Happiness is a Warm Gun...

No, no, no...I mean, happiness is a fast Internet! 

I only need a gun when the Internet is slow.

I don't know what happened but the Internet speed is up over the last 5 days to a tolerable level.  The reliability is still an issue but it's a start.  

A new fiber optic line was supposed to by installed from David to Panama City.  All the Internet providers use this one line and it was hopelessly over loaded.  A couple of weeks ago, the new line was in operation with only a slight increase in speed.  How disappointing!

Then, all of a sudden, the speed increased.  I originally thought the 4 day holiday weekend was the source of the increase in speed, with the diminished usage through the holidays.  But this morning and afternoon, the speed is still up.  I don't know what happened, but it is marvelous now!  I just hope it continues.

I know this sounds a little like the Spoiled American Brat talking, but communication is a great help to being happy in an isolated place.  I can watch a video clip now, check email in less than a hour, carry on a phone call and actually understand what is said...this is progress, my friends!

Now on to deeper issues.  (Oh no, not deeper issues!  Can't he keep this to himself, for God's sake!)

In hindsight, looking back over the last 3 days, I experienced a deep sense of loneliness.  Maybe caused by some throw back, childhood reaction to Catholicism  and Easter Week, or the fact that my friends were not available.  And, things were a little off and unsatisfying with the people helping me celebrate my birthday.  Leaving me feeling a little ripped off.

Friends are so important here.  I think they help alleviate the stress and unknown caused by being in a new, country.  A distraction, so to speak.

Thankfully, all this lifted this morning.  I bumped into my landlord early and we had a good talk.  Then, on to a meeting and lunch afterward with friends.  

Ah!  Friends are good.  Now I can appreciate the magnificent weather today.  Today is warm, comfortable, overcast with a slight threat of rain.  A little breeze...perfect!

Plus, for icing on the cake, Yella is doing well.  Things are starting to jell for her.  And that is very good.  In a moment of truth, I will admit, a happy wife is a happy husband.

Sad but true.  

Adios!