Clarissa Johal: Death of a Computer

Thursday, January 24, 2013

Death of a Computer



This week I've been having computer issues. On top of that, our internet was down for two days.

While I'd love to say that being disconnected from the internet lent an epiphany of how reliant upon my computer I am, I can't. It sucked.
There are so many times I found myself wanting to look up a question that popped into my head, "How would one banish a demon and close a portal?" or needing to help my daughter with her 5th grade math homework, "How DO you write a variable expression where 48 is decreased by W?" (Really? WTH?), or even just feeling the need to check the weather forecast. And I couldn't do any of that.
Which gave me the screaming mee-mees.

I'll admit it, I'm reliant upon my computer for information. It's like my own little library. Not that I don't use the library, because I do. But the computer gives me instant info with the tap of the keys.

During this information blackout, my laptop decided to act up as well. I can suffer through being disconnected from our home internet service, because I DO have my teeny-tiny little phone and it's miniscule keypad if I really feel the need to surf. But my computer dying on me? No.

So, the first draft of the novel I'm working on now and all my random writing from the past six months--were sitting on my desktop, waiting patiently to be transferred to a memory stick. And and there they sat, with me unable to retrieve them.
I swear all my nefarious, supernatural creatures just suck the life out of my computers because I've gone through three of them in the past few years.
After having a full-blown tantrum (why do kiddos always catch you swearing at inanimate objects?) I calmly informed my husband that I was going to expire and jump off a cliff, not necessarily in that order.
My husband is my hero. He was able to perform surgery on my computer and retrieve everything I had been working on.
He's just clever like that.

This week, I'm left without a laptop and relegated to a desk top computer. I'm not complaining however, because I have my writing.
My supernatural creatures have some explaining to do.

10 comments:

Heather R. Holden said...

Glad to hear your husband was able to retrieve all your files! I've had computers die on me in the past, and it's never fun when something gets lost forever as a result...

It's also not fun to live without the internet. Last year, I didn't have an internet connection for months, thanks to my provider suddenly turning all screwy. Good thing yours was only out for a couple days!

Clarissa Johal, Author said...

Months would send me to the nut house, omg.

Sheri said...

Clarissa, I feel the same way! I am always amazed at how often I run to my computer (mine IS a laptop) for information. Google is far better than any teacher, mentor or knowledgeable friend that I have ever had! Plus, I can shop!

So glad everything turned out OK!

Clarissa Johal, Author said...

Oh good, I'm not the only one, then! What can I say? I'm an information gatherer, lol. Shopping too, anything to avoid the crowds.

Anonymous said...

I would have no choice but to organize my closet if the Internet went down, but I'd be beyond frustrated. I cannot work if the Internet doesn't work.

Clarissa Johal, Author said...

I ended up cleaning my fish tanks--same thing, lol

Anonymous said...

THat's a lovely article, it made me smile on a rainy morning here in Ireland as I work at my desk, thank you for posting. I love your blog, came to it via Emma, delighted to drop by. Will visit again. The picture of the poor computer with flowers and it's innards on display, tragic!!!

Clarissa Johal, Author said...

Well, thank you for stopping by, Kevin! I'll gladly trade weather with you, it's looks to hit 70F this week after some snow last week(??) Crazy weather. I love the rain. Have a great week. :)

Unknown said...

It’s good that your husband was there to help you retrieve all the files from the broken computer. Otherwise, all the effort and time you spent on your work would all go down the drain. I think it would be a good idea to backup your work on CDs or a USB Flash drive. That way, you can continue your work on another computer.


@Benita Bolland

Clarissa Johal, Author said...

I do have many of those, Benita! I just don't update them daily :) I get wrapped up in other things, lol. Thanks for stopping by!