internet

been wanting to get internet at the clinic.

there are times when i've wanted to google something really bad...
or blog.
or gmail chat.
or skype.
and i didn't want to haul my butt to the internet cafe.
it is within walking distance naman.
often they are crowded and noisy.
young men playing shooting games and swearing in tagalog and kapampangan.
young women online dating.
families talking with their ofw loved ones.
friendster, multiply, facebook, etc...

filled out an application online right when i landed back in the philippines.
on thursday, benedict, the manager of smart wireless, nepo mall, angeles came by the clinic so i could fill out a paper application and pay my first month's service charge of P999.

the installers came by later that evening to install it.
i was so excited.
at last...

it was a big production to get the antennae up.
people came out of their houses to watch the technician go up on the roof.
i was afraid that the corrugated steel roof was going to cave in when he stepped on it. it made a terrific racket.

pinoys are so curious.
one man came into the porch and was peering through my bedroom window to watch them set it up on my laptop.
i had to gently shoo him away.
"huwag na po."
so much for keeping it a secret that i have a computer in the clinic.

anyway, they had a hard time setting it up.
it took about an hour.
wrong part, wrong line, change this hardware, switch this, etc.

after it was all said and done, they had to take it all down.
the signal was too weak.

THE SIGNAL WAS TOO WEAK.
disappointment.
big time.
sadness.
frustration.
anger.

so, i had internet for a minute.
and then i didn't.

the technician recommended that i go through comclark instead.
their office is in sm clark.
two jeepney rides, 45 minutes, and P30 (one way) away.

okay.

i resolved to get up the next morning and go first thing, as i wanted to get the clinic organized.

i woke up the next morning.
and my face felt funny. swollen.
my arms too.
apparently i was the main course for some mosquitos the night before.
i looked like frankenstein.

so much for leaving first thing.
i wasn't sure if i wanted to leave the house.
i think i had something like 3 bites on my face.
left eye, third eye, and nose.
6 on my arms.

i called my friend joy back, as she called the night before when i was in the throes of depression. i recanted the tale to her and she sympathized. we had to call each other back 4 or 5 times because the call kept dropping. we laughed each time because i said, "see? the signal is too weak. good thing i didn't get internet!" plus, i ran out of load.

haaay.
so, the swelling went down that afternoon, at least enough so that i felt i could venture out of the house.
found the comclark office.
in order to apply, i need proof that i own the house, a utilities bill in my name, and valid id.

i don't own the house.
ate tey does.
the utilities bills are in her name; though i pay them.

so, when i see her next week, i'll ask her if she will go with me to angeles so we can apply for internet. will be an expensive endeavor.

will need to go to smart wireless in angeles, nepo mall in two weeks to get my refund.

grrr.
i don't even know where the nepo mall is.
i guess i'll find out in two weeks.