Selling Out For A Laptop

I have made a deal to get a new computer. It started out small. Borrow a little to get a netbook or a cheap laptop. Something portable to get by with. Nothing fancy, fairly low on features, maybe even used. It only had to last a year or so until I could get something a little more upgraded. It just had to work. Not even well. Just well enough. Then… I’m not sure what happened. I highly suspect the Toolman gene kicked in. I walked out of the store with something substantially more expensive than any of the concerned parties had considered.

Oh the debt I owe to my saviors now! But oh, the joy-gasm of having my very first laptop! It still isn’t the one I want, but I guess I really don’t need 8 GB of RAM. Nope. I couldn’t even type it with a straight face. Thank Heaven, this one is upgradable. : )

Toshiba Satellite L505

It’s got an awesome name, nifty features, and an infuriating OS that I’m still figuring out. Not that Windows 7 is difficult. It’s just that coming off of Linux and Windows XP you get a little lost in this latest attempt to mimic certain Apple features. I never made the switch to Windows Vista after seeing it in action, so I knew this latest incarnation would be interesting to say the least. Certain options I have taken for granted for years are now hidden in the most bizarre places. (I just want a thumbnail!). Using the help menu is rarely helpful. (There is a call your friend option!) And Heaven help you if you are trying to fix wireless issues while being sleep deprived and under caffeinated.(Find the answer on the internet? But I can’t connect you @**$^!%) Having said that, I do like a lot of what Microsoft has improved. The desktop gadgets are possibly the cutest waste of space ever. The search menus in the startup/folders is both awesome and horrible. The optional eco setting is pretty cool. And a big bonus is that so far I haven’t had to search for mysteriously moved files. Now, if only I could get Norton to go away completely…

Yup, this is so worth the payback I owe to my wonderful friends. Speaking of which, time to finish that to-do list I got handed.

Penpaling Around

I am going to preface this entry by saying that I do not advocate unsafe behavior. This article is intended for adults who know what they are doing and are looking strictly for friendship in other cultures. Kids should always ask permission from their parents and parents should always know what their kids are doing.

We now return you to your regularly scheduled blog.

I sure some of you know that I do the whole penpaling thing. I’m not sure how to spell that (somehow it looks butchered there), but it’s fun. At least it is to me. But I have no life and love other cultures and travel a whole hecka ton.

I got started because I was homebound with the flu and absolutely had to have someone to talk to. Then I started to get addicted. Now, I am a full-fledged penpal. You can do a lot with a hobby like this really. For one, you can stick to emails or go the more traditional route and write letters. Me, I like mail I can touch and collect stamps from. You can also start swapping. Swapping is basically where you find like-minded people and trade things through the mail. Bottle caps, postcards, seeds, pens and pencils, tea, patches, little toys, whatever you like.

So maybe, just maybe you’d like to start doing this whole penpal thing too, but aren’t sure how. Well, for starters, get to a search engine and type in penpal or free penpal or something like that. Now, you are going to get a whole lot of sites you do not want. It takes time to weed through them, so here is a very short list of some of the ones I recommend or know people who use.

Interpals.net – There is a really good search menu and so far almost all of my experiences here have been pleasant.

PenPal World – I used to use this a couple of years ago and it was great.

PenPals Point - I haven’t used this one, but some people I know do and like it.

Military Penpals – Read this site carefully before begining and use appropriate behavior!

Any Soldier – This is a freakin’ fabulous site.

I realize that this is a very short list, but these are some of the most easily accesible in my opinon. Also, keep in mind that each site has their own rules of conduct and you need to be mindful of them. Use discretion, common sense, and decorum.

Don’t give out your address, phone number, or personal information! Use a P.O. Box or just email! There are a lot of nasty people out there and you don’t want a predator or killer finding you!

Basically, just keep your head, start slow, and keep writing. Be consistent and know your limits. If you can only handle one or two penpals, stick with that number. I speak with experience. Don’t get excited, go overboard, then have ten letters a day to write. That isn’t fun for anyone involved.

Some people you will connect with, some you won’t. It takes time to build up a friendship. Just relax and keep talking. If you decide to meet, make certain that you take someone with you, keep your cell phone charged, let others know where you are going and what you will be up to, check in with others at appointed times (every hour or so), keep to daylight and public places.

As long as you play it safe, you can develop long lasting friendships this way. Good luck and have fun!

The Joys Of RAM

I have truly been blessed. Today my memory was upgraded! Did I get the 512 MB I was hoping for? No. Did Heaven grace me with a full Gig? Hell no. So, what did my glorious department get me? 2 GIG! Boo yeah! My socks are so totally rocked!

In fact, I was so deliriously happy, I went shopping right after work and bought more Halloween decorations. A girl can never have too many zombified crows, skulls, and themed ribbon.

I love my job! I love Halloween! I love the rainy weather! I even love this luke warm soy milk I’m drinking because it’s healthy!

Do you guys ever get this delirious? Or is it just half crazed, over worked, sleep deprived people like me?

And Thus, History Is Made!

For yea verily and yea heartily shall I have memory installed! Yes, you heard it here first! My office will be getting a memory upgrade! (Pity they can’t do that for my mind as well.) I shall go from 256 MB to 512 MB! Truly this is a glorious day! I shall sing my joy from the mountain tops while wearing a frock that Roger and Hammerstien can be proud of! “The room is alive with the sound of typing!“

Now, I shall be able to open an email without needing to wander aimlessly around the building killing the endless minutes it takes to load! Now, I shall be able to edit files without needing to call co-workers and ask why highlighting text requires additional memory to perform the function! Now, I will have the ability to listen to motivational music at work! Now, I shall be able to run two, count ‘em, TWO programs at once! Now, I can actually do the job I was hired to do!

…

Wait. You mean… I have to work now. Like, actual work?

Blink.