A Request

My visit with the little guy went great yesterday! He’s growing so quickly and I don’t want to miss a minute of it. Every time I see him, he has new words, new little games, and new feats. They stayed for dinner and left before it got too late, so I was tired but sated!
Originally, I had planned another boring post about some grammar/speaking pet peeves, but when I read Judy’s comment, I decided to veer off course and answer her question – how did I survive being without my computer for so long? Survive is the only way to describe it – I merely existed but wasn’t totally alive. At first, it seemed as if it could be corrected quickly. [Somehow I had contracted a serious virus, and it forced the operating system to constantly shut down.] My son, who is my tech guru, seemed to think a simple repair would do the trick. Unfortunately, it happened at the start of the busy summer season, and he had work obligations and vacation plans. When he finally got around to it, after a month had gone by, he realized there were serious problems. His friend – another techie – suggested some repairs, and even computer stores were stymied. After a few forays to the library and confrontations with the weirdoes, I started looking into a new computer – my old one wasn’t that old, though, and I had so much information stored on it! Hubby finally gave me a figure to work within if I wanted a new one. [Think wanting Blahnik at Payless!] I knew I had to live within a budget, but it’s so hard! Finally, I gave up the idea of a fully equipped laptop, and started looking into a new CPU. I already had a 20 inch flat screen monitor, a wireless keyboard and mouse, and the place to put it all. I just liked laptops better. So, I settled into the idea of returning to a desktop, and the unit has tons of memory and space. Son is still setting it all up, and I’m still using my daughter’s laptop, but soon it will be finished.

So, how did I survive? What did I do? At first, I was here at my desk just staring at the broken laptop with a dazed look. I went through withdrawal once when I stopped drinking caffeine, and this reaction was akin to those symptoms – headache, depression, short fuse, disbelief, ennui, etc. then I knew I needed replacement activities. If I had been smart, I would have filled in the void with healthy living routines; instead, I allowed myself to wallow. After all, I was used to being online for a great part of my day. Answering email, writing a post, making comments, checking Facebook, downloading/uploading, playing trivia games and doing puzzles, writing recipes were all part of my day. Then in an instant it stopped.

I missed my online buddies – I call you all my extended family, my kids say you’re my imaginary friends – and I was lonely. I began doubling my reading time as an escape – the library kept ordering new books for me, and I’d finish them quickly. I also began to watch way too much TV. I’d start with CNN or MSNBC – Hubby’s favorites, or I’d slip in GMA. I watched Regis doing his never-ending good-bye, and wondered who Kelly would have as a replacement. Sometimes I’d endure Rachael, but mostly I’d watch Martha. Whoopi, Joy, Elisabeth, Sherri, and ugh Barbara tried hard to entertain me, and if they couldn’t, Emeril was waiting to take over. [At least I spent a few hours visiting my mother, but on off days, I had The Chew.] Ellen can really amuse me, and Drs. Travis, Jim, Lisa, and Drew answered all my medical questions. I watched all the local stations for news, and stayed with annoying Diane for national and world events. Alec and Pat livened my evenings, and every night brought a new listing of favorites. My DVR was full and I realized I had a developed a first-name relationship with all my new buddies. My brain began to resemble jelly with all the mindless viewing taking place.

When I finally got back online after six months, I had come to some sad realizations – I was totally hooked on the computer and I had allowed the TV to become another addiction! Now, I’m trying to reorganize – a little less time on the computer and TV may keep me away from TA [ Technology Anonymous!] And I’m so relieved that my friends were there waiting for me!!

Peace,
Muff