What can't you live without???

DON'T FORGET TO ENTER OUR TRILOGY CONTEST IF YOU HAVEN'T ALREADY!!!

I've realized over the last couple of weeks that (*cough*) I'm addicted to the internet. I get a little antsy when I can't check my email regularly, and it's even worse when I know I have an email waiting for me that I can't open. I start pacing when I can't keep in touch with all my blogging friends. Have they noticed I haven't visited for a while? What if they blog about something I want to read? I feel frustrated when I can't check in with my critique group. Miss you guys!

So it's been an experience for me to move to a new house that's situated in a communications black hole. Why would they build a new development/suburb and not consider communications beforehand??? Our previous internet/phone provider thought they could connect us but couldn't, so we've had to change providers and it's been great fun trying to cancel our contracts without termination fees! And we still haven't been connected yet, even after all that.

I'm relying on a pre-paid mobile broadband internet usb stick thingy, but in a house where the signal is almost non-existent (and moves all the time), I've had to be very creative in order to get connected. I should have taken a picture of some of the places I've finally got the internet to connect. Standing in the garage with the laptop on a tall packing box! Standing in front of our glass cabinet with the laptop above my head, typing by touch!! Holding the usb stick thingy (attached by a cord to increase coverage) above my head while I type one-handed!!! It's been an experience!

And I guess it's made me realize how much I rely on the internet in my daily life. It's such an amazing technological advance, and one which I often take for granted. No longer I think...

What about you, is there anything you can't live without? Are you dependent on the internet, or would you be happy to go without it for a few days/a week/a month?