just a fast rant, not really a thinking blog).
@Wrenchfarm... yeah I almost always have a wrpg game on the go, but still get the urge for human voices that don't say the same things over and over and over again! :)
Red... YES, mongoose and I will go on MAG tonight... I have a bunch of questions about BF3. Saw your blog but am cooking dinner and will comment/ask questions on it tomorrow. Regarding Clockwork... exactly my point... I've missed him lately (and was worried about him). My social life is digital.
@Caitlin.... exactly! This is my "cheers" bar... and not having it makes me want to take up drinking!
@Pencoin... I've been without for a few hours before... but the thought of 3 whole days was really awful... thank goodness I remembered my old modem!
@Henriquegds... if I had to go an entire week I would like walk the 2 blocks to our local Best Buy store and use their free wifi! LOL!
@Nic... Yeah, even single player games nowadays so often require an internet connection. :(
@kidplus... ouch!!
@manasteel... yeah, the recent service from my cable company has drastically declined. Usuallly when I call there is a call back option where you input your number and they call you back, but the morning I called I didn't get that option... and it was 103 minutes till he came on the line and that didn't include arguing time!
@kaggen... wrote this yesterday when I had no internet and almost didn't post it because it only peripherally talks about games.. but hey, Dtoid is also sort of a journal place as Caitlin points out... socialization. :)
I don't know what I'd do here at school without internet. I need it for everything: homework, communication, banking, video games, entertainment, Leafs games, etc. It's kind of depressing but I don't mind it too much. I just need to force myself to go set out on the deck and chill sometimes. Of course when the internet goes out, I get surprisingly good sleep after I freak out for a bit. Down and up early. It can be a pretty big distraction when I don't want to do homework though. Also, sometimes having it crap out means I miss internet drama, such as the whole Workman-gate that happened when my internet went out for over a week a few years ago.
I'm in the same boat for online multiplayer. None of the shooters, outside of the Starhawk beta, are really standing out for me. I'll probably just buy one of them and force myself to stick with it for awhile. Anyways, entertaining blog as always!! ^__^
I'm in the same boat for online multiplayer. None of the shooters, outside of the Starhawk beta, are really standing out for me. I'll probably just buy one of them and force myself to stick with it for awhile. Anyways, entertaining blog as always!! ^__^
So you to MAG is Monday Night Combat to me? Well, I'm a fighting gamer and Ultimate MvC3 is coming out, so I'll be out of the boat at least.
great blog!
I semi-plug-out a few times a year, the 4/5 weekends at EuroNARPs each year are spent 90% without internet though we are there to just play videogames, but in a way it breaks a rut too as it allows me to revisit old classics that I just don't have the time for "at home".
It's not the same as an actual 'unplug' but the effect on my is the same, it's like a 3-day reset, during EuroNARPs there's no such thing as 'outside world' or 'work' or any other worries, just that the end of the NARP is approaching every second :p
I semi-plug-out a few times a year, the 4/5 weekends at EuroNARPs each year are spent 90% without internet though we are there to just play videogames, but in a way it breaks a rut too as it allows me to revisit old classics that I just don't have the time for "at home".
It's not the same as an actual 'unplug' but the effect on my is the same, it's like a 3-day reset, during EuroNARPs there's no such thing as 'outside world' or 'work' or any other worries, just that the end of the NARP is approaching every second :p
All Cisco products must die............and unfortunately, they do! What's funny is that as I'm in the middle of reading your blog my son asks me to hook up the
Wii so he can get his friend code, only it needs to be reconnected to the router. But I can't get into the router because it's locked me out. The standard IP isn't working. Now I'm in a panic that if something else goes wrong (like not being able to connect to Live on the Xbox) I'll be stuck with no gaming and a two hour phone session. Think it's time for a new router.
Wonderful blog Elsa, and one we can all relate to. Even my mom's internet dependent - and she's in her late 60s!
Wii so he can get his friend code, only it needs to be reconnected to the router. But I can't get into the router because it's locked me out. The standard IP isn't working. Now I'm in a panic that if something else goes wrong (like not being able to connect to Live on the Xbox) I'll be stuck with no gaming and a two hour phone session. Think it's time for a new router.
Wonderful blog Elsa, and one we can all relate to. Even my mom's internet dependent - and she's in her late 60s!
@Jaded... if you need a new router, look at the TP Link brand. I bought the TL-WR1043ND for only $49.00 though Best Buy online and it's been rock solid. Best router I ever bought... I run two wired PS3's, one wireless Xbox, an iPad and an iPod through the thing and have never had any droppages or issues at all. In fact the Cisco unit is a router/model combo, but I get them to flash it into bridge mode so that it only acts as a modem and I can use my own router. I got my Mom one too... her old router didn't have the range this one does and they have a big house. Like your Mom, my Mom too is now internet-dependent and adores her iPad. Like daughter like mother! :)
@mistic... I should unplug every once in awhile but the only gaming thing I do is PAX and internet is essential at PAX to find out what everyone else is doing and where dinner is and where the Dtoiders are! Maybe I'll unplug for a few days over Christmas at some point... and just try going without internet for more than a few hours!
@Strider... yeah, MAG is currently my go-to game for social interaction but I desperately need a new one. I'm reconsidering BF3 and will wait and see how the FNF game plays out - if it's easy to connect up with friends and play. That's my main requirement in an onine game nowadays.
@Celica... I soooo hope that I get into the Starhawk beta! It will keep me busy with a new online game for a bit! (and I totally forgot about banking... yeah, I too do all my banking via the net and it's been years since I've even seen the inside of a bank or written a physical cheque for anything!)
@Epic... I did survive the big PSN outage, but I did end up getting the 360 simply because I missed online play so much. Now that PSN is back up and my gold level has expired, I mainly use the 360 for exclusive (or cheap) games that I can't get for the PS3. Divinity 2 is actually rather good! :)
@mistic... I should unplug every once in awhile but the only gaming thing I do is PAX and internet is essential at PAX to find out what everyone else is doing and where dinner is and where the Dtoiders are! Maybe I'll unplug for a few days over Christmas at some point... and just try going without internet for more than a few hours!
@Strider... yeah, MAG is currently my go-to game for social interaction but I desperately need a new one. I'm reconsidering BF3 and will wait and see how the FNF game plays out - if it's easy to connect up with friends and play. That's my main requirement in an onine game nowadays.
@Celica... I soooo hope that I get into the Starhawk beta! It will keep me busy with a new online game for a bit! (and I totally forgot about banking... yeah, I too do all my banking via the net and it's been years since I've even seen the inside of a bank or written a physical cheque for anything!)
@Epic... I did survive the big PSN outage, but I did end up getting the 360 simply because I missed online play so much. Now that PSN is back up and my gold level has expired, I mainly use the 360 for exclusive (or cheap) games that I can't get for the PS3. Divinity 2 is actually rather good! :)
ooops... the TP Link was $69.00, not $49.00... thought that was a few years ago and it might well be a lower price now!
@Elsa.. Yeah, the routers I've looked at are more around the $69.00 price tag, but I haven't checked since last year. The new one only lasted 6 months before we started having problems with it, hence my reason for not wanting anything Cisco. Unfortunately, they're the brand in the cheap price range..
My main issue has been with Xbox Live and not being able to get out of moderate or strict NAT, despite following instructions to change it to open NAT, so that's going to be a factor in which one I purchase this time around. Nothing more frustrating than having people on your friends list and not being able to connect because of the NAT. ><
My main issue has been with Xbox Live and not being able to get out of moderate or strict NAT, despite following instructions to change it to open NAT, so that's going to be a factor in which one I purchase this time around. Nothing more frustrating than having people on your friends list and not being able to connect because of the NAT. ><
NAT on both the PS3 and Xbox worked out of the box with the TP Link - but that's because UPNP was enabled. If your router has an option to enable UPNP then that seems to resolve NAT issues.
... not sure if that helps though as I've never had an issue with NAT for some reason (I get NAT 2 on both PS3 units and also the 360).
... not sure if that helps though as I've never had an issue with NAT for some reason (I get NAT 2 on both PS3 units and also the 360).
