Please join in mourning...

...my big blue computer, the gas powered one. It seems that I have to make an executive decision about whether it is worth the cost of repairs on an 'old' machine or simply buy a new one. The cost would be nearly the same, and at the end, I would have either an operational 'old' computer or a new one, smaller and more efficient, with a great deal more megabytes or something. You will never guess with whom I have consulted on this----Justin! He is by far more knowledgeable and is the go-to guy when his friends need a new computer. Even The Computer Guy agrees that a new piece of equipment might be the way to go, although he has good things to say about my injured machine. Getting by on the laptop alone is not an option since it does not have word processing capabilities. When I do, if that is my decision, replace the Alienware computer, Steve will reload all my information from the old computer to the new one. Kind of get the new one dirty right away, putting all my nonsense back into place. Fortunately he thinks he can salvage my registration for the Office software which is a huge relief!

Steve's son came by late morning to collect the machine, as it's far too heavy for me to carry. To even begin to unplug it all is nearly beyond me, but my guess is the replugging process will be more involved. Hopefully Justin will be able to do that for me. We had a long conversation this afternoon when I let him know what was going on and he thinks I should forego desk top and go to laptop, to be used as my desk top. I know, right? In order to accommodate all the cords and peripherals he said I will need a splitter. That sounds easy enough but certainly having all sorts of things plugged in will make it less and less portable, which is fine. Steve could have loaded the information from the old computer onto the existing laptop, but when he found out what I had, well, he described it as being like a plastic garbage bag----disposable. But, this laptop suits my requirements, is lightweight and easily portable. However, I also know he is correct, it would not be wise to depend upon this little laptop for my primary purposes.

Justin said he would research it for me this evening, after he is done at the gym. Jesse and he were going to watch TV tonight, must be their favorite programs or something, and do his research then. I found a couple on-line that would suit but I yield to the master. He does know I care more about my wallet than I do about gigabytes or whatever but I also need to be able to do my thing. Guess the sign-up sheets for the Mexican dinner next month will simply have to wait! Yes, when Lynn and Linda J. are here, we will once again be having a special dinner at church, prepared by our chefs, Mike 'n Mike, which means Lynn, Linda, and I might want to rethink our themed dinner at home, which was also going to be Mexican-style foods. We can still have the margaritas though, right?

Sad to say, until I get a replacement computer for word processing, I will not be able to adjust the text size or font on this blog posting, and I am sorry about that.

Oh, what a wonderful movie I saw today!!!! Called "Midnight in Paris", it's a story of a screenwriter on vacation in Paris with his future wife and in-laws. He longs for the romantic life of the 1920's Parisians while his travel companions are busy looking down their snooty American noses (greatly exaggerated, in their defense) at the French. He is successful in his work, lives well, and all that, but also wishes for the struggling writer life which made up Hemingway, Fitzgerald, Stein, and other writers and artists of that era. Somehow he finds himself meeting them all, having drinks with them, dancing, and living the dream, as it were. It was charming, and yet, reflective. I would see it again, just ask me! I went with Maggie O., her friend, Pat, and with Ellen. We did not carpool, we Palace dwellers, as Ellen had to go somewhere afterwards. Next we want to see "Larry Crowne" and after that, when I get home from my summer travels, "The Help". My friend at the pool, Rick, suggested that book, The Help, to me also so I had better get a move on! Yesterday I ordered some more books, including one about the Secret Service ('boring books' according to Jessica, my neighbor!) which Linda J. also wishes to read. Guess having a sick computer is not the worst thing to happen, with so many books waiting for me, and more coming!!!!