Disconnected

The problem started almost a week ago.

I’d heard horror stories about computer viruses.  I never thought it could happen to my computer.  That’s what I get for thinking.

I have a doozy of a virus.  I’ve been offline and off my home computer since Saturday.  That’s a year or perhaps ten in computer time.  Think of everything I’ve missed in those days.

I’ve had e-mail for several years at work.  I was slow to get a personal account.  I didn’t want to invest the time.  It became an ongoing joke.  Lynn and e-mail. Those two words should never be used together.

I stepped into personal e-mail and the online world three years ago.  I’m even on Facebook, not that I usually post anything. I’ve occasionally given friends and family a small shout-out just to show my computer skills.  Don’t look for me to tweet anytime soon.

I fret as I wait for the tech to work magic.  I know my e-mail is stacking up.  The thought is giving me nightmares.  I could check it at work, but there’s a problem.  I don’t have that kind of time.  I arrive to work at 7:30 and begin setting up for the day, dealing with my small volume of work related e-mail, correcting papers, and putting out what smoldering fires are visible to the naked eye.  Before I know it, it’s time for my students to arrive.

There is more than one computer in my home.  I’ve been married to the same man for over thirty years.  He has computers, but I would never dream of using one.  He is very picky about his things, and the thought of me touching his precious computers would drive the poor man crazy.  For the sake of our marriage, and his health, it’s best I don’t use his computers.  The sacrifices I’m willing to make to preserve my marriage and spare my husband’s life are mind-boggling.

I’ll admit I’ve had a few days where I miss going into my office and sitting at my computer.  The people at the online games I frequent must be missing me.

I’ve missed reading the blogs at Gem State Writers.  When my computer is up and running, I’ll get caught up with my fellow bloggers.

I hope to be back in my office and at my computer by Saturday.  Keep your fingers crossed.

What have I been doing without the use of the internet?

I’ve been reading.

I’ve been writing.

What would you do if you were cut off from your online world?  What new discoveries would you make about yourself?  How would it impact your writing?