Saturday, October 10, 2009

Hostel Hostility

My wife says I spend too much time on the internet. She says "it's the internet highway, not the internet hotel (hostel if yer european).

"What about Motel Zero?" I retorted. "That ain't no hostel."

"What are you talking about?" Patti replied.

Sigh. Therein lies the crux of the problem methinks.
The thing is, she's serious. So she recommends (ie suggests, ie lays down the law) a few changes.

Firstly, no more stayin' up late at night (ie we gotta be on the same schedule).
Now, I find it extemely difficult if not impossible to blog during the daytime. There's just too many distractions (IYKWIMAITYD).

Also, we are droppin' MSN dial-up services to save a few bucks which means we hafta use Wildblue, and I wrote about how fascist they are concerning the time they allow one to use the internet without imposing draconian penalties (re: mo' money). I hope they go outta business or at least get some competition out here. Freakin' internet nazi's!

Which leads to secondly, I can only be on the internet highway Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday for a few hours (say what?!). Aye, that makes bloggin' nigh impossible, so is this the end of One Cosmos At Sea? Kinda looks that way, I'm sorry to say.
I mean, it's virtually impossible for me to read One Cosmos in just a few hours, let alone comment or read all the other blogs I love, many of them yours, dear friends.

This has led to a honeydo list on scareroids. Not that there's anything wrong with that. It's not that scary, really, just not preferable, but there'sots of things in reality that ain't preferable.

Change indeed. This following a virus I contracted on my e-mail which caused Patti to change it to usnr_ben at (@) msn.com. That sucked. Put me offline for awhile, such as it is.

Personally, I'm not partial to these changes, but I do admit I oughtta spend more time with my wench, and that's partially why my wench decided to (ahem!) recommend these (cough cough!) changes.

I will do my best to read faster n' type faster in the event I actually have time to comment. Please excuse me while I sing the blues. It has been said the blues can be helpful during times like this. Or at least some songs to commiserate with, while I count my blessings. Man, that's hard to type right now. Okay, I'm thankful I can read n' write again, but I wish I could do it at the speed I used to.

I know, I know. As Skully keeps remindin' me, "you can wish in one hand and sh*t in the other and see which one fills up first."
Actually, I think he's quoting the late, great Burgess Meredith with that quote but it still holds true.
I'll be seeing you guys. More in my dreams than online lately, so it seems my unconcious part of my mind (such as it is) is feelin' the love. :^)

18 comments:

Joan of Argghh! said...

Oh, Ben! My job has made the same demands on me, I'm afraid. But it's still worth it, just to know you are lurkin' when you can.

And hopefully, you're not being over-dramatic and we'll see plenty of you. Hugs to you and Patti!

julie said...

Indeed. Just make sure you pop in every once in a while to say hi. But I completely understand about spending less time on the computer. I did the same this summer, partly for similar reasons, and it really did make a difference.

Jimmy J. said...

But, but, Ben, I always thought the Internet was like the "Hotel California." You know, the one where you can check in but never check out.

Guess I was wrong.

I spend less time on the net these days, mostly because I get frustrated. Seems like we should have solved all the problems by now. In spite of yours and my good comments and advice, things keep going south. Aaaarrrghhhh!

What with the Norwegian joke about the Nobel Peace Prize, our impending withdrawal from Afghanistan(you read it here first), healthcare deformation, Cap and Tax, global warming zealotry, and more; my mind feels like I fell down the rabbit hole with Dorothy.

Anyhow, there's still e-mail.

Later, mate.

JWM said...

Hey Ben, thanks for dropping by the wfb the other day. I can understand the belt tightening baloney. Blog when you can. We'll wait. Sometimes it seems like the prayers for humility and forbearance are the only ones that get answered. Not that I'm complaining, mind you. Those are fine virtues to acquire. But- you know- it'd be nice to learn them in the process of dealing with winning a seven figure lottery prize or something.
Ah well.
Be well, Ben. Know that we're thinking about you.

John M

Anonymous said...

Hi Ben!

I don't know if you are familiar with it or already tried it, but anyway... :)

Some browsers supports kind of a "offline browsing". You simply connect to Internet, visit every all places you wanna, i.e. blogs like OC, and then disconnect again - but you can still read the blogs without having to be online. So you can save a lot of "up time".

Maybe this can help you:
http://pagenest.com/

By all means, I don't want to miss your commenting on OC :)

All the best!

/Johan

Gecko said...

Just missing you Ben so popped by to check in. Life is demanding and it seems sometimes to be on fast forward. You and Patti remain in my heart.

Van Harvey said...

What... you mean you think that flesh of your flesh Patti is more important than virtual html us?
(this would be the part where you shout YES!!! really loud, while Skully shouts Hell YES!!! right along with you)

I'm already missing waking up and reading the always funny and often stirring comments that 'you two' left over night, but if you're helping that One who loves you to feel more loved and happier to boot... what's to consider?

(Shhh! Don't let my wife see that... there'll be no pleading the fifth, I'll be Doomed!!!)

;- )

My very best to you Ben, and I look forward to whenever and whatever messages in a bottle you're able to send our way!

Mizz E said...

A completely understandable and commendable decision Ben. As you may have noticed, I closed the gate to the 'Torum so I could devote more time to my relationship with Cowboy, grandson and my art students.

♫ ♫ ♪ ♬It’s time now to sing out, tho the story never ends let's celebrate remember a year in the life of friends.
Remember the love! Remember the love! Remember the love! Measure in love. Seasons of love! Seasons of love.

robinstarfish said...

Change is making the rounds lately - real raccoon changes, not that fake 'bama brand. Seems all of us are being called out to participate in other venues after being schooled at Cosmic U. Nevertheless, I'll really miss yer frequent pith and passion. Kaffepaus' idea is a good one btw - in case story duty calls.

Meanwhile, the highest of the high seas to you and Patti!

USS Ben USN (Ret) said...

Hi Joan!
Me over-dramatic? Nay! A thousand times nay! :^)

USS Ben USN (Ret) said...

Hi Julie!
I think I'm goin' into withdrawals.
I also feel ignorant which does have an odd appeal. :^)

USS Ben USN (Ret) said...

Hey Jim!
But I don't wanna check out! Help me! Sign the petition! :^)

I do concur that current events are depressing. I suspect we will get some good news in the 2010 elections.

USS Ben USN (Ret) said...

"Sometimes it seems like the prayers for humility and forbearance are the only ones that get answered."

Ain't that the truth, John. I don't
mimd humility so much but forbearance (and forebearance)really sucks sour apples that are not only sour but kinda bitter too, which is why I need so much salt.
Virtue PLUS big bucks. It IS possible and I would like to face the unique challenges of havin' more money than a horse has hair.

Doctor Hook wisdom aside, thanks for the brutal pep talk. :^)

USS Ben USN (Ret) said...

Hi Johan!

Thank you for the great ideas! That will save a lot of time online. I will endeavor to comment more at OC. I enjoy your comments too, so don't be a stranger.

Best regards, Johan!

USS Ben USN (Ret) said...

Hi Gecko!

Life needs to get a life and stop bein' so demanding, lol.

USS Ben USN (Ret) said...

Hey Van!
You sure that the "stirring" ain't
from the Mexican food you ate last night?
Speakin' of the bottle...
Thanks! I hope n' pray for your job situation to get better soon. I know the demand is out there. :^)

USS Ben USN (Ret) said...

Thanks Mizz E!

I have noticed, and I miss you!
I hope Cowboy, grandson and the art students realize how blessed they are! :^)

USS Ben USN (Ret) said...

Hi Dojo!

Aye, 'tis the season it seems. Time to (gasp!) function in the real world (for awhile anyways). :^)