Alternatives

My anxiety has been through the roof the last few days.
I'm about to go on a plane for the first time.
I don't usually travel long distances.
Also my phone and internet were cut off for a couple of days.
I have survived without the internet before. For months at a time.
It's just hard to get used to
having something you are used to being taken away.
At first it was awful, but then you end up finding other things to do.
Like reading, or writing, or knitting, or crocheting,
playing games, and listening to music.
Catching up on chores and errands. All kinds of other stuff.
Then you get used to doing those things,
then not having the internet doesn't seem to matter much.
People have survived and lived long before we even had internet.
They found other ways to use their time.
To perfect crafts of all kinds, the arts aren't limited to crafts.

There was a guy at the bus stop last night
who had perfected the art of yo-yo-ing.
I don't know what to call it other than that. He was good.
People stopped to watch him. In awe.
One might use the internet to learn certain skills,
but once they are learned and especially mastered,
one doesn't need the internet for that anymore.
I've learned a lot of different knitting and crochet patterns online.
I have a collection of them online.
I also have lots of magazines and books full of patterns.
I went through a period where I would buy the newest knitting
or crocheting magazine. They go by season.
Different wool companies, also have their pattern books.
Some patterns are free where people go to buy wool.

Speaking of crocheting,
I was talking to a really nice lady on the train yesterday.
We talked about all kinds of patterns, and design stuff,
and there are a couple of instructors who are internet famous,
who were in Ottawa. I didn't know they were here.
Or that they were going to be here.
We talked about different kinds of wool or yarn.
I've been teaching my mother how to make a few things.
She wanted to learn how to make mice
because she wants to start making
and hopefully selling catnip mice.
I haven't made any mice or toys or any of that for a while.
Was making socks, and hats, a few small cases
for cell phones or whatever.
I caved and got a cellphone yesterday.
I never really wanted a cellphone. I hate them.
I don't want to be like the rest of the world.
Addicted to their cell phones
and not acknowledging anything or anyone around them.
There are pools and beaches that have signs that say:
"Get off your phone and pay attention to your kids."
People's kids have drowned because their parents were too busy
on their phones to watch their own children.
It's sad, infuriating, and disgusting all wrapped into one.
I only got it to have for emergencies.
Good to have while travelling, but other than that, I don't really need it.
I'm not one of those people who say:
"I couldn't live without my phone."
Nor do I ever want to be one of those people.
There is more to life than what is on a screen.
I find it sad that some people can't realize that.

Anyway, I just wanted to write an update of sorts.
I'll probably keep posting when I'm out of town,
but perhaps less frequently as I will be doing stuff.
Going places, seeing things, etc.
Going across the country for some people is a once in a lifetime thing.
Some people never get to leave the city or town
they lived in all their lives. I rarely get the chance to go anywhere.
So I may as well take the chance.
Plus there are other reasons for going.
Not just for the chance to go. There's more to it than that.

I've got some things to do today,
so I'm going to go do them.
There was something specific I was going to write about today,
but I can write about it later.