(the misadventures of an expatriate corporate dropout)

Monday, August 11, 2008

first a roar, then a whine, at last a whimper.


Today I awoke with enthusiasm and excitement. I had a 9:30 a.m. appointment with Steve, the fellow who is helping coordinate my internet access at home. He was coming to set up my modem, etc.

I had a full day of writing planned. My voice would be heard roaring back to life. I kept urging myself to temper my excitement, there might be some glitch.

Little did I know that the glitch would be ever so much more.

My phone rang at around 8:30 a.m.

"Bad news, Kim. I've just got off the line with Neuf and they've told me it could be two to three more weeks before the line is transferred."

Yep that was WEEKS, not DAYS. Can you imagine waiting 5 to 6 weeks in the U.S. for internet access. At a home where no lines or other engineering installations are required?

AAAAAAARRRRRRRGGGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!

By the time this sucker is completed it will be like beginning my blog all over again. I'm busily seeking plan B. Even considering Dial-UP (yes, it IS the dark ages in France).

Apparently, the megolith France Telecom is pissed at the competition. And is in no hurry to transfer lines outside of their domain. Plus it is August so they can blame it on the holidays.

Bastards. I'm so pissed right now I could spit nails. Big Antique French Ones.

6 comments:

Randal Graves said...

What the hell? I thought all those other countries had better and cheaper internet access anyway. FIVE weeks? That's criminal. Better bust out that pen and paper and prepare for a wheelbarrowful of transcribing.

Anonymous said...

I feel your pain. I was recently away from my computer for 2 weeks while I acted as caretaker for a relative, and I felt like a junkie going through withdrawal, or a mother who's children had been kidnapped, or both. What's amazing is that before my husband made me start my blog this January, I was a total technophobe!

Jennifer said...

Ah, problems with the Internet? Welcome to France!
:)
Patience is a virtue here. It looks like you have a beautiful area to explore while you wait. And we'll be waiting for you when it is finally sorted out.

Artful Kisser said...

Bugger... Maybe Randall's right? Get out the paper and pen, or maybe even a rustic old typewriter? I can see you typing out your masterpiece on an old Underwood in the south of France. Sounds so romantic, but I'm sure the internets would be better. Good luck!

Bruce Anderson said...

argh! I know you want to write, but Loulou might be on to something, it might be good for you to just expore and learn the fine art of patience which I'm sure comes with living in france. I have the feeling we might be in the same boat when we move. The owners of our house are getting Satellite, they have been working on getting it all summer, meeting here and meeting there, etc...we are told September 27th, we arrive on the 29th, I'm sure it's not going to be smooth.
You'll become a regular at the bar my friend!
We won't go anywhere, we'll all be here waiting for you.

Non Je Ne Regrette Rien said...

okay fine you all, maybe I am an impatient so n so, ... i usually admire the french way of things...but internets are sacred. pffft. yes I am still writing but it is not the same thing as in the moment. as the days/weeks go by, much will be lost in translation.

sigh.

but you are right, i have taken up imbibery ... although still looking for the best bar inhabited by locals vs. tourists.

if only i could just have some wild monkey nookie, i'm certain it would distract me.

double sigh. and snicker to boot.