Technology Fiasco – Help! (written 2/23/2007)

 

Ok I’ve already admitted it.  I’m a nerd.  I do nerdy things.  I work in technology I can program in Cobol.  I know JCL.  Yes I’m old!  There advantages to be a nerd. I can usually fix my own computer, configure my vcr, dvd, tivo, and configure and install wireless networks.  I’m a wizard at Access and Excel.  I know this is a big turn on to all you hot myspace guys.  In fact you’re probably feeling a little turned on by my skills but this is not the purpose of this diatribe.    I’m at my wits end and I need some help! I have a Phillips Go-Gear 30 GB hard disk MP3 player (I’m not bragging) that I had successfully loaded my entire CD library to of about 4,000 songs.  I refuse to do the Apple thing and be committed to their formats.  I have some commitment issues.  I’m working through it.  It was a beautiful thing:  my MP3 player, my music, a beach, a plane, developing an Excel macro.  Life was great if you know what I mean. Well feeling ambitious and not wanting to be left behind on anything.  I went and upgraded my Windows Media Player (WMP) to version 11.  That’s when my life became tragic, Shakesparean tragic.  Instantly my MP3 player stops synching.  No worries, I’ll just upgrade firmware download the latest patches.  Because reloading firmware wipes out all the data on your drive I’ll just re-sync.  Firmware – check!  Patches – check!  Security features – check!  Synching of music…. Synching of music… Syncing of music…. NOTHING! I’m still not worried.  I’ll just rollback.  Of course Microsoft makes the unloading of their software a breeze – HA!  But I persevere and I’ve rolled back to WMP10.  I get all the other little pieces that hook into your system as well off.  My MP3 connects and I begin syncing!  It’s transferring files…. 8, 15, 25, 30…  Hmmm seems to be locked up at 30 I’ll just reset MP3 player and re-start.  Transferring files… 4, 19, 36, 41 …hanging.  Since I’ve tried to upgrade my player I’ve only been able to load about 30 or 40 songs a time.    It seems to be taunting me because it only seems to load alphabetically or if it was created prior to 1988.  I seem to be only getting Abba, Bee Gees, Cher…  Look don’t pretend you don’t have those on your player too.  I love them but I like them scattered in the 4000 or so songs not the only 30 damn songs I can listen too.  The only bright spot of this entire fiasco is I’ve listened to the Blue October CD (over and over and over – its in the B’s) and it’s a fantastic CD.  I highly recommend it. Anybody have any suggestions before I go buy another $300 MP3 player?

I’m in love!

 

So its another Valentine’s day in the realm of singledom and I’m the virgin Queen.  Ok, not really but I liked the imagery.  Yes, another single Valentine’s day.  I wore the traditional black, head-to-toe, inside-out.  I could go into a rant about the foibles of men and trials and tribulations of being an aged single white female in the land of youth and beauty.  But Valentine’s day should be a day of love even if it has become too commercial.  I shouldn’t waste blog space rehashing regrets and recriminations today.  Any blog today should have a more positive / optimistic outlook.  Then it dawned on me.  I am in love! I’m in love with the fact that: I’ve never been divorced I’ve never been in abusive relationship I’ve never settled I’ve had some great relationships even if they weren’t ‘the one’ I’ve traveled to more placed in the world that most people even dream of I’ve achieved a level of financial security that I don’t worry about the day-to-day and I can pursue most of my passions Even if my body isn’t perfect, its healthy and still delivers on the demands I place on it I’ve got one hell of kid who’s also a incredible human being The universe gave me just the right father for that kid Every wrinkle is also a laugh or a day spent in the sun Every gray hair is a worry / obstacle overcome I prefer tulips to roses I have had a positive effect on people’s lives I have a mini-me I have the same friends I’ve had since college. My friends add context, texture, vibrancy (if sometimes complexity) to my life. All my options are open and my possibilities endless. ******************************************************************************** The only regret that I can think of is not wearing more sunscreen! ********************************************************************************** P.S.  I reserve the right to go back to being bitter, jaded and skeptical tomorrow.

Dear Dirk – Mavs vs. Sonics

 

It’s been awhile and I’ve been slow in getting this one out so I apologize. I got lucky and got some bowl seats for this game, only 10 rows from the court. It was awesome to watch you up close in all your glory. It was a really good game but I don’t remember most of the games as I had my eye to the viewfinder for half the game and focus on you the other. Apparently have my regular season seats has an advantage. Being far enough away it’s easier to keep perspective. My seatmates were getting highly annoyed with me. Did you see how nice Dirk is to the kids at the tip off? Do you see how Dirk runs? Did you see Dirk wipe his sweat? Did you see Dirk guard that weird Croation (or whatever he was) guy? Did you see Dirk make that basket? Do you see the way Dirk tugs on his shirt? Did you see the way Dirk dribbles? Do you see the way Dirk holds his mouthpiece when he’s not playing? They threatened to bodily eject me if I didn’t shut and since I couldn’t bear being away from you I toned it down but I was definitely saying it all to myself. For some reason this last week several people have asked me if you have a girlfriend. Can you believe how rude and insensitive people can be? I tell them as far as I’m concerned you do not (I don’t care what the truth is). Even if he doesn’t he’ll realize that its only temprorary until he meets me! I managed to take a few (ok 107) picture at the game. Dirk running, Dirk shooting, Dirk just standing there. Thank god I’ve figured out what mulit-burst means on my camera. None of them do you justice. I need to be closer! I coudn’t figure out how to copy them into the blog so they are in my pics. P.S. Let the hair grow back. I like my dirty, sweaty, hair flipping/tucking Dirk best!