Oh Noooooz! My computer be dying!

Feb. 6th, 2012 05:24 pm
aviv_b_artwork: (Default)


My computer has been getting more and more cantankerous over the last 6 months or so. Freezing up, failing to download small files, and an assorted number of other small problems. I lost audio two weeks ago and I haven't been able to restore it (It looks like there are no drivers for my two old sound cards). Ok, it is almost 11 years old, which apparently is like 110 in human years.

So, after the usual obsessive reading about computers, looking at ratings, looking at prices, I ordered a new PC last week. It should be arriving around the 15th. I'm actually having it delivered at work so that they can load some stuff on there so my work and home computers will be compatible. And I'll actually be able to use the remote log-in to our network.

I've been frantically backing up files - mostly photos in jpeg and photoshop formats. I have backed up some before, and I discovered that all my original pics from Peru didn't burn right - so they are gone forever. Meh! I have my slide show of the best pics, thank goodness.  I had numerous shut downs while burning (could be bad discs, IDK) but I finally got all the picture files backed up on DVD. (Yes, I did check the discs this time around). Whew!

Tonight I will attempt to burn a DVD of all my TW icons, pics, artwork and unfinished stories.  Its a race to the finish as to whether the computer will die completely before its replacement arrives. I actually got a blue screen of death last night, but was able to administer CPR and revive it.

This means you may be getting very short replies to your fics cause I'll probably be reading/responding from my smart phone. And I'll probably be posting from work during lunch or after (like now) so I'll be keeping it pretty G rated. Thank goodness my TW classic mini-bang story is PG. 

I may have taken my habit of using something until its all used up a little too far this time around. What do you think?

  • Current Mood: stressed
Tags:
  • Add Memory
  • Share This Entry

Why I won't be doing a 'Gimme, Gimme Meme!'

Nov. 28th, 2010 06:34 pm
aviv_b_artwork: (Default)
This is rant. A heartfelt, head-spinning rant. I've just received my third "Holiday Gift Meme" in as many days and I DO NOT WANT!

I normally avoid stores from Thanksgiving through the end of the year. Not only do I hate crowds, but the whole gimme grab leaves me saddened and exhausted. If I told you I didn't exchange gifts with friends, I'd be lying. But more and more, I've been moving toward gifts to charities, personal assistance to others in lieu of material gifts.

And while I don't begrudge any else's buying of gifts, its the not so subtle asking that seems to becoming a bit more ballsy the last few years.

My least favorite version of this phenomenon is the LJ/Facebook/Blog Christmas exchange list/Holiday gift meme.

The 'if you just happen to have a deluxe full feature camera, or an iPad, or gee, maybe a cashmere coat that you weren't planning on doing anything with - maybe you could send it my way?'

For the record - if I have something I don't need, I give it to charity. Coat I'm not wearing goes to charity. Sweater that doesn't fit - ditto. Blu ray player - how many people have spare blu ray players sitting around their house? And if you do, I'll bet a nursing home or children's hospital would be thrilled to have it.

Don't you feel any embarrassment at your obviously grubby begging meme, in many cases asking virtual strangers to give you stuff? Not food or clothes or shelter, but luxuries that no one has to have?

This isn't anything like a person trying to raise money to pay medical bills or offset funeral expenses or help with college tuition when their scholarship discontinued or vet bills for a sick pet.

This is asking your on-line pals to be Santa.You want something for free...use freecycle. But honestly, I don't want to be accosted with lists for wonderful sparkly items you'd like to have cause, well, because dammit everyone else has one.
 
In a year when the stated US unemployment rate is 10%, but the real unemployment rate is closer to 20%, people are losing jobs and homes faster than the blink of an eye, maybe, just maybe, this is the year where you say..."I  have all that I need, I have more than I need. I am not so self-involved that I think my need for an iphone deserves more attention than someone who doesn't have a winter coat."

And please don't tell me how filled with the Christmas spirit you are, or how Jewish you feel (whatever the hell that means) and then put up a list of what you want as gifts. Because really, who are you kidding?

Now in the interest of full disclosure, if anyone has the following hanging around in exra supply, please feel free to forward them to my attention. I'll make sure those who have real needs get these: 
  • Affordable health care for everyone
  • A government that works for the people not the big corporations
  • Food for everyone, so that no one goes to bed hungry
  • Ending discrimination against others because of their race, or religion, or country of origin, or sexual orientation, or gender or disability, or political beliefs or personal private behavior.
  • A decent job with decent pay and benefits for anyone who is willing to work.
That's my small list for the holidays. Funny thing, it hasn't needed changes for many, many years. And I suspect it won't be changing this year either.

So bah humbug to the gift list memes. 

I wonder how long it will take to get the first 'you're a stinkin' socialist' comment.



  • Current Mood: irritated
Tags:
  • Add Memory
  • Share This Entry

Why I won't be doing a 'Gimme, Gimme Meme!'

Nov. 28th, 2010 06:34 pm
aviv_b_artwork: (Default)
This is rant. A heartfelt, head-spinning rant. I've just received my third "Holiday Gift Meme" in as many days and I DO NOT WANT!

I normally avoid stores from Thanksgiving through the end of the year. Not only do I hate crowds, but the whole gimme grab leaves me saddened and exhausted. If I told you I didn't exchange gifts with friends, I'd be lying. But more and more, I've been moving toward gifts to charities, personal assistance to others in lieu of material gifts.

And while I don't begrudge any else's buying of gifts, its the not so subtle asking that seems to becoming a bit more ballsy the last few years.

My least favorite version of this phenomenon is the LJ/Facebook/Blog Christmas exchange list/Holiday gift meme.

The 'if you just happen to have a deluxe full feature camera, or an iPad, or gee, maybe a cashmere coat that you weren't planning on doing anything with - maybe you could send it my way?'

For the record - if I have something I don't need, I give it to charity. Coat I'm not wearing goes to charity. Sweater that doesn't fit - ditto. Blu ray player - how many people have spare blu ray players sitting around their house? And if you do, I'll bet a nursing home or children's hospital would be thrilled to have it.

Don't you feel any embarrassment at your obviously grubby begging meme, in many cases asking virtual strangers to give you stuff? Not food or clothes or shelter, but luxuries that no one has to have?

This isn't anything like a person trying to raise money to pay medical bills or offset funeral expenses or help with college tuition when their scholarship discontinued or vet bills for a sick pet.

This is asking your on-line pals to be Santa.You want something for free...use freecycle. But honestly, I don't want to be accosted with lists for wonderful sparkly items you'd like to have cause, well, because dammit everyone else has one.
 
In a year when the stated US unemployment rate is 10%, but the real unemployment rate is closer to 20%, people are losing jobs and homes faster than the blink of an eye, maybe, just maybe, this is the year where you say..."I  have all that I need, I have more than I need. I am not so self-involved that I think my need for an iphone deserves more attention than someone who doesn't have a winter coat."

And please don't tell me how filled with the Christmas spirit you are, or how Jewish you feel (whatever the hell that means) and then put up a list of what you want as gifts. Because really, who are you kidding?

Now in the interest of full disclosure, if anyone has the following hanging around in exra supply, please feel free to forward them to my attention. I'll make sure those who have real needs get these: 
  • Affordable health care for everyone
  • A government that works for the people not the big corporations
  • Food for everyone, so that no one goes to bed hungry
  • Ending discrimination against others because of their race, or religion, or country of origin, or sexual orientation, or gender or disability, or political beliefs or personal private behavior.
  • A decent job with decent pay and benefits for anyone who is willing to work.
That's my small list for the holidays. Funny thing, it hasn't needed changes for many, many years. And I suspect it won't be changing this year either.

So bah humbug to the gift list memes. 

I wonder how long it will take to get the first 'you're a stinkin' socialist' comment.



  • Current Mood: irritated
Tags:
  • Add Memory
  • Share This Entry

Profile

aviv_b_artwork: (Default)
aviv_b

August 2013

S M T W T F S
     12 3
45678910
11121314151617
18192021222324
25262728293031

Syndicate

RSS Atom

Most Popular Tags

Page Summary

Style Credit

Expand Cut Tags

No cut tags
Page generated Jul. 8th, 2025 07:37 pm
Powered by Dreamwidth Studios