Grab a cup of tea or a glass of wine, sit down and let me tell you about my day. As you all know, I've had a continuing saga of not being able to access my (once) main e-mail server. This has gone on for over three weeks now and entailed more phone time than I care to think about. Last night, I found I could not even access the internet. I couldn't check my new gmail. I couldn't check in on all of you before bed. I couldn't take a last look at the Chicago Tribune before turning in. I was beyond frustrated and, of course, made that phone call. The first tier person said "you have a provisioning error". Wow! They'd get right on it and call back in an hour or tomorrow morning. They didn't. I called back this morning and was told it was being "worked on".
While I waited, I decided to clean out my desk and bake a nice little loaf cake for dinner. I measured and chopped and stirred and popped it into the oven. Then, annoyed, I got back on the phone while continuing the desk cleanout. The smoke alarm went off. I knew there was no fire and reset it. Five minutes later, it went off again. The "service person" asked if there was a problem. "Yes, my computer isn't working. Don't worry about that alarm." In between being transferred to different levels of service and back again, the alarm continued it's incessant wailing at five-minute intervals. I juggled the phone to my ear and the broom handle to press the "reset" button quite well. Then I was told that they would have the problem fixed by next Tuesday at 8 p.m.!!!!! This is one of the largest internet providers in the country!!!!
The smoke alarm went off again. What IS WRONG? This....
As I lamented the charcoaled cake, my lack of internet service and the state of my not-nearly-cleaned-out desk, I passed the front door and saw....
...right next door! I rushed out onto the porch and sweetly called out "are you fixing my internet problem?"!! The young man on the ground looked a bit puzzled but asked what was wrong. I tried to explain the last three weeks in a dozen words or less but failed. He asked how many lights I saw on the modem. While I was still scratching my head, he bounded up the front steps and said he'd take a look.
My friends, he had the entire problem fixed (I hope) in less than five minutes! I now have internet and can access my e-mail.
I would tell you what the problem was but it would not bode well for the image you have of me--intelligent, sophisticated, savvy. Maybe I'll tell you some day.
If any of you want the charred Apple Walnut Loaf Cake recipe, let me know.
