Friday, November 30, 2007

The last day of November!

Computer is dying. Something about blogging made it sick months ago. And it has been in a state of gradual decline ever since. Getting out of Google-Reader to comment on blogs is like trudging through a pool of sludge. It requires much patience and prayer. And if there are graphics, or ads or layers on your page, it's almost hopeless. I click that link and walk away, to get a cup of coffee or fold some laundry, then come back to see if it was able to accomplish the task, or if it locked up passed out from the effort. And sometimes now, mid keystroke, it just turns itself off. Jumping ship. Grumpy and overloaded, it stubbornly refuses to do one thing more. I know how it feels.

The Man has been voicing loudly the need to reformat. That the best thing for computer is a fresh start. While I know this may be true, I have been resisting. Because The Man, while very nice to look at, and quite accomplished at many things, tends to leave things in a slightly altered state when he fixes them.

He's actually quite a whiz at computers. He has written code for program after program to do tasks as simple as manage our contacts or as complicated as run his business. But the last time he reformatted he wiped the information out of said contact manager completely, leaving me floundering on how to reach the voice teacher. Or my mother.

And it's not just computers. The toilets he has repaired do work, but with little irritating quirks that weren't there before. "Someone go jiggle the toilet thing" is now a daily request around here. And so, I have been understandably resistant, worrying what I would lose.

But I have surrendered. Computer is in pain and we need to do what's best for him. You know, so I can get back to surfing and commenting at will. Because I have a lot to say. And because it's Christmas time. And I need to s-h-o-p people.

So I ask you all to say a prayer for computer and his trip to The Man's hospital this weekend. That we would come through the other side new and refreshed and without any significant memory loss. That afterwards he would be able to do his work easily with the passion he once had. Opening up window after window with ease. That he would be well again, completely well.

With no jiggling required.

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What I am thankful for today. That November is over. I have posted 36 posts in November. THIRTY-SIX. Talk about self-indulgent ridiculousness. And the idea that I had, that I would just be popping on to write a quick line of thanks. That was pure stupidity on my part. It's been a time sucking machine. So when next November comes, if I even think of participating in this daily posting thing, someone please shoot me. Seriously.

10 comments:

Chrissy said...

You're so funny. 36 posts in one month is a formidable task. Way to hang in there.

When he's done with your computer, send him over to my house to speed mine up, too. Every time I click on Slouching Mom I get a big "Not Responding". No good.

Chaotic Joy said...

Chrissy-Not being able to get to Slouchy is what finally put me over the edge. Why do you think blogging makes your computer so slow? It seems the longer I do it (the more blogs I visit) the worse it gets.

S said...

Uh-oh. Really, guys? Maybe it's my site that's the problem. I think I need to get rid of Library Thing.

Google Reader's been behaving really strangely for me -- in the last 24 hours, it won't let me scroll up or down in my list of blogs.

Sigh.

Chaotic Joy said...

Slouchy-It is definately NOT just you. It's almost everyone that has a custom header or anything besides the standard blogger choices.

Christine said...

computers scare me. i hope it gets better!

thirtysomething said...

Wow. I am too impressed. That is a real accomplishment. Kudos!
I know, when I go to SM, it takes mine a lONG time, which is very frustrating, but clearly worth it. I must have my daily dose of Slouching Mom.
I am no good at computers either, I am sure mine needs formatting of some sort. Oh well. Sigh.
Hang in there.

Lori said...

I don't know much about computers but I think it has something to do with computers holding things in the equivalent of their "active working memory." Blogs are so graphic heavy that I think they take up a lot of space in that temporary memory bank, and so the more blogs you check, the more it gets bogged down. I THINK. I don't really know what I am talking about.

Thinking good thoughts for Computer!

Catherine said...

I hope your computer gets better. Maybe it just needs a break from those 36 posts. :) Congrats on making it through November! I could never have done it...

catherine

S said...

Joy -- Check with your husband, but maybe you should delete the cookies and temporary internet files that have built up on your computer over time. Go into Internet Options, and under the General tab, you'll find directions to do just that.

painted maypole said...

so glad nov is over, too.

Hmmm... our new computer (the one we bought after the old one caught of fire...) stopped working 8 days after we got it, and now we have had to mail it back to the company (on our dime, or rather our $50, of course) and I have been using our OLD computer, and it is really slow, too. There are some blogs (yes, like slouchy's) that I just can't bring myself to try to open, unless, as you said, I'm willing to walk away from the computer for a while, and check back later.

oh! and the same problem with google reader that SM said. so maybe that isn't my computer, but a problem on their end. that is mildly comforting.

hope yours is feeling better soon!