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Book Nook provides readers with insights into the world of books. Vick Mickunas takes you into the center of the publishing world with the latest book buzz, book reviews, and exclusive chats with authors..Home > Blogs > Book Nook > Archives > 2009 > May > 12 > Entry
Some things I take for granted…
Life is good. It is so easy to whine about petty inconveniences. I do it. Even so, we live in the lap of luxury.
I was reminded of that when my high speed modem failed Sunday night. I was crestfallen. Poor, poor pitiful me. No high speed internet. Right.
So I took a flying leap into sweet luxury’s lap to fix my problem. I called my service provider’s toll free phone number. They had me on hold forever. While I waited I did some paperwork. Sure, I could whine about my long wait but what’s the point?
The young man who finally helped me out was highly competent. He said his name was Gary. I detected a slight accent. He was so brutally efficient and good natured that I’m presuming he was somewhere far away. We always took those jobs for granted didn’t we?
He gave me the toll free phone number for the people who would sell me another modem. The woman who answered the phone had a slight accent. I didn’t catch her name. I was a bit shocked by her first question. She demanded to know how I got that phone number? I knew I was in the fast lane then. That Gary had really hooked me up.
She was also incredibly competent. She took care of my order quickly. She took all my information; name, address, e-mail address, account number, credit card number, phone number - without making any mistakes! Amazing. I’m assuming she was thousands of miles away. We always took those jobs for granted, right?
I was sitting in front of my house today. I didn’t want to miss the FedEx truck that would hopefully be bearing my modem to me. At about 11am it pulled up. There was my package. It had been shipped from Utah and was in my hot little hands in less than 24 hours. We take overnight delivery for granted. What a country!
I ran the installation disk and in clear, concise language it guided me through the activation of my new Motorola (made in China) modem. Within 15 minutes I was ensconced in my beloved internet wasteland, checking my blog comments, my sports scores, my fantasy baseball stats, my news headlines, my e-mail. So much stuff that we take for granted.
I won’t even get into the obvious stuff; the internet, fresh water, the daily newspaper, electricity, safe streets, piles of books to read, wacko politicians…..
And here I am posting again on my blog. Life is lovely. Don’t you even dare to consider whining!~
Vick Mickunas
Permalink | Comments (5) | Post your comment | Categories: confessions of a galley slave
Comments
By Alice
May 13, 2009 4:43 PM | Link to this
After submitting my last comment, I was reminded of “Of Mice and Men” - I always wanted to live off the fat of the land and tend rabbits. How simple…By Alice
May 13, 2009 4:40 PM | Link to this
Uh, what kind of medication was delivered along with the modem? …and can I have some? On a serious note, I get frustrated living in a society that requires me to need all of those things just to compete. I think I would be perfectly happy giving up most technology in favor of hard work, some drawing paper and a pencil and a few good books. Unfortunately it’s just not an option to move off into the woods by yourself anymore.By beastmomma
May 12, 2009 10:55 PM | Link to this
I am glad everything worked out.By downsized
May 12, 2009 8:51 PM | Link to this
Whew! I’m sure glad everything worked out, Vick. You were sounding bucolic while relating the joy you experienced from customer service nirvana. Almost envisioned you in a dashiki, wearing love beads and in a halo of “magic” smoke. Then, in comes the chill of potential for broken dreams from the North Pacific, breaking the mantra. This internet “crack” addiction is potent stuff. With everyone using, the future of the postal service looks bleak. But, I do hope those butterflies dance softly.By alaskanriley
May 12, 2009 2:37 PM | Link to this
Not to whine but living on a remote island in the North Pacific we know how closely we teeter on the edge of civilization. Our bi weekly supply barge and weekly fuel barge are less than gentle reminders when contrasted with our abundant clean water, wild foods and hydro power. Enjoy your 24 hour delivery while you can Vick - sometimes a butterfly’s dance in China is all that stands between now and when.