Editorial
Front Page - Friday, September 18, 2009
Simple Simon
Bill James
What I am about to tell you is not something I am proud of, but I think there is a simple message to be found intertwined within this little tale. What I am sure of is that there are at least a couple of people who will read this and can do something similar in their life to correct something small that will net them exponential improvement.
Anyway, it all started out with me getting my internet service from my cable provider. I had it installed in my home office. Then, a couple of years ago, I bought a new television for the family room and thought it would be neat to connect a computer with internet access to it. Unfortunately, I decided this only a couple of days before Christmas. Patti and the kids were out of town, but would be back the next day. I had a wireless router on my computer in the office, but it did not work very well. I could not get it hooked up to the new computer.
In a panic, I went out and got another cable hookup from the cable company so it would be set up when everyone came home. I figured no harm paying double for the internet for one month. In fact, I figured I could get it fixed in a week. It would be worth it to surprise the kids.
After a couple of weeks, the wireless keyboard and mouse in the family room were broken and no one seemed to care about the computer. Several months later, William took the modem from the living room and hooked up his computer to the internet in his room. We were still paying for double cable.
Eventually, the cable modem in the office went out and I had a clerk take it back. I did not get a replacement, as I intended on getting the one from William’s room and putting it in the office. In the meantime, I decided I needed one of those gizmos to stick in my laptop and get on the internet. I bought one and got on a year- long plan with Verizon for $50 per month. The laptop stayed in the kitchen for family use and the office was without internet. Again, I am paying for two internet connections.
About a year later, I see a special with AT&T and get a wireless card from them intending to get rid of the Verizon card. We discovered that we could just plug that into the computer in the office computer and, what do you know, we are paying for three internet connections.
Often I planned on getting a new wireless router, but was afraid of the irritation. Last week, I was bored on Saturday night and thought I would do it. I went to Best Buy, asked for the most powerful and simple router they had. I even bought a wireless printer. The setup went effortlessly until I tried to hook up the printer. Something went wrong. I could not get the router to work with the modem. After a couple hours of cussing, crying and begging the computer gods, I called the 800 number.
I was put on the phone with a guy who was obviously not a southerner and even more obviously not in the United States. After 15 minutes, he finally had my name and e-mail address, I yelled something and hung up. We did not communicate well.
It was 1 a.m. and I was ready for bed only to find out there was no Diet Coke in the house. I went berzerk. I got in the car and went to the store to get my Diet Coke. It is times like these you realize how old you are. I went home complained myself to sleep.
The next day, I called the Honorable Herb Wright and he agreed to try to help me. He came over messed with it a while and finally had to make the call. The Indian guy really seemed to like Herb. Everything was great until I decided I did not like the generic name my network had been given. Herb tried to change it and was required to call the Indian guy one more time before he could finalize the set up. He is such a patient man.
Anyway, the network works great now. The only problem I have is I still have two internet cards that I am paying $50 per month for needlessly. At least I have solved one problem. Now, if I could just get rid of these internet cards, my internet problems would be solved. I must remember that every journey starts with a single step. I have taken one step, let’s see if I can follow through.
Combine this minimal success and the help of a good friend and there is no telling what I can do. Maybe I can figure out a way to get William to take the trash out. After all, there is nothing wrong with dreaming. You have to believe that in the CHEAP SEATS!
Share
|