Something interesting is happening at my office today. Because of the recent storm(s)…(well we call them those anyways) in San Francisco, Comcast has had some trouble keeping our phone lines and internet connectivity, well, connected. I have not truly been without internet access in years. Even if it was down for a few minutes, there was always a way to re-boot it or go elsewhere. Working in an office where Internet connectivity is absolutely essential to the way we work every day is a verrrry interesting experience when there is nothing working. Our phones are down, so we’re using cell phones to call necessary people, and our server is working so we’re working on documents (well everyone else is…I’m the intern and therefore have nothing pending except research…on the internet). But other than that, there’s a lot of chatter.
So what does one do when there is no outside work connectivity? Read the paper of course. Yes, I actually sat down with the office copy of today’s Wall Street Journal and went through the entire thing. No, I didn’t read the entire thing, but I did read a good number of the articles and looked at every headline and sub-headline. Then I read through last week’s “Time Magazine” about Japan’s crisis. And now I’m eyeing out lobby table chock full of “Wine Spectator” magazines, “Bloomberg” magazines and “Fast Company.” I have never read any of these publications (besides “Time” of course), but today is the one day I didn’t bring a book for the train. Le sigh. The Internet went out about 8:45 came back about 10:50 and is now out again after about 15 minutes of working; just enough time for me to check all my email and send a few replies and inquiries out. Now, I’m sitting here, occasionally picking up my desk phone for a dial tone and typing away at this.
Also, an interesting thing happened when I read the Wall Street Journal. I came across a “Destinations” blog, with a piece about an American living in Florence. Yes, I know I talk about that city a lot (I bet if you “control F” on my entire blog, that word would come up at least 100 times). I loved reading her take on it and not only did she talk about the beauty and wonder of that city (it’s my favorite, couldn’t you tell?) but she also went through ALL the red tape that it takes to even stay there long term. It’s a lot. And it’s frustrating; but so worth it. I day dream about that place and because I was day dreaming about it, I dream about it at night. And I wake up with a pang in my heart, wondering when I’ll get back there. I really, really miss it. But I digress.
I will add to this as the day unfolds. Most of us just want to work from home, even if that means loading a bunch of necessary documents onto flash drives and reloading them tomorrow with freshly updated versions. If I had more comfortable walking shoes, I might just go (finally) explore the city. But nope. Oh and there’s chance of thunderstorms today. Nooo way.
**Update: Internet finally returned for an extended period of time around 1 p.m. after going in and out several times. Seems to be holding. Thus this posting.**
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