Have you ever had one of “those days”? Well how about one of “those” weeks? I know you have; we all have.
It’s one of those weeks when all the best laid plans go somewhere hot in a handbasket.
I tend to be an optimist. If I have a rough day, I assume things will get better the next day. Or perhaps even by that evening.
Like Monty Python, I’m always looking on the bright side of life (add your own whistles here).
But recently, I had one week that was so full of “what in the heck can happen next,” that it was difficult for me to assume that the sun would come out tomorrow, that I would not worry and be happy, and that I’d be walkin’ on sunshine in no time.
Of course, this week took place just before I was headed with my husband and some friends out of town on a long weekend.
Because if a crappy week is going to happen, let’s be sure to have it fall just before vacation.
The week started off fine—but so do all horror movies. I was working, thinking about spending a relaxing weekend away, and generally thinking happy thoughts. I had a lot of work to finish before I left town, but I knew I could get it completed with no problem.
Until Wednesday morning…
The night before, I decided to turn my computer off. I tend to leave it on and let it go into “sleep” mode. Every so often, I turn it off and then start it up so that it can reboot. So on Tuesday night, I came into my office, checked my email, and then turned off my computer. I figured it needed a rest, so I decided to let it sit overnight and turn it on the next morning.
I’ll be you can see what’s coming a mile away…
I got up early, ready to work. I had a big story to write for a national publication.
I turned on the computer. It began making the normal noises that computers make, so I did some paperwork while I waited for it to boot up.
I looked at my monitor and nothing was happening.
Hmmmm…I thought. I guess I didn’t turn my monitor back on. I turned it on, which was actually turning it off because I had already turned it on. I turned it on again. The screen stayed black.
I turned it on and off a few times because, well, when we tech luddites don’t know what to do, that’s what we do.
Nothing happened…
I thought that it must be the computer. I leaned down to turn it off and then back on (see reason why above).
That’s when I realized it—my computer wasn’t on.
I turned it on again. It started to make normal noises…then it just stopped.
Well, I couldn’t turn it off and on, so I called my husband. I told him that my computer wouldn’t work.
“Did you turn it off and then back on?” he asked.
Bill Gates should be shivering in his boots right about now because with our computer skills, we’re apt to take over his empire.
It needed to go to the shop. While my assistant took it there, I thought that I would start working on my story.
I got out my laptop and began. Then I realized that going from a PC (my temporarily dead desktop) to a MAC (my laptop), while not brain surgery, is also not the easiest thing in the world.
Especially when you’re on deadline, you’ve got two other stories to write in the next two days, and you’re getting ready to go on vacation.
Gasp, sputter, wheeze…
The good news is that my computer could be fixed. I was able to pick it up the day we got home.
What did I learn from this fiasco? That laptop keys are or at least seem much tinier than those of a regular keyboard.
That if you buy a laptop for backup use, actually USE it sometimes to write more than a funny quip on Facebook or an answer to an email. Because when you want to type quickly on it, you may end up with tons of gibberish before you get used to it.
Lastly, if you think you’re smart because you have a computerized travel list so that when you pack, you don’t have to think of anything, make sure you have a copy printed out or save it on the aforementioned laptop.
Because doing so might just make one of “those” weeks seem a tiny bit better. Almost…
Michele Wojciechowski, when’s she not frantically packing from memory and over packing in the process, writes Wojo’s World™ from Baltimore.