Sunday, November 06, 2005

Just Another Sunday

Today I wanted to put in at least an hour of writing on my already behind NaNovel so I woke up early.

Someone, and I'm sorry but I can't remember who, told on his blog about his previous year's NaNovel getting corrupted by viruses or something like that. I boasted that I usually write on my laptop which isn't connected to the internet and therefore is very safe. What I didn't mention was that my laptop is nearly 8-years-old.

This morning, not being very different from others (yet), I stayed in bed and turned on my laptop. It had problems starting up, but hey, being seven and half, it wasn't the first time this happened and so I didn't get too anxious. When on the fifth attempt my laptop wouldn't start, I began to feel little pangs in my chest area. Forty-five minutes and two dozen attempts later you could have found me pulling my hair out. I no longer cared about my laptop, only about the material inside, especially the NaNovel (I have backups for most of the rest).

Eventually, after much qualm, I managed to start the computer in DOS mode and copy the necessary files onto a floppy. I sent copies of the files to my gmail, yahoo and msn accounts. Just to be on the safe side.

As I was finishing doing all that my alarm clock went off. I ran back to the bedroom, leaned over the bed to reach the night table and turned on my night lamp. You guessed it, the alarm clock didn't stop alarming. I tried turning off the night lamp. Nothing. I tried turning the night lamp on and off a few more times to no avails when I finally had an epiphany - turning on and off the light won't affect the alarm clock, perhaps I should try pushing the little button on the clock. Lo and behold - it worked, I did it! I chuckled to myself, feeling pretty silly, but already knowing what this day was about to turn to.

By this time I also needed to get dressed. So I did. Then I even put on my socks and heavy winter shoes on. I nearly left the room when I realized that while I was wearing shoes, I wasn't wearing any pants... That's right and you can imagine the sight: underwear, bare legs, socks to the knees and heavy winter shoes. This time I wasn't chuckling, I was laughing hysterically.


So, when a day like this happens, I always get the impression it wouldn't stop, but then again, if I don't take charge and change my day, who would? When these little mishaps happen I simply take a break, a deep breath and make myself come out of the funk (despite not writing anything for NaNo…)

Have a good day everybody and if things happen, try to laugh at them, and then maybe they'll laugh back - who knows?

Categories: , ,

18 comments:

rdl said...

Very funny, tho i'm sure it wasn't funny while you were fighting with that laptop. And at least you didn't go out and get the Sun. paper dressed like that. Have a great day!

Anonymous said...

That's hysterical, Melly. :) I'm so glad you were able to recover your NaNo story. Phew! I'll share one of my crazy stories with you.

One Saturday, I went up to San Francisco with a friend on a group shopping trip. She told me to bring a sweatshirt in case it was cold (which it often is).

I got dressed in the dark (hubby was asleep), and shoved what I thought was a sweatshirt into my oversized handbag. We took the bus up to SF. Just as predicted, it was cold.

So, I reached into my handbag to grab my sweatshirt and came out with my orange and black Garfield nightshirt! My friend and her mother had a good laugh, as did I. I'm just glad that we were in the touristy section, where there were plenty of clothes. :)

Happy Sunday!

Anonymous said...

I was laughing along with you :)

Oh I've had days like that. The best way to deal with it is laugh...and pray that tomorrow is a better day :)

Good luck on the writing. It seems like the world of blogging has gone quiet :) Everyone's busy writing those stories!!

Cavan said...

It could've been worse - you could've shown up to a NaNo write-in without any pants.

If it makes you feel any better, I spent 45 minutes today staring at my computer, trying to get the monitor to turn on. Of course, that was my fault (turns out I shouldn't try to install new video cards myself).

Jean said...

Oh, my. I have days like that sometimes. All you can do is laugh.

Patry Francis said...

I always get behind on weekends. We'll catch up tomorrow, right?

PaulDarcy said...

You always have a choice of how to react to any situation. I think you made the right one.

And my laptop is just as old (I wonder what it is in dog year?), and yes, everything I write is backed up because you just never know.

Anonymous said...

I probably would have said bugger it and gone back to bed!

Bet you're glad you didn't though.

Trée said...

Melly, feel free to copy me on all those files, just for safe keeping you see. :-)

Anonymous said...

Poor Melly, it's a good thing you found a way to get your files. When my laptop crashed. I lost everything. Nothing could be recovered.

On the other hand. I'm glad to know I'm not alone when it comes to haveing one of THOSE days.

Anonymous said...

Thanks rdl. That was lucky indeed :)

Deborah, that's hilarious. I tend to find the best clothes like that, when it's out of necessity and least expected.

Jennifer, it does seem quieter, doesn't it? Aren't you part of the NaNO madness?

Cavan, I hope your video card is properly installed by now and that you're back on track.

Jean, yup, nothing else to do but laugh, is there?

Patry, right now I'm catching up on pen and paper (this computer isn't available for my writing, only for short internet intervals). But I hope I am catching up somehow.

Paul, thank you for the encouragement.

Lee, the thought did cross my mind, but I'm glad I didn't.

Oh, Trée, thanks :)

Easywriter, sorry to hear about the loss of your stuff. These darn computers. Must learn to backup more diligently! (I say it as much to myself...). And you're definitely not alone in having days like that, seems to be universal :)

Pat Kirby said...

Must be something in the air. I've already lost the barn keys...spent quite a while searching whilst an angry horse screamed at the house.

For what it's worth, the husband got me a little USB drive with several Gb of space. It plugs into any computer with USB port/plug in thingies, whatever. I've trained myself to backup right before I log off the computer.

My laptop has a corrupted bios so it's always a gamble whether it'll boot up.

"ME" Liz Strauss said...

Melly,
Has anyone told you lately what a truly special person you are? So many folks would have had such a different reaction. I think it's so cool you could laugh about it.

Anonymous said...

No! I don't like deadlines. I've never had a problem writing nor do I like being pressured. Plus I'm currently focusing on studying for my exams for my architectural license...hence only a little writing has been going on.

Kiley said...

TOO DAMN FUNNY!!!!! I"ve had days like that, too. You just about lost me on the "shoes with no pants" thing...been there/done that as well. :-)

Jay Noel said...

Whoa Melly!

Thanks for the morning chuckle, that was a great story. I hope you got all your files OK, though.

Wearing heavy winter boots, socks up to your knees, and bare legs - you must've looked like the Eskimo Princess.

Anonymous said...

Take care of yourself up there in Toronto. I know it is very liberal and all, but even men who walk outside with no pants get strange looks.

Melly said...

Oh, Pat, corrupted bios. Seems to be a universal laptop problem. I think I'll get me one of them USB keys. Sounds so much easier than burning CDs.

Liz, that's me - shpecial... ;)

Okay Jennifer. No NaNo for you!
You're doing enough writing as it is, so who cares, right?

AriK, it's been a while. So awesome to see you. Figured you done something similar :)

Phoenix, Eskimo Princess??? Moi??? Why, thank you. I think. Oh, but thanks for the chuckle right back at ya :)

Oh, gosh, Scot. I'm still laughing. That's hilarious. What are clock hands, by the way? Just kidding... although I know way too many children who can't read a hand-clock.
Thanks Scot.

Oh, yeah, Lance. Absolutely! Although I do know a very macho guy who once went to work with his wife's pantyhose sort of stuck to his coat. He said he noticed people staring at him in the subway but being a 6'5'' big guy no one said anything...