RIP New computer, RIP

Yes, the new computer is on its way to, oh gaw, somewhere for fixing. It died. Of course, my technical knowledge is so great, I told the Best Buy Geek Squad, "It broke." Well, later I put in a "cascading failure" phrase, which let the guy know my IQ really IS above broccoli.

It started at 8:00am. The day dawned bright and cheery, judging what I could see from the closed blinds and the food-begging cat. Singing birds, barking dogs, waking coffee never hinted of the horrible quagmire of crappiness that followed. Internet Explorer would halt, no reason other than, "Internet Explorer has stopped working, press continue to report error and close application." I'd restart, get a chance to read an email, then the error would repeat. As if lonely, MSN then joined the error bandwagon. Did I check for program updates? Did I troubleshoot? Did I reboot? Yes, yes, yes both warm and cold. The only boots I didn't give it was combat or cowboy, despite being very tempted.

Those who know me way too well for my own comfort sometimes, will be thrilled to read no curse words were said. Not the first time I went to Best Buy, not the second time, and not the time I called Emachines and found out it will cost me $20 for a restore disk for the new computer I don't have here.

In the grand scheme of things, it doesn't matter my Sims 2 family genetic experiments are wiped out. Nor does it mean anything that my knit pattern PDFs from Knitting Daily are all gone. These were sacrificed for a system restore. Like getting a whole new computer, right?

No. The restore didn't work. Eventually, booting in a prior known working version of Windows, and then three different types of Safe Boot all failed miserably.

Poor computer. We'd only had it since April 14th. Too young to die.

In other news, I sort of defied my Mom. Hee hee. She's reading this tomorrow morning. Ok, but here's the deal. Lucky DID get out, stupid dog. He'd wanted to keep smelling a place I'd pulled him from earlier today. I suppose if he can't smell something to death on walkies, he MUST go back. That's what he's done every time so far. So, he runs off, I'd finally figured out why, and the place is very close to home, just beyond our next door neighboor's back yard. It's as far as I went, because I'm not chasing him all over creation. I couldn't, I'd promised Mom I wouldn't roam the streets after dark. How did I lure him in? With a secret weapon, his squeeky toy. He knew I was going to catch him, he wouldn't grab the toy, but grab at it and then run away again. Lucky may be young and fast, but I'm old and wiley.

Everyone and their dog has asked about Lucky being out of the fence. Literally, everyone AND their dog. People who walk their dogs behind our house have asked me if it's ok that he's outside the fence. Well, no, it's not ok, but what can I do without barb wire? He's getting bigger and now has started digging under to get out. Yay. So you know those little purses socialites carry toy dogs in? I've stuffed him into one of those. I'm sure he'd chew his way out if he could open his mouth.

No I didn't, but it's a great mental image, right? I just moved his stake to have him just reach but not be able to go under the fence. He can not only still get into his huge dog house, he can also rest under the shade of three different trees. Lucky has new grass to trample and destroy, lucky dog!

Lastly, knitting news! Other than thanking Chelle for the shawl kudos, there's not a lot. I was thrilled to hang out at Honkerbeans tonight with the girls. Everyone likes the purple cardigan and Flower Basket Shawl. Considering how well they knit, their approval is high praise. I love Mary's Charlotte's Web shawl, Carolyn has started what will be gorgeous socks, Chelle ripped to the toe of her socks, and Carol is amazing. She can knit without looking at her work. Absolutely amazing. For me, knitting is like going down stairs. I could probably do it without looking, but why tempt fate?

Wednesday's anti-procrastination task? Cleaning off the kitchen island. It's piled with all sorts of papers and magazines. Some of these are actually useful. At any rate, I need to get to the bottom of it for possible due bills. That, and I need to add Mary to the list of people in my room at Stitches. I know. I should have added her when I'd added the seventh fleet and that group of cabana boys. Oh well! That's what Wednesdays are for, catching up on the need-to-dos. ;)