Utility Flexibility

A more laid-back lifestyle, less stress. These are reasons often given for moving away from the US, and are a couple of reasons that really appeal to me. I know that when you move to another country, especially some of those I’m considering (Panama, Ecuador, Mexico), you need to be able to flex with moving target dates for getting your phone service, internet, electricity and the like. Depending on where you are, service might not be totally reliable, and the manana attitude prevails.




OK, I’m cool with that. I can be flexible.

So what does it say about me that, when my internet connection disappeared sometime during the wee hours on Friday night or Saturday morning, and I found out that our cable provider couldn’t or wouldn’t do anything about it until Tuesday, I had a meltdown? Ouch!

Sure, some of my panic was purely practical. I have deadlines, schedules, obligations that require a working internet connection to meet. My livelihood depends greatly on the internet. Theoretically, if I’m living overseas as a retired person, that shouldn’t be a problem.

But I know me. I’ll always want to feel I’m making a contribution, doing something worthwhile, and for me, that means having an internet that works.

Is this a test? Did the cosmic powers-that-be trash my internet so I can find out how flexible I am in dealing with its lack? Maybe.

For now, I’m borrowing a friend’s office to access the net. That’s how I’m getting this article uploaded, and I’ll deal with email while I’m here, too. I have a couple of other temporary, fallback positions, and I’m confident I can manage.

But the initial few hours after I found out I wouldn’t have working internet for a few days were not pretty, and don’t bear repeating.

Would love to hear from others about how you’ve coped (either at home or abroad!) with similar disruptions. Just click the comment link below.

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