Dealing With Computer Issues...Just A Part Of Life

 You may not know it, but right now I'm waging a war, a race against time. The enemy...?

My laptop.

For the past couple of weeks, my laptop has been on the fritz. It began with the occasional freezing. Previously, it would lock up a couple of times a year, but something changed. Since it happening frequently lately, I'd force shut down, the start it back up again. I did an internet search trying to see if I could remedy the problem.

I thought I fixed it, and I did see a change, but that was short-lived. Now, the computer just shuts down--no freeze, just shuts down. When I fire it up again, I see the above message.

I bought this computer years ago...I can't remember how many exactly, but I could look it up. My guess is it's something I can get fixed by taking it into the Apple store or another Mac repair shop. It worries me, thought. There's the cost to fix it, of course, and because I don't know what's causing the problem, I don't know how pricy it's going to be. Then there's not having access to the computer and that's tough when I'm blogging daily and posting a daily picture. But, I've done it before and I can do it again.

I understand this is a first-world problem. However, we are so dependent upon technology--the latest technology and the technology working correctly.

So far on this blog post, it hasn't shut down. Another day done.

What A Way To Start The Day...Under The Control Of Machines

This morning began like most work days...I woke up, got dressed, and headed to my work station. I fired up the computer, was met with the calming twin blue screens, and I clicked to the VPM icon.

That's where the trouble started.

I remember growing up watching movies that depicted a hellish future where computers and robots enslaved humans to do their soul-less mechanical bidding. Well, it's the future and I think we're there. Sure, my telecommuting computer doesn't look like an evil robot, but it kind of is. Because, like many of you, I work at home, and if the computer or phones or internet is down, so am I. I'm powerless, inhibited...in a word, enslaved to the machines.

When I couldn't get in, I sent an e-mail to our computer help desk people. They responded that there was an issue. I had to wait until things changed. 

I waited...

And I waited...

And I waited...

Three and a half hours later, something changed on my screen and I was able to log in and get to work. I'm not blaming anyone, and I apologize if I've given that impression. No, these things happen, they've happened before, and they will definitely happen again. If anything, I'm kind of amazed each time we have computer issues how fast they get fixed.

This is our world. Years ago weather and animals used to have control over humans. Now, it's computers and internet. Thankfully, this morning's events were an anomaly. I'm thinking tomorrow I'll wake up, get dressed, head down to my work station, and get right to work.

That is, if my machine overlords allow me to do so.