in which I have a new computer // the post of ten days

Day Zero

As I'm typing this, it is actually Friday October 12th 2012 and while I'm not going to be posting this for a while, I wanted to start now.

Because keeping this under my hat (to coin the phrase) is rather part of the excitement.

And I know it's going to kill me, but just waiting is already killing me.

I guess I should probably explain, huh?

As many of you may know, I've been working hard, and saving for a new computer. Because it's been computer woes, and even more computer woes with my poor little laptop.

Which means its been hard to even get a minimum of school done, let alone have the computer power for work as well...making earning money for a new computer all the more difficult.

For my birthday, just a couple weeks ago, I asked that anyone interested in sending me a gift, instead contribute to my computer fund.

Okay, cutting to the chase now......
I was able to order my computer this morning!!!!!!!

It all happened in a crazy turn of events of which I'm not entirely sure how it came about.

Basically I was very generously offered the opportunity to buy my computer now, and pay it off as I have the money. (I will have it mostly paid off by the end of the year.)

And since I will have it, that means I'll be able to do more computer reliant work and make more money that way!

Now, I just want to end this little-beginning with an expression of deep gratitude, and thankfulness, as well as surprise, and excitement.

God works in mysterious ways my friends.

Hopefully you'll be hearing from me more often, as with the arrival of a new computer (that I don't have to battle) is imminent.
Probably a new blog design in the future as well...going to have to get to know some special new programs! ;D

Day Four

So, it is now Tuesday, October 16th.

I think I've already drove my family crazy talking about my new computer.

Have I told you all that I've named it?

Yes...intensely weird and geeky of me...just wait.
Though, in my defense, I've had the name picked out for little more than a month.

On Sunday I asked someone if they'd like to see a picture of my youngest child...then showed them a picture of my computer.

Playing along good natured-ly, she asks "What's her name?"...I don't think she was actually expecting me to have an answer.

Any day now my extra RAM should arrive. My iMac is still due on Friday, and my Adobe Software should be in the mailbox on Saturday.

Day Six

Thursday October 18th.

I think I check the order status for my computer several BILLION times a day.
Okay...maybe not billion in all caps...but it's so much I can't actually be bothered with keeping count.

It's a lot.

Last night I checked the status of my order and became crazy excited because my computer's status had chanced to "shipping to store". (It was "processing order" for the first few days, followed by "preparing for shipment" late, late Tuesday.)

In the moment it was really exciting.

And I was thinking "YESSSS I'M GOING TO HAVE MY COMPUTER ON FRIDAY". Because that's when the "available at store" date said I would be able to pick it up.

Well, *sad face* I looked down and realized that the available-for-pickup date had also changed...to the 22nd.
Meaning Monday.

At first that really bummed me out. A lot. Because I want it now.
However, the patient, logical side of me was rather pleased.

Because on the scale of torture, it's better to wait two extra days to have it, than to get it and have to work for two days while it sits at home. That's way worse.

Now, at least this way it's a slightly nicer agony...and I'll have a few days to play with it *cough* I mean get it all set up and whatnot before I have to clean toilets (during the weekend) again.

And this way, I should have my extra RAM and my Adobe Software already at home, ready to go when I get my computer.

Is this what optimism feels like?

*squeals with excitement*

Day Waiting Over

Tuesday October 23rd, 2012

Yesterday was the super important day in which I picked up my iMac.

Everyone, I would like you to meet Excalibur!

Because, yes, I had to name my computer in an incredibly geeky manner.

I've been working on getting things installed and working; as well as just generally getting the hang of things as this is completely new to me!
You heard that right, this is my first Mac...in fact, I'd never even used a Mac before I got Excalibur up and running last night.

Which makes this quite a leap from PC to Mac.
But I do believe I rather like it.

Also, just a general impression, it's all screen and the screen is HUGE.
Not in a bad way, mind you. I just don't have a very good concept of 27" (or any other measurement...) so yeah, it's more than two feet of screen. Which is pretty massive in the way of screens.
And also amazing.

Which makes editing your first photo with Lightroom insanely gorgeous.

Makes me happy I invested in a camera this spring.

Good things to come my friends. Fantastic, creative things.

And with another mention of my intense gratefulness, I bid you all well, and a goodnight.

18 for 18

So, everyone, in case you didn't know...yesterday was my birthday!

Yeah, 18, wow, craziness.
Not as amazing as some people seem to think. Nothing in my opinion to particularly look forward to...
Anyways...for the last few years I've done a facts thing on my birthday, compiling as many facts as there are years for my life.

SO...here we go.

1.

tumblr

I am kind of completely obsessed with tumblr. this time last year, I was addicted to pinterest.

2.

I don't have a favorite tv show, movie, book, song, artist or album.

there's just too many I really like there's absolutely no way to pick

3.

I still really want to go to Scotland.

I don't feel that needs much explanation.

4.

I rather adore nail polish.

this time last year I was head over heels for blue nail polish...ironically, that hasn't gone away. while I wouldn't say "head over heels" for only blue nail polish, I do just love nail polish. though my current favorite color is blue...TARDIS blue to be exact (aka Mesmerize by ESSIE).

5.

I have a camera

this time last year I was longing for a Nikon camera...a good camera. this spring I finally had the funds to invest in one. and...I got even better than what I wished for in October of last year.

6.

TWLOHA is still the best organization ever

'nough said

7.

driving still freaks me out

in fact I still don't have my license...

8.

the last book I read the whole of was The House at Sea's End by Elly Griffiths

and that was a couple weeks ago. I have the next one...but because of my reading-heavy anthropology college class I haven't had time to crack the next one yet.

9.

I'm even geekier/nerdier/dorkier than I was last year.

it's grown so much I'm almost worried about frightening you lot away with all of it...that's why I love my tumblr.

10.

I long for a new computer.

I have the camera I've always dreamed of, and while short the lens I'm really needing for it, my little laptop of four years is dying. I need a new computer that isn't only going to fulfill my needs for processing photos and doing school but also be equal to the task of running intensive programs for web design as well.

11.

I would like to lose weight.

my brain and the rest of me disagree on when to exercise however...so that makes it difficult *cough*

12.

I need a new computer.

so badly that I had to post it twice...

13.

I bought my first lottery ticket yesterday.

I realized at about 5 in the evening that I was old enough to win the lottery...fingers crossed, eh?

14.

Doctor Who is fantastic!

um...no explanation needed

15.

I've considered sending my camera back.

yes. as slightly ashamed as I am to admit it, it's been considered. and seriously considered. and reconsidered. I need a new computer that bad people...

16.

I've had a fall blog design in the works since this spring.

my computer has been so crashy though I can barely run the program to finish some graphics for it which is why it has not come to be sooner...it was originally supposed to be the spring design.

17.

I don't do anything to celebrate my birthday.

...because...

18.

I don't want to grow up...

the birthday wishlist

Dear friends and family,

This coming Monday, October 1^st, marks the date as 18 years since my birth in the fall of 1994.

Many people find this to be an important birthday (turning 18) and I have been asked more often than not, what I’m doing to celebrate.

Not really anything has become my standing answer.

Just to get things straight, I’m not expecting gifts from anyone, nor am I asking for them.

But if any of you feel compelled to send a gift my way I would like you to know something.

As I have gotten older, I’ve learned the respect of earning my own money and working for things I want. I’ve come to understand and commit to the importance of investing in things that will be tools not only to my education, but also to my work.

A few years ago I took a course on the basics of web design; the end result was a not only a new outlet for design and creativity but also a newfound appreciation for the work that goes into building a website. I learned a lot and found myself surprised at how much I enjoyed it.

For years I’ve enjoyed photography and just this spring saved my money and invested in a good photography camera.

At this point in time I have had the same basic laptop for four years. It has served its purpose well and gotten me through many a college essay and project. But, my little laptop is reaching the end of its life. Sadly it’s becoming more of a problem than a help, and is barely up to the task of running one program at a time. This, in the realm of wanting to grow as a designer and photographer, makes doing so rather difficult.

It also makes all of my (online) college classes rather difficult when I don’t have a working computer.

Unfortunately, a computer that meets my needs for doing web and graphic design as well as photography professionally is rather pricey. Because of the few small job opportunities I have where I live, I’m working as much as I possibly can on top of school and family activities.

Therefore, if anyone is interested in knowing what I would like for a birthday gift, I would be ever so extremely thankful for contributions to the fund for my new computer.

Thanks so much for your time, support, and reading this little letter of mine.

Hope you’re all doing well, and thank you for the birthday wishes.

-Siri

computer woes

After getting my wisdom teeth out I was planning and setting up a job that will have me working a weekend in July, a weekend in September, and every weekend in October.

All through August I have another job that I'm working, in a lab.

And so I started seriously talking about replacing my computer.
Sure, it's something that I've talked about in passing, just in consideration; never serious.

But I looked at how much I'd be making and started seriously talking, and seriously looking.

As irony would have it I was talking and browsing and my computer told me "hey, you need to update some stuff."

I figured, yeah, yeah that's important. Let's do that.

A service will be held tomorrow for the passing of my computer which I believe to be no more. Judging by its failure to install updates followed by the blue screen of death and upon it's every attempt to reboot, three more blue screens of death; I would say my laptop has officially reached the end of it's life. This is bad. Very, very, insurmountably bad.

-July 10th via facebook

Little did I know what repercussions a standard update would have.

For those of you who won't know, I've had my computer since the fall of 2008. So it's been almost four years.
Seven months after I bought my computer - right after the battery warranty expired - my battery became obsolete. Except for possibly keeping the connections free from obstructions my battery has been dead weight for the last three years.
That was only the beginnings of my problems.

Don't get me wrong, I love my computer. I bought it, I use it for work and school and I thank God for the provision of it.

It's served me well.

But on with my story.

I updated, normal, useful updates that are usually helpful.
But about halfway through the process of downloading, running and installing updates my computer suddenly lost internet.

Thinking this strange I worried that the router for our wifi had been turned off.
Um, no.
That was working fine.

Something went wrong, the internet was seemingly gone...and then came the blue screen of death.

The bearer of bad news when it shows up on a computer.

And it kept going. Blue screen of death, restart, blue screen of death.

Here's basically what happened via my Facebook updates...

This is what happens when I start seriously discussing getting a new computer. Mine decides to die and fail completely...when I'm still two years of funds out from even getting a new one. -July 11th

Well...my mom and her magical computer knowledge (thank you mom!) managed to get my computer to actually turn on last night and run a scan. everything came up fine. then we turned off the computer and went to bed. turned it on this morning and everything looked fine but as soon as I turned on my wifi *BAM* blue screen of death. So I've hard wired into the wifi router and was able to finish the updates that were interrupted last night because my computer suddenly crashed. Unfortunately, completing the updates didn't solve my problem. -July 11th

I had been planning on buying a lens I need for my camera but with all the computer problems, and crashing, and failing I've been having...it looks like I don't have much choice than to work really hard and spend a lot of money on a new computer. I still won't have it in time for school but...can't really be avoided I'm afraid. -July 14th

And that's the end of my story. The story of the end of the life of my computer.
It's still running or...somewhat...
I'm still never really sure if and when my computer is just going to die. I've been expecting something like this for about a year and a half now...it's coming slower than I thought but it's happening...

I won't have the money for a new computer by the time I need it, the computer that is, but hopefully I'll pick up even more along the way.