Rodney On Earth

*Breaking News*

It has recently been discovered that virtually EVERY mall in Jakarta has Wi-Fi (wireless Internet connection)! How cool is that?!?

At this moment I’m sitting in Coffee Bean (a Starbucks clone) typing on my laptop, with my friend Betty (a.k.a. Bets) looking over my shoulder as I type this.

Last night Bets and I were sitting in an Italian restaurant. I’m was trying to not choke on the way-too-much-garlic bread, when I saw the people at the table behind us.

Rod: “Those guys are singing Karaoke… ”
Bets: “Ya, it’s popular here.”
Rod: (thinking to self) “they suck!”

Rod: “Hey, that guy is using a laptop! There’s a Wi-Fi here???”
Bets: “Yes, most malls have wireless.”

*shock*

Bets was laughing at me, when my mouth fell open and my tongue rolled out like a red carpet. I knew some Starbucks in the USA have this free service, and even a few Burger Kings in Singapore, too.

(How demented is that? Making the already fat tech geeks sit even longer in a fat-burger and fries joint???).

I was totally speechless (a rare thing). I quickly calculated all the wonderful uses:

1. I can now use my pocket pc almost any mall that has a taxi queue!
2. I can write and check email from almost anywhere (insuring I never neglect emailing my friends)!
3. I can write these blog entries from almost anywhere!
4. I can “acquire” more yummy music and Japanese anime online!
   (I said “acquire” & not bootleg, steal or pirate which would be dishonest *smile*)

Ahhhh… To be connected again… I’ve truly missed being online. So far, most Internet cafes are too far away.

(The closest Internet cafe is actually across the street from my house, but crossing the street is like playing a 1980s game of Frogger. Also, it is always full of teens playing loud video games. The PCs are ancient Windows 98 driven oddities.)

There is a down side to using this wonderful Wi-Fi connection:

1. I will need to go to a mall (via taxi or the crowded TransJakarta bus system).
2. I will be tempted to drink more and more of the yummy iced mocha drinks

*Superman has kryptonite as his weakness; Iced mocha drinks are mine*

Ok, Jakarta’s stock is starting to rise *grin*