Apparently 2012 is the year of electronics for yours truly.
My old computer was beginning to act up on a regular basis. Not only act up but it was slower than molasses. Seriously. It was a daily frustration that was only getting worse.
I bought my Dell laptop when we first moved to Idaho back in late 2004. Just a couple of years (maybe less) later it died a painful back-light death and we hooked the laptop up to a monitor. It was a sight. But, it worked and all was well. We had that contraption hooked up for five years and across 2500 miles. A couple of weeks ago Larry bought a new router and while its intention was to make everything else in the house run faster it actually did the opposite to my poor, dying computer and made the damn thing run slower.
So frustrating.
On a daily basis it would take minutes...seriously sit idle for THREE MINUTES...while waiting for your screen to go from a Google search to the site I was looking for. UGH! Start up took 20 minutes before I was able to do anything. Slow, slow, and SLOW. And, for someone who spends a lot of time on the computer doing research it was becoming FRUSTRATING just trying to navigate throughout the internet. It would lock up, freeze, need to be restarted. All. The. Time.
Larry finally suggested that maybe it is time to think about another computer. So, after he researched some we went last week and picked up my new laptop. It is fast and big and shiny and all the keys are intact, already a good sign.
I love being able to have a laptop again...yesterday I spent all day at the kitchen table so I could be in the same room as everyone...which I commented on until I realized that I should be grateful I have a big ole office here but it is at the total opposite end of the house. Anyway, I like being able to update blogs, search the internet, do a little research, write, whatever...in any room I want to be in. Of course, I still need Larry to help me unplugging all the parts, but I'll get it eventually.
I am not a big spender on stuff just because a wild hair has gotten up my ass and I want something new and fast and shiny. However, for me to do the work I intend to do this year I need something that will be faster and allow me to navigate through the internet at much faster speeds. I am happy with her, my new friend.
Over the weekend Larry said he was on my computer because it is his job in this marriage to make sure that my life with my new friend runs smoothly and without any glitches. I keep him fed and he makes sure my computer is always running correctly. Hey, it works.
Anyway.
He said he was doing a little research and discovered some Book thing that allows me to download books a-la-Kindle. In fact, he tells me, he found about four free Gettysburg books...and isn't that great?
Wait just a minute.
If he thinks the laptop is going to make me forget about the Kindle I just spend half a year trying to justify, he has another thing coming. I don't think so. Which is what I tell him. And, honestly I can't read-read like that online. I can research and edit but I can't focus on an entire book on a laptop. No. "Nice try" is what I tell him.
My old computer, you know the friend I so easily pushed aside for the newer, brighter, faster (hey!), more fun friend I am in love with now, has moved onto the desk in the laundry room and the kids have been able to go onto itunes and Jennifer can go onto Webkins because no one is allowed to even breathe on my laptop. In fact, bells will sound if anyone comes too close.
I have never allowed my kids on my computer but as they got older it seemed hard to withhold because they had to research things and type assignments and download music from itunes. When Larry moved back I wasn't as concerned because I knew if something happened to my old Betty that at least we still had his...because the minute the kids went on my computer I would start having problems. Now, between Larry's computer and my old one I can now enjoy my newest BFF in peace.
And she is fun. And shiny. And fast. And simply lovely. Makes me excited for the new year and all the writing possibilities. But, I'm still getting a Kindle.
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