Yesterday I heard someone say “I was having internet connection issues,” is the new “I got stuck in traffic.” It’s the kind of line that gets a chuckle, unless it’s true. All the time.
Living on a small, ferry-dependent island has its advantages, but fast, dependable internet isn’t one of them.
Like everyone else out there, I’m doing a lot of Zooming these days. Board meetings and writers’ groups, webinars and on-line master classes. Even family gatherings. But unlike most of my fellow Zoomers, I’m rarely able to turn on the video and still hear the audio. Voices echo in a weird boomerang effect and faces freeze on the screen.
“Your internet connection is unstable” flashes on and off, reminding me that MY INTERNET CONNECTION IS UNSTABLE. As if the flickering feed wasn’t clue enough that we have internet connection issues. The final slap in the face is losing the connection altogether. The abrupt drop is like having the welcome mat yanked out from underfoot.
Urggg. The CRTC’s target for Internet speed is 50 Mbps download. On a good day, we’re lucky to get 20 Mbps.
Want to watch Netflix?
Occasionally we get through a Netflix program without the little wheel of frustration spinning in the centre of the screen.
I know companies are working on solutions for rural customers, I just hope one of them finds a solution soon because I’m pretty sure this “online” thing isn’t going away.
All right. Rant over. I think I got that out of my system. And now I have a thrilling offer!
Dark Addictive Summer Thrillers
A few times a year I rake through the author offerings on Bookfunnel and pick one I think you’ll enjoy. This time around it’s dark, addictive summer thrillers.
Take advantage of the deals and load your ereader for summer. But you’ll have to act fast because the offer ends tomorrow, June 30. Read about the books on offer with a click on the promo image, or click this link: https://books.bookfunnel.com/darkthrillers/6sg5ef4u8k.
I’ve downloaded a couple of the books already and may go back for another. If you find one you enjoy, please tell me about it. I’m always looking for a new book. Just drop it in the comments below.
And if nothing in the bundle interests you, why not give Secret Sky a try? Get your copy from Kindle with one click right here. And if kindle or ebooks aren’t your preference, click on the bookstore tab for other purchase options (or just click on the covers below).
Blurred Light Banner Photo by chuttersnap on Unsplash
An oldie but goodie that I recently reread and still enjoyed is John Wyndham’s The Chrysalids. I read this in school and it’s stuck with me. 
Another of my favourite reads is Deborah Harkness’s A Discovery of Witches. LOVED this one. It’s $12.99, and worth every penny with +7,000 reviews! It’s the first in her All Souls Trilogy. The first two books have been made into a series, which I also loved. Read it twice; watched it twice. Can’t wait for the third instalment.
Less Air and Noise Pollution
Two weeks ago, we made a trip to Whistler. The last time I was there was when Secret Sky won honourable mention at the Whistler Independent Book Awards.
This time we were dog-sitting. Our sweet rent-a-dog was Babe, a nine-month-old poodle. She’s a bundle of energy and still has the puppy clumsiness that I find adorable. She also kept us active, walking at least six kilometres each day. Babe did a stellar job of tiring us out so we’d sleep through the night.