Addicted to Active Rain...well, maybe.

It was a dark and stormy night, Maryland was being buffeted by a ferocious 1 inch snowstorm. The buried electric cables here in Crofton couldn't take the pounding. On cue, the electric failed around 7 PM. Drat! Who cares about that really, I can just put on a sweater and ride it out. I’ve accumulated my layer of winter fat to protect against the cold. No problem. Then slowly, the realization hits, without electric there isn't any access to the Internet, TV, and phone services. Considering there's maybe two decent TV channels of the 400 I have access to, I could do without the TV. The home phone is never for me, although I will miss the telemarketing calls. But when the Internet fails…I go into the cold sweats.

My iPhone allowed me a little taste of what was happening in the Rain. But of course, I couldn’t write a post, or even comment. I was relegated to reading a 3 inch screen. Everybody seemed to be having so much fun, but I was only an outsider looking in. Look at what those scamps, Mike and Craig are up to. Well, one is a scamp…the other is just weird ;)

Oh no, I just remembered, I had only commented on nine posts today. There was an entire 25 points sitting out there in cyberspace that I couldn't claim. But of course, when you’re addicted, it's not about the points.

I went to bed but tossed and turned all night. Would I awaken to a restored Internet? Alas, when the electric was restored 12 hours later, and the temperature in the house was a mere 50°, my only thought was logging on to Active Rain. Those hundred logon points couldn't be wasted. They’re like freebie points for the lazy. But of course, when you’re addicted, it's not about the points.

No, the Internet did not come back, neither did the TV or the phone. Damn Verizon FIOS! After burning 60 cell phone minutes, a Verizon technician finally answered. We will get your service back as soon as possible, he promised. Obviously, their definition of “as soon as possible,” 48 to 72 hours, isn’t the same as my definition of “as soon as possible.” I implored the technician, “but you don't understand, I have to log on to Active Rain. 48 hours is like two hundred login points.” I might have missed his sympathy to my predicament. But of course, when you’re addicted, it's not about the points.

It's funny really, everybody in the office is wondering why I'm spending so much time there. Pretty simple, they have access to the Internet, and I still don't.

I’m on the 3^rd day without internet service at home now. Verizon FIOS has asked me to stop tweeting about my service issues. They want to take it off line on a DM…not likely, until they actually restore service. Maybe I’ll apologize to them in my 9^th step at the AR Anonymous meeting.

I realized that maybe I have an unhealthy relationship with Active Rain and I am finally weaning myself off my addiction. Since my internet service failed three days ago, I haven’t brought my Netbook into the bathroom once.

Addicted to Active Rain? Not a chance, just a healthy relationship.

P.S. The Verizon technician fixed the problem late this afternoon. Enablers.

Richard Iarossi, REALTOR®
Long and Foster® Real Estate, Inc.
Crofton, MD 21114

410-451-6255 Office
443-995-9595 Cell
Web: http://www.RichSellsHomes.com
eMail: Rich@RichSellsHomes.com

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