Modem Meltdown

Live and Learn

I'd had an issue with my DSL modem power supply before but it seemed to settle down. However, on the weekend, during a thunderstorm, the house power went out. The modem shut off. I was on a surge protector, so I don't think the power loss or the storm had anything to do with it. When I tried to turn it back on, no deal.

Eventually, I called Verizon, my DSL supplier and we troubleshot the modem. Finally, we both decided the modem was faulty and I needed a new one. However, it had to be sent so I could not go pick it up anywhere. That took until today.

I had no idea how dependent I have become on the Internet until I was deprived of it for those days. I tried using my laptop with the dial up modem, only to discover that with a DSL phone line coming into the house, I no longer have a normal dial tone or the kind of connection a modem can use. I might as well drop my dial up service--the back up--as I simply have no way of using it.

Of course, to get back on, it was not a simple connect the modem and go. I ended up having to call Verizon tech support and go through a bunch of steps to bypass the modem's settings to reset them so they were compatible with my computer set up. Anyhow, I am back.

Horsewise, not too much to report. It has been hot and humid again. Yesterday was nice enough, so I managed to lunge everyone at least. I may go out to ride later in the evening today, but we shall see.

In the meantime, the run in shed is done except for some minor bracing on the posts. The barn roof is also repaired. I plan on having the camera out when the Boys have their first access to the shed. That should be fun.

Just catching up on all the news from the 'Net that's happened. The big story is Caroline's accident with Zip. Please do drop by her blog at http://www.smartiesdiary.blogspot.com to read the details and wish her well. It's a good reminder to all horsemen how powerful these creatures we adore are and how fragile our control over them can actually be. I don't honestly think, except on rare occasions, that they ever really mean to hurt us, but the fact is, things happen. We must always be mindful of how we hande them and how we handle ourselves around them. It's food for thought.

I wish Caroline all the best for a speedy recovery. I know how much she loves her horses, riding, and competing. Here's hoping she's back in the saddle at 100% sooner than later.