Merry Christmas!

I admit that this season has flown by - and I also admit to being a bit relieved that it has. I love the holidays. The lights, the busy atmosphere, good food, meeting up with good friends - I love it all. As this fall has been a bit strained (actually most of 2010 has been, but more on that for a New Year's greeting . . .) I am quite happy barreling into winter and getting to the shiny Christmasy bits. It's been a bright spot.

So as you gather with loved ones, take the time to really enjoy the stillness in the moment. If not it can just fly by unnoticed.

Merry Christmas everyone!

Ode to a Computer

So it's happened at last. My poor little computer has gone off the the great server in the sky. I tried to turn it on the other day and nada. It's clearly decided it's time for other activities that don't involve me. Evidently my googling activities aren't very exciting.

I hummed Taps as I closed it's screen for the last time. Then I promptly freaked out as I wondered when was the last time I'd backed everything up. I can't remember and I've spent the last few days sorting through my memory. I'm pretty sure it's been at least 8 months, if not longer.

Really - I should have seen the death of the computer coming. First of all, 2010 has been one of those years. Second, the computer was five years old. Third, it already tried this trick when I was finishing my thesis.

Back in 2009, six weeks before my thesis was due, the computer up and quit. I had a less than graceful moment of screaming. Then - still screaming - I gathered the laptop up in my arm and ran out of the apartment. I ran (not exaggerating) down M st. in DC, where there used to be a computer store. It had closed.

I called for back-up. The person I called (who will remain nameless) suggested I google a computer store. It's funny now, not so much at the time.

Anyway - I did find a computer store and they did resurrect the computer with the thesis happily waiting for me.

Not this round though. It's pretty dead this time. I'm picking out a new one as a computer is pretty necessary for me. Sadly, a few pictures were eaten in this process . . .

A big thanks to the awesome roomie Kirsten for loaning me her computer during the day.

Oh, and while I have your attention - back up your computer files . . .