From the Editor
Last weekend, my world came to a screeching halt in the smallest of ways. The cable went out Friday afternoon, leaving us with no TV or internet. Of course, no one could come to service it until Monday.
As the hours slowly passed, I was surprised that every part of my life I relied on wouldn’t turn on. Alexa, my artificially intelligent assistant, was unable to wake me up in the morning, play Elton John while I got dressed, or remind me to pick up sparkling water from the grocery store. Bob works primarily on a desktop in his office, so he was completely unable to communicate with advertisers or graphic designers.
Worst of all, my favorite relaxation ritual, watching “Seinfeld” reruns, seemed impossible. In fact, any form of live television or streaming services could not be accessed no matter how much we grumbled.
Eventually, we had to dust off an old XBOX 360 and pull DVDs out of the garage, trying to unwind while “Iron Man 2” played in the background. Tony Stark is nowhere near as funny as Kramer.
The loss of cable and internet turned out to be a gift in disguise. For the first time in several months, I got off the couch in the evenings, ready for some fun. Bob, tired of trying to hack his way onto the nonexistent wifi, brainstormed with me to try to find alternatives to our typical routine.
On Saturday night, we attended the Margate Funfest After Dark. Along the bay in Margate. Bands played and people danced and the streets were lit up with decorative lights and big smiles.
The boardwalk area and dock had stations with unique and seasonal spirits and food. Feeling free and whimsical with friends and dancing alongside a rambunctious Mr. Peanut made the night memorable to the max.
The next day, we had to make the big decision about where to watch the football game. Bob mentioned a tailgate event in Brigantine on the beach, which we agreed would be the coolest combination ever. My daughter Sarah, Bob, and our two dogs packed in my SUV and we drove onto the island.
Hundreds of people were on beach chairs, some with coolers, a pizza or snacks. There were also a large number of Jeeps and trucks pulled up to view the game. A food truck was at the beach entrance in case anyone wanted something. We loved the communal cheers as the Eagles crushed Washington in an epic blowout.
Today, our internet and cable have been restored. Bob can work from home, Sarah can scroll through TikTok and I can laugh along with Jerry and the Gang every night before bed. I’m thankful that my world has returned to normality, but I reflect on this experience and how miniscule a lack of internet is compared to tragedies across the world.
As I write this, all eyes are on the hurricane forecasted to hit Florida. Many of us have friends, and family there and maybe even second homes. This really puts our cable problem into perspective. As we approach the 10-year anniversary of Sandy, our thoughts and prayers are with the people in Florida facing the terrifying winds and rising waters of Hurricane Ian. May God bless and protect them.
To all our readers, I hope that you have a wonderful week and enjoy the seasonal festivities of October. Sending positive vibes to you and your family, no matter what problem you may need to overcome.
Peace & Love,
Cindy
