When we moved at the end of June last year into a very small cabin-like home, I decided to store my big, very old and bulky PC and forgo internet service. It wasn't a big deal to me because I had access to the internet at work and I've "gone without" similar luxuries before (3 years without any kind of television service). After nine months without an internet connection at home, I finally caved. And not only did I finally have internet service at home, but I also bought a new laptop (which I love!!!) with the help of my techie BFF.
I decided to make my way back into the realm of the 21st century, not because I was having withdrawals and couldn't live without it, but because it was frustrating that every time we wanted to look something up we couldn't. Every time we wanted to check a bank balance or try to make vacation plans or look for ideas to redo the closet, we had to either bug someone else or do it after work. It was inconvenient.
For me, it is still a tough adjustment. I hate paying so much for internet service. I hate paying for a lot of things though. =) Particularly, where we live (in the boonies), there are very few options for internet service providers. There is no real competition. You either take what you can get or you don't get.
I also find myself wasting a lot of time checking Facebook and checking my email (and I get very few emails of substance from friends and family). The internet can certainly be addicting, as is television (one of the reasons I didn't have it before and would prefer not to have it now). So, I'm going to try to make a pact with myself to be productive when online and limit my internet play time.
Now, I'm considering a new phone. My phone is very outdated and is a flip-phone.
**Pausing for laughter**
My tech savvy BFF is pointing me in the direction of an Andriod phone. It's so very frustrating though. Not only are they expensive to buy, but you get locked into this 2-year contract with your service provider (in this case, Verizon and formerly Alltel which I liked a great deal better) and you have to pay an arm and a leg for an additional data plan. Let's not forget that I'm already paying a small fortune for a phone plan for minutes that I hardly use because of my Friends & Family numbers (people you can call without using your minutes), but without that specific plan, I don't have the Friends and Family numbers. Not to mention that, because I live in the boonies and rely on my cell phone at home, I have limited service in my area so I have to stick with this service provider because others have very spotty service here. I would think, by now, these cell phone companies could get their act together and actually provide service everywhere (or maybe they can and just don't). What a crock! It seems no matter what it is today (internet, cell phones, satellite/cable, gasoline), you have very few actual choices as the consumer. The service providers get you coming and going. It just pisses me off and that is why I have avoided for so long taking the plunge.
Eventually, I will have to decide what to do because my phone is truly on it's last leg. I just hate the added cost of all of it. I am slowly re-entering the 21st Century though. One step at a time.
No comments:
Post a Comment