I was once connected to my mainframe at work one night. I was just recovering from a BAD bout or pneumonia (the same epidemic back in 1990 that killed Jim Henson of Muppets fame) and was coughing constantly — it really was a nightmare. Well, while online at around midnight, I let out a mighty cough and it felt like my back just exploded! I could not breathe, I could not get up or really move at all, and I lived alone. But my hand was right next to the phone cord and I thought, “Gee, this is lucky!” as I pulled the phone toward me. But, when I lifted the receiver, all I could hear was that “SSSSSSSSSSSHHHHHHHHHH” of the already connected modem and I thought, “I am gonna DIE!”
After maybe 45 minutes I was able to force myself up through the hideous pain and finally disconnected my computer and called the hospital. It turned out that my cough had broken two ribs right where they joined my spine. I still get pain there sometimes more than 33 years later.
I like my FiOS 1Gb Internet connection MUCH better!
Uncle Kenny over 1 year ago
I remember those days. Except what I recall is someone picking up the receiver at another phone and booting me off the Internet.
Chithing Premium Member over 1 year ago
Curses. Foiled again, to no one’s surprise.
willie_mctell over 1 year ago
Can you get dial up?
Flatworm over 1 year ago
Aaah yes! The good ol’ Hayes Smartmodem!
I was once connected to my mainframe at work one night. I was just recovering from a BAD bout or pneumonia (the same epidemic back in 1990 that killed Jim Henson of Muppets fame) and was coughing constantly — it really was a nightmare. Well, while online at around midnight, I let out a mighty cough and it felt like my back just exploded! I could not breathe, I could not get up or really move at all, and I lived alone. But my hand was right next to the phone cord and I thought, “Gee, this is lucky!” as I pulled the phone toward me. But, when I lifted the receiver, all I could hear was that “SSSSSSSSSSSHHHHHHHHHH” of the already connected modem and I thought, “I am gonna DIE!”
After maybe 45 minutes I was able to force myself up through the hideous pain and finally disconnected my computer and called the hospital. It turned out that my cough had broken two ribs right where they joined my spine. I still get pain there sometimes more than 33 years later.
I like my FiOS 1Gb Internet connection MUCH better!
Arghhgarrr Premium Member over 1 year ago
From the looks of it Brandy might have heard him anyways even without the phone.