My access point is in the house and the home office is a seperate building. Because my PowerBook casing and two solid walls interfere with my signal, I'm developing a weird relationship with my technology. I've tried the Pringles can, antenna positioning -- everything except putting the AP outside, buying a new antenna, hotspot or sledgehammer.
Some days it works great and I'm happily buzzing away. Some days it doesn't, kind of like when NPR has a call drive. Some days you will find me standing in the backyard deperately trying to send out an urgent email and my wife looking at me through the window with grave concern. Some days I am convinced I need to hug my computer to extend the signal. Its bringing us close, but hard to do when typing. Some days it seems my laptop needs distance, so I post with extended arms, sunk as low into the chair as possible. But I miss the warmth on my lap in the winter. Some days its best to keep moving as though antsy-ness is the cure for interference.
Sure, there are easy solutions to this and better things to do with my time than chasing shadows, but have grown to appreciate the quirks in the relationship.
Better go outside to post it.