Ok, I can’t deny it anymore. I’m addicted to Wi-Fi.
I’ve long suspected this was the case, though for the last three years I’ve managed to avoid studying the issue. It wasn’t until my writer pal, T.D. Hart, invited me on a writing retreat that my dependency moved from suspicion to strong likelihood. “It’s great,” she said. “No TV, no internet, no distractions.”
TV I can live without. But no internet? My stomach heaved with an enthusiasm I hadn’t felt since the first trimester of my last pregnancy.
Well, this week, my Wi-Fi addiction has been fully confirmed.
While the place we’re staying has regular buffets designed to add back at least five of the ten pounds I’ve recently managed to displace, and the drinks are a very long way away from stingy on booze, the internet connection SUCKS.
The result is me twitching in a corner where I’ve managed to locate the strongest wi-fi signal, sending up prayers to the connectivity deity. Seriously, at this point, I’m willing to put aluminum foil cones on both of my kids if it will up our signal strength.
Why do I need this while on vacation? Well, for one thing, I thought it would be nice to blog without the added weight of the day job. (You know, doing only one job at a time instead of two.) But beyond that, I like sharing pics and comments while I’m flitting between the palm trees.
I also like to check the weather. At present, there’s a wicked thunderstorm pushing through with sheets of rain so thick I can’t see across to the other side of the hotel. No offense, but the natives my kids are getting restless and I need to prognosticate on how much longer I’m going to have to entertain them with tents made of sheets and comforters.
So, yeah, I’m a wi-fi junkie. And the hotel I’m staying at will probably get a polite but direct comment from me before I leave for touting their FREE WI-FI adds so prominently in their advertising if they’re not going to deliver quality product.
What conveniences do you find you can’t live without when you leave the comforts of home? Air conditioning? A soft/hard mattress? A full closet? Some type of connectivity slightly faster than dial up from the late 90’s?
7 Comments
Marilyn
July 3, 2013 at 10:36 amPlease God, a good mattress, working AC and a flush toilet. Anything else, I can manage without.
Marianna Heusler
July 3, 2013 at 10:40 amI need a television, a notebook and a pen and a good book I don’t know what it would be like without the Internet but I think I might like the fact that no one could find me
Suzanne Vince
July 4, 2013 at 11:00 amOnce while on Barbados on business, the storm of the century caused us to lose power for THREE DAYS. No lights, no air conditioning, no television, not even an open bar. I read by candlelight and drank warm Red Stripe beer, but I don’t recommend it. I’m fine without Wifi, but my husband would go berserk. It must be the Type A personality 🙂
Gretchen Wing
July 6, 2013 at 9:12 amPen and paper. A nice pen, preferably, but I can deal with a ballpoint in a pinch. That is IT. The day I find I need more, I will ask someone to please abduct me to Antartica for a week of reality therapy.
CJ Burright
July 7, 2013 at 2:40 pmMy pillow and a mocha. No sleep/coffee=grumpy blueberry.
kim cleary
July 8, 2013 at 3:45 amI prefer to have wifi – but I can cope without it … if I have to 😛
I love a comfy bed, and a room that is quiet and dark for me to sleep. Room Service is a plus but not essential. I normally travel with my dog so stay in self-contained cottages and farmhouses. Have had some lovely experiences – with and without wifi 🙂
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