I didn't slip--I jumped from being abstinate.

I was extremely irate last night when I had continuing problems with Verizon dsl.  I've been having line problems with them over the past 2 years, but we seemed to get it corrected in mid Sept.  Then, I lost my connection on Thurs, called and found there was a problem in my area.  By Fri, I was back on the phone with their Tech support and called them everyday except Mon.  On Sun, I was on the phone line for 2.5 hours while they ran tests.  eventually the service came back Sun night.  Everything was fine on Mon and Tues morn they called to verify that--it was fine then.  2 hrs later, we had no connection.  I had my wife call this time because I had to go out.  She was on the phone for an hour but they corrected the problem again.  I came home that afternoon and it was still fine.  Last night I couldn't get on and I made the mistake of calling them at that time--I probably should have waited til morning.

The absolute jerk I got last night brushed me aside and said that the problem is obviously with my computer.  I became extremely irate and let go with a stream of expletives before hanging up.  I realized that I hadn't done anyone any good.  I needed to calm down.  I had already taken my meds and knew that I couldn't take any more antidepressants (overdose) without major problems.  I also knew that I couldn't have any alcoholic beverage because I might never wake up--permanent coma or even death.  Rather than suffer the deep pain, I went back to my "drug of choice"  which just happened to be about a cup of ice cream that my wife had left over from Thanksgiving.  I'm glad that was all there was--that fact limited how much I could eat.  I soon got drowsy and went to sleep.

I woke up feeling calm.  Strangely, I don't feel guilty but I do want to grow.  So, I picked myself up and ate a proper breakfast.  Then I called Verizon again.  While I was on the phone and before the tech rep had a chance to do anything, my connection was restored.  I apologized for my behavior last night but said that I knew that one rep was wrong.  He looked at my ticket and at the notes and he agreed.  They have a special section watching my case (and probably dozens of others) and they'll call back in a few days. 

So, here I go again at an hour at a time.  Actually, I haven't eaten anything inappropriate since I had the ice cream last night.  Let's just say that I've been clean so far today.  And, I thank God that I didn't go way off the deep end.  Bob

 Hey Bob, 

Don't be too hard on yourself.  Verizon and Comcast and most of those types of "lack of service" providers make us all NUTS!!!

So you had a cup of Ice Cream and went to sleep.  it's OK.  You got back on eating right this morning...now take it hour by hour, day by day.

 I contacted Verizon again and they explained that my internet explorer has corrupt files.  They are not authorized too correct this.  They suggested that I get online using a different browser.  I'm now using Google Chrome and everything is working fine.  It may take me a while to get used to it.  I've only used Internet Explorer ever since I've had a PC.

My eating is fine now.  I don't want to excuse my eating "slip" but I do realize that I chose the lesser evil last night.  I also say that as both a food addict and as someone who is manic-depressive.  

 I've also changed to Google Chrome and do find it to be a much better internet solution.

I also commend you on taking responsibility and being accountable.  Keep up the great job!  Mike

 Mike, I'm slowly getting used to the Google Chrome.  I've had internet explorer for like "forever"  and I've had friends suggest that I get rid of it.  Now the choice was made for me.  I could either pay Verizon $150 for 10 mos in addition to my regular internet fee or I could download Google Chrome for free.  Duh.  I found that I already had downloaded Google Chrome so I just made it my default internet browser.  Now I'm wondering if I should uninstall the internet explorer ( or can I/).  That's a small problem.  Thanks for your follow-up.  Bob

You are not likely to be able to delete IE from your PC, as long as your operating system is Microsoft based.   I have made every effort, for maybe ten years or more, not to use Microsoft products.  My email platform was Netscape for years, until more and more net users found incompatibilities with it.  I now use Mozilla Thunderbird, and love it.
I also use Mozilla Firefox as my web browser.  I like it way more than IE.
By the way... the malicious hackers out there who seem to like to write malware have so far ignored the lesser-used platforms of Netscape and Thunderbird. 

 I have a cousin who has some sort of supervisory capacity at a major ins co in NJ.  He's been advising me for years to get off of Internet Explorer.  Well, I finally did.  My needs are simple.  I just like to check in oh OH daily and look up some info,  I also like going to ALLMYFaves.com to check online magazines.  Like everyone else, I use e-mail to keep in touch with friends and family who have computers.  I don't text nor do anything on social networks.

After reading your note about sinking or swimming, I looked up my BMI.  It's down to 47 from a high in the mid 80s.  So, I don't know if I would sink even if I had rocks with me in a burlap bag.  When I was at my heaviest, I could float vertically.  People thought I was walking across a lake when I just floated in water that was way over my head.  Although I liked floating that way, I'd gladly give up that ability in exchange for further fat and weight loss.