Between blogging, Twittering, freelancing, researching and writing for HandsIn, and stalking people on Facebook, it’s pretty safe to say that I spend the majority of my life online.
So when my little white MacBook started acting up I was all, “Shhh, Betsy, WE DON’T HAVE TIME FOR YOUR SHENANIGANS.” And she was like, “Bitch please, we’re going to the Genius Bar.”
And so we did.
I set up an appointment, went in on time, waited patiently, made out with the new iMacs, and when they called my name, I sat down all sweetly and explained my problems. The nice Apple man ran a few tests, failed miserably at making small talk, and then announced “It’s your logic board. We’ll call you in 3-5 days to come pick it up.”
Um, crazy Apple person say whaaat?
I laughed. He looked at me quizzically. I stopped laughing. “I’m sorry, but 3-5 days? Seriously?”
“Yes.”
“Oh.”
At that point, I tried my best to slap on a mature, of-course-that’s-how-long-logic-board-stuff-takes face and shrugged to silently indicate that “duh, I knew that,” while inside I had a tsunami sized panic attack about what, you know, the FUCK I was going to do without a computer for 3-5 days.
That was Saturday night. By Sunday I had all but fried my little iPhone’s brain trying to frantically accomplish computer-ish tasks on it’s itty bit screen and keyboard. I even tried to blog (fail, not enough patience) and settled instead for rereading my life list. In rereading, I realized how many of the things I want to do aren’t at all computer related. Milk a cow? Visit Machu Picchu? Walk on a glacier?
Clearly, I’m going to have to start breaking myself of computer dependence at some point, I thought. Followed by the out loud declaration that hey, “maybe I’ll start now!” So by the end of Sunday night, I had planned out the least technological Monday ever. It even included a stop at the new Chinese foot massage place on Thousand Oaks Boulevard, where 60 minute, full body chair massages are only $25 and are also, according to Yelp, absolutely fantastic.
I was all set to relax when that nice man from the Apple store called again, at noon on Monday, and said my computer was ready and I could come get it whenever I wanted. At which point all that nonsense about life without a computer and Chinese people rubbing my body completely fell out of my head.
It’s now been a week since I’ve been reunited with Betsy and I’m still yet to get that massage. I do, however, know the most recent items posted on my favorite wedding blogs and am probably one week closer to full blown carpal tunnel syndrome.
So you know, it’s a trade-off.
Posted in: day to day shenanigans
{ 36 comments… read them below or add one }
Too funny. And yet, I feel sad because I'm just as dependent on my computer. I mean, why actually GET UP and look out the window to see what the weather is like… just click one button on my bookmarks tab and voila, I know if it's cloudy/sunny/snowy/rainy AND the temperature.
Like I said… sad.
I've been experiencing the same thing lately. I literally can't focus on my work unless I have google reader, facebook and twitter up in the background!! And, I just bought a blackberry so now I'm even more dependent because I can do all my stuff on that. I need to take a technological break, and soon!
My Macbook is named Lancelot, or Lance for short. We have never been apart these past 14 months and I am SURE there will be some nasty separation anxiety if that were to ever happen, knock on wood.
Glad you and Betsy are reunited! (and it feeeels so gooood…)
Of course your laptop has a name. Aww, hi Betsy. And how late is that massage place open, on say Thursday nights around 6/4? Because that?! Sounds like one hell of a way to kickstart a vacay…
My first clue that I was overly depending on technology was when I brought my laptop to Africa. Actually, I brought it to a remote village in Uganda, for crying out loud!
I hear you on the technology dependence. Though I don't use it often for work, I've come to rely on it for many other aspects of my life: banking, news, weather, keeping in contact with others, shopping, finding recipes, etc.
Getting the iPhone was a huge mistake because I found myself doing ridiculous things like checking my email while sitting in traffic, reading blogs while getting my teeth cleaned at the dentist, etc. I was constantly connected because I could be, and not because I needed to be.
Now, I limit myself to an hour or two a day of non-work related computer time because I realized that I was in danger of setting myself on the path to reading and writing about life rather than actually living it. I had a hard time with it at first, but I learned to adjust.
Also, this has got to be my favorite line in all of blogdom today:
So when my little white MacBook started acting up I was all, “Shhh, Betsy, WE DON’T HAVE TIME FOR YOUR SHENANIGANS.” And she was like, “Bitch please, we’re going to the Genius Bar.”
yeah i would be pretty lost without my computer too. maybe i would read some more? but i would still feel so disconnected. oy.
I just love how Apple calls it the "genius bar". some genius bar. There was no alcohol. I'm going to start calling my apartment "the Awesome pub".
i am just as dependent. and sadly, if my computer were to self-destruct, i have a back up. kind of pathetic actually.
Haha, I loved this. I would have been just as freaked out. I feel panicked when I can't be on my computer, it's sad lol.
This is why I have a back-up computer.
My logic board busted too, and I went in without an appointment for a 'drop-off,' fully expecting to be deprived for days and days. When I am deprived, Eric is deprived because I hold his laptop hostage. Luckily for him, they were done in just a few hours. Gotta love that Apple Care Plan!
It is really shocking how much it screws with your world not to have a computer. Mine was all wonky last week and I couldn't really access the internet – or rather, I could get on, but it would take me 20 minutes. My home life just wasn't the same.
I would die.
Did you go skydiving?? I was waiting for the updates
Ugh, NO. It was too cloudy
We're working on a good time to reschedule though!
You crack me up. My favorite line: “Shhh, Betsy, WE DON’T HAVE TIME FOR YOUR SHENANIGANS.” And she was like, “Bitch please, we’re going to the Genius Bar.”" I pictured the interaction…yes, I gave your laptop a voice. Your voice was the mom from Malcolm in the Middle, and the laptop's voice was Wanda Sykes.
Bwwwaaaaahahahahaha!!!! Completely hilarious. Probably because this post hits home more than it should.
Here I am, world traveler, Professional Hobo, and more than a day away from my computer (whilst walking on glaciers and having Thai massages) sends me into convulsions of stress-related "I haven't checked my emails in over 24 hours and I have a million articles to write" fits.
Let me know how the whole breaking the computer-dependency thing goes. Maybe I can learn a thing or two!
I think I'd probably do fine without a computer if I were on an awesome vacation or something and was voluntarily leaving the computer behind. Someone else telling me I can't use it, particularly in the absence of well-thought-out plans made in advance? I would fall apart. It's all a matter of mindset.
I love when we get people's stuff back to them sooner than expected! Also, when they don't yell at us…
I actually managed to do most of what I needed to on my iPhone for approximately 4 days while I was waiting for my new computer to land on my doorstep (well, be gently placed on my doorstep, I'd be pretty angry if it had reason to "land" there). I was surprised at myself, but I don't really want to do it again.
Milk a cow? Good luck, I hear they kick sometimes.
I can't live without my computer either. I borrow other people's if mine is in the shop. This post made my day, thanks
I knew I had a computer dependency when my four year old son said "mummy, why do grown ups spend so much time on the computer?". I love the life list, if I write stuff down it's far more likely to get done than otherwise. I may have to copy you…
You've been talking about Chinese massages forEVER! I think we should just go. We can bring our laptops.
Um, anytime you want to come up here again, we'll go. Seriously, anytime.
I live on my laptop because of my research, teaching, etc. Oh…and Facebook.
hmmm, i'm glad you checked out that place on TO. do they require appointment? $25? it's $15 in the valley but then again you don't have to drive…hmmm.
I think they take walk-ins, yeah! And I know it's a little cheaper in the valley, but… eh, that requires going to the valley, haha.
Hahaha amazing. I feel the same way about my little MacBook, and everytime I try and break away I feel all weird. The closest Apple Store to me is about an hour and a half away, so when I go they usually fix it up right there. It's beautiful. So are the Apple Genius Bar attendants.
DUDE. Last summer, my lovely little MacBook was in the shop for three weeks! THREE WEEKS! And when I finally got her back($250 later…), everything went into slow motion/power ballad mode. And we've been together ever since.
Haha, THREE WEEKS?! That's TOTALLY worthy of a power ballad!!
Hahaha, does the massage place have wireless?
Wait, $25 for a CHAIR massage? Is that cheap?
For 60 minutes?? I think so! Especially if it's as awesome as they say!
Oh, but a human does the massaging, right? Duh, I'm so dumb. Sorry. Haha.
Why are you crushing my dreams?!?
Um, stop it. Just… stop it. If my computer was Wanda Sykes it would literally be the best day of my LIFE.
Ha, and I'll be invited to the opening night's party, no?
Oh God. My logic board is broken too.
*clings to her laptop desperately*
I'm way too scared to let it go.
PS. Was it expensive??