“Obstacle Race” by Foxypar4 on Flickr
I ordered internet for my home today.
I know usually when you see that phrase it’s associated with the cutting of services instead of setting them. In my case though, I’m bracing myself because Internet at home has become a necessary expense. Eldest’s class is going to be using it a lot for homework. I guess I wasn’t ready for that. Second Grade and Internet. I guess it makes sense. They’ve been taking computer classes and use the Internet at school.
While bracing myself to get down and do this, I realized how slippery a slope this kind of thing gets. Lifestyle inflation or whatever.
In order to use the internet at home, I need my monitor repaired. Granted, I’d been planning on repairing the laptop regardless but the plan was to repair it so I could use it on trains and at cafés. So, I’d shell out the $150 to fix it but that’s it. Free internet. Now, I have to pay for both.
I did a lot of research and am paying $36.99 before taxes and fees a month for internet with Comcast. I’d found less expensive options at AT&T until I realized the $19.95 they were offering was for internet 1/6 the speed of Comcast. Ouch. Also, AT&T wanted to charge me $149 for installation and another $100 for the modem. Comcast is charging me $7 a month to lease their modem. Obviously, AT&T’s modem would come out cheaper in the long run but I do plan on buying a modem for Comcast since their equipment isn’t proprietary like AT&T. They’re only charging $9.95 for the install because I chose the DIY option. Had I gone fancy and requested their presence, I would’ve paid $39.95. Still, a bargain compared to AT&T.
I’m not exactly excited about this. The price I have at Comcast is only good for 6 months. Then it goes up to $44.99 another 6 months and then it’s free to go up to whatever they deem appropriate pretty much. Spending this much money on internet is really bothering me but I have to be realistic.
The thing is, despite the fact this price is annoying me badly, I automatically start thinking of the other things I could use now that I’m looking to join the people of the world who have Internet at home.
Like Netflix for instance. I shot that one down for now. I have Amazon Prime (a gift from Dad) and I’ve heard they do streaming. Plus I love renting movies from the library. And the kids have a bunch of dvd’s at home. So, no Netflix.
What about cable? Deals abound when you start bundling services. And the kids love the Disney Channel and Nick Jr. Then again, I don’t watch TV. And I don’t like the way my kids act in front of a TV. And there’s a huge difference between watching DVDs and watching TV and that is that a DVD ends. Ok so, no Cable.
Do Second Graders have their own computers? Maybe Eldest would be better off with his own computer. Ok, whoa. Did I really just think about buying my 8 year old his own computer? That’s insane.
I need want a wireless router.
I need want a laptop case.
Maybe I should look into self-hosting. I mean now that I’ll have internet at home, I can put more time and effort into this site and self-hosting really opens up a lot of opportunities for design changes and functionality and interaction.
Do you see what I mean? In the end, I’m reigning myself in. Monitor repair and internet installation. That’s it. For now.
What about you? Do you do battle with the slippery slope or do you not even realize you were on it until you crash into the bottom? Or are you one of those people who is always grounded firmly?
Mutant Supermodel 