Well, OK, it didn’t exactly “crash.” I mean, there was no hole in the wall. There were no other bleeding computer owners standing around threatening to sue my pants off. Seven years (and one computer) ago, I somehow managed to delete a massive number of important files in one swell foop!
I took it to an IT expert, but he couldn’t recover the lost files because, he explained, they weren’t there anymore, not even in the dark abyss of hard drive Hades. Apparently, while I was googling to see what to do about the lost files my hard drive was happily writing over what was left of them!
So, I spent three days in cyber purgatory. Three days without a computer. Can you feel my pain? Yes, I have a phone, and, no, it’s not the same thing, you little Gen-Z twits!
My wife had no sympathy. Instead of being online networking with “all my little blogger pals” (no, she didn’t say that, but she thought it), I was forced to go for a walk with her (she always walks–she uses those outdated analog things, those, you know, “leg” things). We breathed in the crisp fall air, and watched the sun turn rosy-gold against a deepening blue sky, as warm, inviting lights clicked on in houses…with working computers!
Seriously, I did miss my little blogger pals. But I was also sort of glad it happened. It was like when someone’s house burns down and they stand watching from their neighbor’s yard, shivering and full of irrational joy.
Why? Because what really matters is that the people they love made it out, even if the furniture and clothes–and computers–didn’t, and they’re reminded just how much they treasure one another. Yes, they already knew that, but they’d started taking it for granted. Because they’re human, and that’s what humans do, take each other for granted and forget what really matters.
After all, in the end, what do I really need but love?
Well, a working computer would be nice.
Just made me fondly think of a Beatle’s song and you need to add a few lyrics. All you need is love, love, love, love is all you need and a working computer to depend upon. I hope it all works out for you,
Mitch, that was a beautiful tribute to your Dad one post ago.
Secondly, sorry to hear about your computer. Whatever you do, you don’t have to go to a Best Buy store for a new one. They’ll rip you off with an underpowered new unit. For the money you spend, you can get a really quality one off of Amazon. Mike
Thank you, Mike. (Actually, the computer crash happened seven years ago–mentioned in first paragraph, but easy to miss.)
Dangit Mitch, can’t believe I missed it lol. Glad to hear it worked out though!
😊 Well $30 later, a plug-in mini-keyboard into your phone port takes the edge off such horrors, but oh, how wonderful indeed to go all analog sometimes! 🍁
😊
Haha. You will survive!
I especially love how you proclaim the phone is not the same as the computer. Hear hear!
You have my sympathy. I just got back from 2 weeks in Sicily and Microsoft signed me out of my account on day 5 or 6 and then, when I could not retrieve a text fast enough to verify I am me, signed me out of my computer. After trying to sign in for a few days, I shut it down and did without for about 5 days. It was freeing (in some ways) but I am not used to using my phone for photo editing and other things, so I missed my laptop. Then, miraculously, it worked (maybe because I had visited a church with a relic).
;>) Undoubtedly, the relic was it, Madeline. Computers are suckers for icons.
What a nightmare! I loved the cartoon and the way you have handled your loss.
You have my sympathy and I can so relate!
Enjoy the peace and quiet (in your brain).
Oh my goodness. My old laptop has been acting funny lately. I have a new laptop but I am partial to my old one, because we have been inseperable for so many years. Hmmm. Maybe I should switch to my new laptop before the old one goes kaput. Or is it caput? Nope, according to my online dictionay, kaput is correct. Tell me, brother Mitch, how did we live before computers? 😀
Exactly, sis!
Love it! Mitch, we need our computers. I will say that unsolicited break was an opportunity to bless your wife. Walking is good for you by the way. Thanks for sharing.
My pleasure, San.
Oh no
Anita always was after me to walk with her, and we finally started waking 3-4 miles a day… when we walk. Over 80F I say No Way!
Under 40F and she says No Way! But as long as it’s in the sweet middle we do it almost every day.
Now she has a ski machine in the basement and I have the indoor stairs or the mall for the summer.🙏
Perfect, C.A. ;>)
Yes, working computers are nice. Working relationships are even better.
Well, for perspective, I’m in a minivan with everything I own, and neither space nor funds for a computer or it’s connection. Every one of my tens of thousands of posts has been made with one thumb on my handheld device.
On a funnier note, I missed a keyboard badly for the first year or two (I used to go 110 WPM on those things). Then one day I got to use one at a friend’s house. I found it cavernous and clunky, and generally looked forward to sitting quietly in meditation with my handheld device once again! Go figure!
Alternative perspective duly noted and appreciated, Ana.
You’re that appreciating kind, Mitch! ✌️💖
<3
Phones have the propensity to make decisions on their own. If you’re typing something, it decides when to send a message, or when to change the spelling of words, or when to put in extra punctuation. It’s an insubordinate contraption. 🙂
;>)
This post perfectly captures the “life goes on” attitude we need when things go wrong. I loved how you turned a frustrating moment into a reflection
of what’s truly important. It’s funny how sometimes we need these tech issues to give us a wake-up call about life and relationships. Great read!
Thanks, John.
Great perspective AND funny too! I am somewhat of a Luddite but electronics are “necessary” in today’s world. Our relational world increases in depth and richness when the electronics aren’t available. As a Luddite, I did not feel your pain. Grins. As a writer, I am with you brother.
;>)
I am sorry for your crashed computer. It is a desperate time in one’s life. I love my computer and my phone, neither of which I could go without for very long.
I no longer travel with my laptop, just my phone, but my husband carries both. We are definitely attached to the electronics.
However, we also love our people. And for most of the time, it’s the electronics that connect us to those lovely people.
Go get a new computer and backup everything to the cloud.
Actually, that was seven years ago, DK (mentioned in the first paragraph, but easy to miss), so I’m good. Thanks!
Oh no!
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