Like a thief in the night or a junkie searching for a fix, I'm ashamed to say that's how I was on a family vacation without an internet connection.
I never thought I would stoop so low. I'm ashamed of myself now that I think back on it. Never again shall I pass judgment on my brothers and sisters who are jonesing for a fix .
Let me explain. About a month or so ago we went to visit relatives in a rural area of North Carolina. My relatives, although they had all modern conveniences (almost), they did not have an internet connection. (GASP). I shudder as I say that.
When I say no internet connection, not even a dial up connection. For 7 whole days, I had all of my electronic equipment all dressed up for a party, with no party to go to. Sheer torture.
Day one wasn't so bad. I thought to myself, I can do it. I need a break from the technology. It's time to wind down and deal solely in the real world.
By day two, I had read every book in the house and was starting to re-read the labels on the bathroom spray and toothpaste tubes.
Day three my personality started to change. I started to become a bit more irritable than usual. The kids were on my last nerve and food, well; it didn't even taste good to me anymore (That speaks volumes because southern cooking is the best!). 
By day four, I packed up my laptop and started cruising. (I think my family was happy that I had left the house). I cruised up and down the main road with my laptop turned on in the passengers seat. I slowly drove in the right lane with one eye on the road and the other on the laptop. I had the laptop set to scan for wireless connections in the area. When I found one, I pulled over into a ditch next to a herd of cows and connect to the outside world!
Ahh, it was like a shot of heroin for a heroin addict. I felt my whole body begin to relax. I'm not a smoker, but that was a cigarette moment.
My first internet search was for the nearest library with an internet connection. Having found one, I went to the library daily for the rest of my stay. I only stayed there for 30 minutes a day, just enough to hold me over until my next daily fix.
Mine is a sad and pitiful story. I'm ashamed to say…that's my two cents and I'm sticking with it.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Felicia A. Williams is a freelance writer and webmaster of this website, Visit Hudson Valley.com and No Job for Mom.com. She is also the Insurance Feature Writer for Suite 101.com
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