We all know how addictive the Internet can be----especially to activerain. There have been countless stories about the “effects” of this addiction on our lives----some good-----some bad.

     I am turning the focus of this blog to a less talked about aspect of our compulsion.
     The lengths to which we will go----to feed this monster.

     I know the story that follows below is only one tame example.  I also am sure that all of my readers have their own lurid tales of what they have done to get their next fix.  We are not talking coffee or chocolates here----we are talking INTERNET.  If you think this does not apply to you, just remember back to that feeling you had in your gut the last time the power went out for five minutes.  Can you honestly tell me you didn’t start calculating where the nearest Internet café is?  Of course all of you with I-phones are the most addicted of all, and----DON’T EVER FORGET----even you will need to  charge up those batteries sooner or later.

     At a recent house I inspected, I found where someone needed a "fix" so bad they were willing to cut a 2’x2’ hole through double 5/8” drywall into the ceiling structure of the garage to gain access to the ductwork to the bedroom above.  They figured the ductwork would make a great chase for the Internet cable.  Of course this was a breach of the fire-rated surfaces between the garage and the floor structure above the garage, and taking the ductwork apart to run the wire to the bedroom would also allow fumes from the garage to enter the bedroom.

     Now I like to pretend think I have never compromised the safety of my family for an Internet fix and I certainly have never sold any of my children to get an Internet fix (that would be a bit extreme even for me.)

     I know my buddy Steve Smith actually bought a computer while on vacation because he just couldn’t stand going through withdrawal----there is nothing more bizarre than watching Steve dance with no music on (reminds me of the time my dog got her collar hung up on the electric fence) and then there is that sad whimpering about how much he misses Nutsy----as if she was a real person.

     So, what is the strangest thing you have ever done for an INTERNET fix?

Charles Buell

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