Ins and Outs

 

It is still a rough go of it in several ways at the moment.

• My HOME Internet is now DOWN and I cannot work from home at all.  Apparently there is some sort of "update" that occurred and our equipment is now so outdated that it no longer functions.  The folks sent out a new box but then (in a sinister sort of way) also informed me that "about 1/2 the time" the self set-up DOES NOT WORK and a technician has to be brought in.  I did not like that idea as I was already annoyed at trying to set this up myself (it requires some sort of phone app to assist in set-up as well, which I did not have, so when I acquired it, it TOO required some sort of setup beyond my pay-grade and confidence).  So, I instead insisted that I receive a scheduled appointment with one of their technicians to come to my home.  Apparently, a whole helluva lot of other folks in my region are doing the same thing, as the FIRST appointment I could acquire is one week from today.... next Friday.  And, I made this appointment on Tuesday of this week.  In theory I could still try to do this switch out myself.... BUT, the reason I do not is that the TELEVISION aspect of our service is still functional.... but if I were to have problems with the setup of the new box, we would lose our television service AS WELL as the Internet.  That would be even worse, so that is why I am very hesitant to try.
• Some sort of U system bug is also occurring on campus, further hindering work.  It is not as bad now as I last reported, but the damn Internet at the U sporadically "goes out" several times a day, and folks (including me) lose work, if teaching, we have to reboot the system (takes quite a good 10 minutes to do) to re-establish links to the projector systems.  So, it has been aggravating.  I suspect the culprit may be whatever this "update" was that occurred apparently last weekend or on Monday of this week.... has messed with a lot of the older U equipment too.
• So, with the slower lecturing I did while in the midst of laryngitis, and the sporadic rebooting I need to do while lecturing.... I am behind in lecturing.  That is not a good feeling.
• I was actually so very tense and aggravated yesterday, that I had basically decided I should not go to the Retiree's Cigar Group...... first, I was scrounging after class to try to make up some of the things I have been having difficulties with in my own writing and other work.... so I would be EVEN LATER than usual, second, I was in a rather sour mood overall from the various "brick walls" I would keep hitting that kept me from getting my work accomplished that NEEDED to be done.
• But.... after another Internet hiccup at the U, I basically said "to hell with it" and I went to the group meeting.  And, I am extremely glad I went.  It ended up being the most congenial, relaxing thing I was able to do all week long!  One of my friends was leaving (I actually ran into him on the sidewalk as I was walking to the shop.), and he decided to turn around and come back in to talk.  And, two other fellows from the group were straggling behind as well.  The friendship (and the cigar both) quieted my mood and by the time I left, I was feeling more "hopeful" and less aggravated.  

After I returned home, I showered and gussied up a bit to head to Holy Thursday dinner at our Parish.  It was a potluck and we brought a crockpot of our macaroni and cheese.  It was a very relaxing and enjoyable dinner.  At our table, we were pleased to have a special visitor as well.  A young nun from Mexico was visiting our Diocese and she ended up being invited by our priest to join the dinner.  She was kind, gentle, and very pleasant.  Even though her own English was extremely limited, she had a friend with her who helped us with talking with her by being a translator for all of us back-and-forth. 

Running has been relatively smooth this week.  It has been a bit of an effort to get back upward in my miles after my illness, but I am thinking next week may (hopefully) back up to snuff fully in terms of mileage.  This morning I ran 8 miles (~13 km).  

With no Internet at home, I likely will need to come to the U during the weekend, even with its spotty Internet of late.  

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