Week W/O my Laptop!

OK--mom went out of town a week ago Sunday and on Monday AM, just as I got to school and settled into the library for a morning of Facebooking and other distractions, my system FAILED!!! OMG, what should I/could I do?

 I called mom and explained my distress and I emailed daddy for advice.  Mom essentially told me to put my big girl panties on and deal with it; daddy is still looking for work after his place closed in August and his communication is erratic.  He was in logistics, so he is traveling up and down the East Coast looking for opportunities.  Sometimes he can be in a place and get email out; others times, he can't.  Anyway, I had to do something.

There is a local place where my mom has had her laptop worked on, so after lunch, I rode over to see him.  I'd contracted a virus that attacked the boot file (or some such cabalah-speak like that) and he would have to "blow away" my hard drive, then re-install an operating system. . . at this point, my anxiety began to rise to unprecedented levels (other than on math test days!)


First, did this "blowing away" mean everything would be gone?  Second--operating system--I don't know anything other than when I turn on the power, it starts up and I point and click to do my stuff.  Third--and most important--what's this going to cost?

"I think when all is said and done," the computer guy said, "you're looking at about $250."


I nearly swooned like Scarlet O'Hara on the news Ashley had been wounded! Two hundred and fifty dollars!!!

I left the laptop and went to my car and sat, listening to the rain pelting the hood.  Where could I get that sort of money?  Mom had left me $50 dollars when she took out on Sunday; she figured that would take care of my gas money and some meals if I wanted to eat some fast food. . . .I had a little money in my account--very little after tuition and books and supplies! What could I do?


I drove slowly back to school to get ready for my afternoon math class.  I felt so disconnected. . . .I went to the library and used one of the public computers.  But it wasn't the same.  I checked email, checked the online support for my classes, but I didn't even really want to log in to Facebook or blog or check my T35.com site! I felt like I was so exposed while using a public computer.

Then, after math class, and went in the pouring rain back to the dark, cold house. . . I was really freaking!  I was so used to mom being there when I got home at 7:00. . .and the dogs had peed in the kitchen on top of everything else! OMG what else could happen to me?


I cleaned up their stupid dogs' mess, walked them in the rain, brought them in, and drew an warm bath. . . .I sat there for over an hour, until the water was turning cool.  I gave the cats some dry food and pulled mom's raincoat and boots over my bare-assed self and walked the dogs once more. . . .

When I got in, I slipped off the dripping coat and boots, heated some water and a tea bag in the microwave, and cuddled under two afghans in the living room in the dark. . .I was naked, cold, miserable!

(More reflections on this week coming!)