It’s in the mail… and THANK YOU!

June 29, 2006 | 1 Comment

My laptop computer, that is. It should be back in a week. Shipped out to the manufacturer this evening and on its way to getting a new processor installed. Yesssss… a processor. That is what was causing the shut-down problems. Which were most likely caused by the burnt out fan. And how did I learn that?

Because the MOST EXCELLENT computer technician in the state ran that little sucker through its paces and didn’t give up until he correctly diagnosed the problem. To top it off, he gave me advice on what to do about the situation, told me exactly what to say to the customer service reps (who definitely wanted to make me jump through even more hoops before accepting the machine for repair…grrrr…) and… and!… he didn’t even charge me for the diagnostic work!

I know!

Listen up, my local friends… if you need help with your computer or are in the market to buy one, here is the place to go:

The expert I worked with is Jeremy, and he is absolutely wonderful. He kept me informed during each step of the process and is a top-notch professional in every way. The man knows his business.

(As an added bonus, the shop is clean and neat as a pin! You won’t have to worry about your machine coming back to you all covered with grunky fingerprints and stuff. Trust me, it happens at other places.)

RCS also has a shop in Maquoketa, Iowa and I am sure it’s probably just as terrific as the one here in town. If you’re from around this area (and I know I have several readers who are) write down the information and keep it at hand. Pass it on to your friends and family too.

When there are businesses that are so conscientious about customer service and the quality of their work, we as consumers need to support them – because they are rare these days. I’ve already decided that RCS is where I am buying my next system.

My personal thanks go out to Jeremy (and Tyler) who helped me so much with this laptop problem. You’re pretty awesome in my book!

Posted by Christine | Filed Under Uncategorized

“marsha da ho” rides again…

June 27, 2006 | 5 Comments

It’s been interesting around here for the past few days. Remember when I said that I was expecting (without a doubt) that Marsha’s Thuglet Brats would return periodically over the summer? Well, of course they have. They’ve been staying next door since last Friday.

But not because they are bored and miss their tumultuous life with Bumbling Bill and BlackCherry.

It’s because Marsha has a court date this week for her violent, drunken behavior and the kids were sent to stay with their grandparents until things get straightened out. Or maybe they will be there forever if Marsha goes to the Big House, who knows.

Which would be especially difficult on everyone involved.

Especially Marsha.

Why?

Because she’s knocked up again.

The fifth kid out of wedlock, and no daddy to support it.

There’s your liberal, government-funded welfare dollars at work, people. It takes a lot of your money to raise Marsha’s personal village of children. It will take even more to house them when they are in jail or addiction treatment centers in the near future.

Posted by Christine | Filed Under Uncategorized

Monday Music Mambo, #105

June 26, 2006 | 1 Comment

This just in from the home office in Mamboville…

Let’s mambo! Today is Stay-At-Home Moms Day! So get out the Kool-Aid, make some PBJ sandwiches (no crusts allowed!) and answer the following:

1. Name some musicians whose mothers you’d just love to meet.

I’d like to meet the mamas of the following performers and ask them if they knew early on that their child had an unusual talent.

Alice Cooper (snake-stroking weirdo)… Barbra Streisand (anal-retentive mega-liberal with a voice like “buttah”)… Bob Dylan (absolute genius)… Steve Miller ( peach tree shakin’ Pompatus of Love!)… and Madonna (skank-a-lotta deluxe role model for all the little girls of the 80’s.)

Alice Cooper – School’s Out

Barbra Streisand – Stoney End

Bob Dylan ~ I’ll Keep It With Mine

Steve Miller Band – The Joker

Madonna - True Blue

2. If you’re a stay-at-home mom, what music keeps you sane? If you’re not a stay-at-home mom, which album would you give such a mom to help her relax during the day?

I think songs about the beauty, strength, and mystery of women are best for dealing with the feelings of being overwhelmed. We women are marvelous creatures — meant to be adored — and we should never forget that. Sometimes a song helps to remind us.

Brooks & Dunn – My Maria

Bruce Springsteen – Secret Garden

Jeff Buckley – Everybody Here Wants You

Eric Clapton – Layla

Bread ~ Everything I Own

Roy Orbison – Pretty Woman

Dixie Chicks – Wide Open Spaces

Well, that’s all I can think of for SAHM-related topics! So let’s also do a little playlist.

Five songs that help you beat the heat.

Bonnie Raitt - Let’s Give Them Something to Talk About

Lindsey Buckingham – Trouble

Floaters - Float On

John Mellencamp – Cherry Bomb

Mark May ~ Don’t Give Up

***

That’s this week’s Mambo, kids! I’d like to say THANK YOU and wish many blessings to all of the Stay-At-Home-Moms out there who are working so hard at getting it right. Choosing to be your child’s primary caregiver is one of the most valuable treasures you can give him — and the rest of the world. Love that babe while you have him; teach him the path he should follow. If you do, when he is older he won’t stray from it.

Happy Monday everyone! (Especially you…) :kiss:

Posted by Christine | Filed Under Monday Music Mambo

Friday’s Feast

June 23, 2006 | 10 Comments

Appetizer:
On a scale of 1-10 with 10 being highest, how much do you like your job?

Definitely a 10. At first it was a little scary to be working on my own (and occasionally short on cash) but in the last couple of months things have been much better. I really enjoy working in my studio and setting my own hours, too. I know how fortunate I am to be able to do this; many artists never get the chance.

Soup:
When was the last time you think you were lied to?

Wednesday, I think. But I forgive the person. I know that most good people only lie when they are embarrassed or fearful to tell the truth. The best I can do is accept them as they are at that moment and hope that they’ll learn that there’s nothing to be afraid of by being open and honest with me.

Salad:
Share some lyrics from one of your favorite songs.

This is hard to choose; I have so many favorites! But lately this one has been on my mind a lot.

The Cure — Just Like Heaven

“Show me how you do that trick
The one that makes me scream” she said
“The one that makes me laugh” she said
And threw her arms around my neck
“Show me how you do it
And I promise you, I promise that
I’ll run away with you
I’ll run away with you”

Spinning on that dizzy edge
I kissed her face and kissed her head
And dreamed of all the different ways I had
To make her glow
“Why are you so far away?” she said
“Why won’t you ever know that I’m in love with you
That I’m in love with you…”

You
Soft and only
You
Lost and lonely
You
Strange as angels
Dancing in the deepest oceans
Twisting in the water
You’re just like a dream

Daylight licked me into shape
I must have been asleep for days
And moving lips to breathe her name
I opened up my eyes
And found myself alone alone
Alone above a raging sea
That stole the only girl I loved
And drowned her deep inside of me

You
Soft and only
You
Lost and lonely
You
Just like heaven

Main Course:
What do you do/take when you are in pain?

It depends on what type of pain. I try meditating first, but sometimes that doesn’t work. Here’s my list of pain relievers:

Body or headaches: usually 2 ibuprofen tablets
Girlie-Girl Aches: Pamprin
The-World-is-a-Pain-in-the-Ass Aches: Chocolate

Dessert:
Fill in the blanks: My __________ is very __________.

Hmmm. How about this:

“My kitty is very chubby.”

(Well… she is! Hehe.)

Happy Friday everyone…

Posted by Christine | Filed Under Uncategorized

Ommm… ommm…

June 22, 2006 | 3 Comments

Alright, I’ve calmed down considerably now. :yes:

When I woke up Wednesday morning I called a Local Computer Guru (who has an excellent business reputation) and he told me to bring the notebook over for a look. After he got it apart and tested the fan, he declared it burnt to a crisp and asked what I wanted to do.

Options:

1. Call the manufacturer with whom I have the warranty and service agreement… buy the adapter to back up the laptop’s hard drive… waiting for the adapter to be shipped… do all of that crap, then pack the whole she-bang into a box and send it out the door… and wait, wait, wait for it to someday (hopefully) return in one piece and functioning.

OR…

2. Let the Local Guru order the new fan, have it sent overnight express, let him install it (at a courtesy rate of 50% off labor) and most likely have it back by Friday.

Yeah, no hard choice there!

I told Local Guru to work his magic. And I really don’t care if having an outsider work on the notebook blows the warranty either. Screw ‘em, I say. I’ve suddenly wised-up about extended service plans with companies from out of town.

It still amazes me how attached I’ve become to having a notebook computer, though. I’ve got every damn thing under the sun on that machine. My artwork, the manuscript I’m working on, my personal calendar, friends and business contacts, photos all the way from my childhood to the present, about $5,000 worth of music, and another $3,000 worth of programs to boot. Plus, there are my chat and my blogging programs that keep me in touch with everyone.

Not to mention the social security numbers and personal data of everyone who deals on Wall Street, but I guess that wouldn’t be a big whoop if that fell into the wrong hands… Bwahaha!

***

I really appreciate how you all still accept me even when I go into a full fledged rant about stuff like I did in the last entry. (Because, oh my God, did I need to do that.)

For many years I used to just hold all of that inside, you know? And I would usually end up eating way too much food in order to soothe myself. I’m never going back to that behavior again, though, so it’s comforting for me to realize that there are friends who will still like me after I have a major hissy fit. Of course, you may blink and back away momentarily but then you return with a smile that says you understand.

That means the world to me. Thank you. :kiss:

Shout-outs to:

Betty – Jer says the hungry mole probably finished eating all the bark off of Doug’s leftover Christmas tree in his backyard and it now looking for some real food at your place. Hehe. And yes, I agree a couple of Betty Jane’s are always in order. (Good day or bad!) *HUG*

Amy – I’m happy you enjoyed (endured) my rant. I wish you only happiness and properly working fans with your own computer. Also, I received your email and you are so sweet. Now let me freak everyone out by saying this in public – 8 inches… and pink would be divine!

(I’m laughing my ass off because I know that minds are reeling right now.)

Big Simon – You always make me smile. There’s no way I’d ever hurt you. Even if you told me you set my notebook computer on fire and then stomped on it to put out the flames. Even then I’d probably just hug you so hard it would adjust your spine in 4 places. Hehe.

Leslie – Isn’t that fried motherboard stuff a nightmare? There’s a serviceman coming later today to fix the one in our snooty front load washer. *Kicks our high tech crap in the ass* But still, I don’t want to go back to box fans, wood burning stoves, ringer-washers and snail mail. Woe is us, girlfriend, for we are addicted to modern comfort.
Jake – Oh, Jake… Sister, my sister! When I win the lottery, I’m buying us both a complete state-of-the-art computer system with all of the accessories and a personal technician to maintain them. I heard this fella does good work… want me to put him on your list?