In 2001 I reluctantly retired from an incredibly rewarding and satisfying 42-year teaching career. I had loved everything (well, almost everything) about teaching, but I was 62 years old and I wanted to leave the profession while I was still effective and enjoying my community
Wow, your article last week was really inspiring. I’d love to know more about how you got an Internet connection through your cell phone and how much it costs.
My lack of knowledge on this has prevented me from traveling sometimes. I bought a laptop, but I’m forever chained to my desktop. Even if you don’t have the time to tell me the details, maybe you can point in the right direction?
Also, I’d love for you to keep us posted about your travels. I’m sure you’ll do that.
Thank you,
Darla Bruno
Richard answering here…
We went with T-Mobile after reading this article, which reviewed all the cellular data services:
https://www.jiwire.com/cellular-data-introduction.htm
It is not the fastest, nor even the best coverage, but it was unlimited access for a flat monthly rate. Most of the other services charge you if you go over a certain quota. We’re on so much that I was afraid we would hit the quotas and get stuck with extra charges (hefty ones, in some cases).
Overall, it worked well. I wouldn’t do any heavy surfing on it, but the connection was good enough to do email and to access the administration pages on our sites (which are fairly small in size). Though there was some signal drop in certain areas, generally it held steady as we tooled down the road. T-Mobile’s coverage is pretty decent, especially along the major US highways.
The big plus is it allowed us to work while in transit. Usually when we go on these road trips, everything piles up until we stop for the night. Cellular data service lets us keep on top of stuff during that normally “dead time” while on the road. It is currently the only reliable option for Internet access while in transit on the highway.
It costs $29.99 per month for the service, and you have to buy a special card for $350 that fits into your laptop. (It is basically a cell phone without the “phone” part.)
Details are on the T-Mobile site here:
https://www.t-mobile.com/plans/default.asp?tab=internet
In 1994, I walked into my boss’ office at a major encyclopedia company to tell him that I needed to quit my job as an editorial coordinator because my husband had been accepted into a graduate program in another state. What I expected to hear was something like “sorry to see you go” or “you will be missed.” Instead, he said, “How would you like to stay on as a freelancer?” With no better prospects, I gladly accepted.
Next Step Magazine – Writer claims threats / payment issues
E-Spirit Holdings, LLC, publishers of Female Entrepreneur Magazine / Female Physician Magazine / Vancouver Health and Wealth Magazine / Fem New York / Fem Texas – Another writer posts complaint
picture.com – Photographer says there should be a law against doing business like this
Ashton International Media / Doll Reader Magazine – Columnist claims non-payment
We’re back home after our unplanned funeral trip to Indiana, and things are settling back to normal…well, almost. Okay, I don’t do this often, but I have to today. I must eat my words…
This Week:
I can vividly remember the green envelopes I used to receive once a week from each of my three newspaper employers. With paychecks enclosed, the tightly sealed business-size envelopes were usually distributed late in the afternoon. Sometimes, the checks were dispatched into employee mailboxes. On other occasions, the checks were dispensed in a silly ritual conducted by an administrative secretary or a middle management-type. The check distributors always seemed arrogant. They’d hand me my check and then stand there waiting for a “thank you.” They acted like they were doing me a favor
All I wanted for my third birthday were pencils and paper, my parents say. That writing passion still burns. At nine, I won poetry trophies. By 19, I was selling articles and poems to national magazines and newspapers for money. A teenage essay I wrote sold to the New York Times Op-Ed page. Soon after, Reader’s Digest sent me a check for reprint rights to excerpt that essay. When I married, I sold several short pieces to Modern Bride. I also sold dozens of opinion and inspirational articles to national religious magazines. The checks kept on coming. And they still do…
We’re still on the road, though now heading home to Maine. It’s been a sad, yet nostalgic trip for me, a fun trip for the children, and a stressful trip for Richard (because he does most of the driving).
