So Long, Farewell, Auf Wiedersehen, Goodnight

Illustration from Pinterest

In the words from a song from one of my favorite movies of all time:

So long, farewell,
Auf Wiedersehen, goodnight.
Adieu, adieu
To you and you and you.

I'm usually not the best with goodbyes. But I will gladly say goodbye in any language to my long-time satellite internet provider, HughesNet. I've been a customer since April 2007. But I am so happy to say:

Au revoir (French)
Sayonara (Japanese)
Adios (Spanish)
Zai jian (Mandarin) 
Ciao (Italian)  
You're outta here! (Kim)

Golden Belt Telephone installed internet here on the County Line a week ago. I kept my HughesNet account open, just to make sure I was going to get quality service from GBT. I had planned to keep both active for a month because I have a 30-day trial period with GBT. 

They were honest. I'm within their service area "as the crow flies," but I'm on the outer limits. Plus, my house is smack dab in the middle of plenty of trees. It's great for reducing the heating and cooling bill. It's not so great for satellite internet. 

But, using a phrase from another song from a musical, "Wonder of wonder, miracles of miracles," the connection is faster with GBT.

So, yesterday, I called HughesNet to cancel. And for the umpteenth time, I was told that only the "account holder" could cancel the account. I have been around and around with them on this issue. I've been assured repeatedly that I am listed as an account holder. But, when it comes down to it, only the "man of the house" could cancel the internet.  

It doesn't matter that 99.9 percent of the internet usage is mine. It doesn't matter that I've been the caller when we've had problems or equipment upgrades (and given them more money, by the way). It doesn't matter that Randy has told them repeatedly that I am the authorized user on the account. It doesn't matter that we use a joint checking account to pay the bill. 

I was the one who called them repeatedly for the month we were without internet this summer. I was the one who drove to the Hutchinson Public Library and to my parents and to our church to get on the internet so I could do my job. 

I called again at noon when Randy came in for dinner. For the second time, I tried to cancel it myself. But it took Randy getting on the phone line to get it done. They wanted to send a technician out. They wanted to offer me a discount. And it gave me great satisfaction to tell them I would have welcomed a technician to quickly appear anytime during that month-long hiatus from service this summer. 

Nope. I'm done. Finis. Kaput. 

With Golden Belt, I have a Kansas number I can call if I have a problem. They actually speak English as their first language. They assured me that I will never be without internet for a month. Each of the three people I've dealt with so far have been friendly and prompt.

And best of all: I am the account holder. (So is Randy, but I can guarantee GBT that I'll be the one they'll deal with. And he's first to admit that.)

Hello, GBT! Welcome to my home!

Ta-Da! It's a Beautiful Day!

I started yesterday morning outside at my sunrise tree, watching the night transition to day with wisps of pink thread streaking the sky above the horizon. I imagined a heavenly chorus of angels, elegantly rustling their wings, and whispering, "Ta-da! It's a beautiful day!"

I certainly hoped it would turn out to be. After two long, LONG weeks, the satellite internet repairman was supposed to arrive on the County Line. I hoped it would signal the end to my exile from easy access to online news (which I need for my job, by the way). I hoped I would be able to blog in my PJs in the comfort of my own home office instead of driving 15, 35 or 45 minutes to use someone else's internet connection.

I tried not to get my hopes up, but the magnificent sky seemed a good omen. The sky was pretty from all angles, even as I looked west opposite the brilliant sunrise, across a neighbor's field with CRP grasses neatly baled. I hoped the technician would have his truck neatly packed in every nook and cranny, too, prepared for every eventuality for repair. He was coming from Wichita, so it's not like he could just run back to his shop for a forgotten screw or something.

I know I should just be grateful that I can get internet here on the farm. It's certainly better than the dial-up access I had for years. But I'm frustrated in my lack of options. After multiple phone calls and at least 10 "case numbers" from Hughesnet, my satellite internet provider, I was ready to try something, ANYTHING, else. A repairman had to come from Wichita? Surely there was someone closer?

I polled other farmers' wives on a Facebook group to which I belong. Surely these other country dwellers would have ideas. And they did. But none of them served the Stafford/Reno County line of Kansas, America.

I was stuck. So I waited. And waited. And waited some more. And, you'll notice, I didn't say I waited patiently because that is not my nature. But I made do with trips to my parents, to the church and to the Hutchinson Public Library to access their internet.

The last time I was without internet for an extended period,  I didn't have a smart phone. This time, at least, I could check and respond (briefly) to emails and keep up with Facebook. So it could have been worse.

Lo and behold, the repairman didn't even get lost. He showed up early. He found moisture inside my outside receiver and replaced the parts. He told me he hoped that would be the last I'd see of him for awhile. And though he was very nice, I told him that I hoped I wouldn't become his best friend either. He drove off to save other poor people who (I assume) had been waiting forever to have their internet fixed, too.

So, what have I learned? Well, if I'm honest, probably not patience. But I am thinking that I don't have to blog five days a week. If I want to, fine. If I don't, that's OK, too. I've learned that even though I pay for the absolute best service Hughesnet provides, it's still not very fast when compared to internet in town.

 

I ended the day as I began it, watching the expanse of Kansas sky just beyond the trees that surround my rural home - no internet required.

And though I might long for speedy internet or a quick dash into the grocery store for a forgotten ingredient instead of a 15-minute trip, I am grateful for this beautiful place I call home.

(Especially now that I've got internet - sad but true!)