OK, I see I've been remiss in my blogging. Reasons? Steamy affair? I wish! I still haven't told ya about the man I will nickname "The Invisible Man (which pretty much says it all)." More later. The reasons I haven't blogged include--1. Rally 2. Parents' visit. Pretty exciting. But there will be more "Camp Tales" later, so hold on to your hats, folks.
I type this new, facinating news-filled blog today on my 2000 model Dell "Dimension" series with Windows 98 on a big disco monitor. I'm so hip. Why am I on this slow relic that should be sitting in the Smithsonian?
The Christmas present Cactus Man gave me in 2008, his used laptop, is on the fritz.
What's wrong with it?
Well, firstly, it was a gift from Cactus Man, which should sort of say it all. Remember, it came to me basically wiped out with no software, and Basement Man had to reinstall everything. Secondly, at first the power cord shorted out, two weeks ago, which caused me to run, panicked to Microsolutions to discuss new cords. After picking myself up from the floor, receiving a mild concussion once they told me a new power cord was almost $80, they sold me a used one for $30.
"But this will only fix one of your problems with your laptop," said the sales manager quite gravely. "I'm afraid you have a compound problem."
"What else is wrong?" I grimly ask.
"Your backdoor gram-o-meter, power outlit version #56492100a.s.s.h.o.l.e is shot."
"Shot?" I repeat, dollar signs tentatively dancing above my head. I notice a sign taped on the wall that says, "$90 an hour minimum repairs fee."
"Of course we could sauter the sauerkrauter part #45588726255aaaafart back onto your mother board."
"Great. How much?" I ask. He points to the taped sign behind him.
"It's only a 10 min. job but we gotta charge you $100 for the labor and $50 for the dot of sauter." What is sauter, made outta gold or something?
"$150 bucks just to sauter one little doodad?" I reiterate tersely, spittle flying from my mouth.
"Of course, you could just buy a new 'used' laptop from us," he noted.
"How much?" I ask, my blood pressure hitting new and alarming levels.
"Ooooooooh," he says. "Anywhere from $200-400," he says.
"I'll think about it. I've gotta go rob a bank first." I pay for my power cord and run out the door.
So what am I gonna do? You know damned well a new "used" laptop isn't going to cost just $200 with all the hidden fees and add ons. What about all the file transfers, the software, getting it set up for the internet?
Why, I'll use my antique computer in the bedroom, that's what I'll do (even though it won't open up any kind of attachments anymore and can't open most internet sites). Until I get paid next. I was going to rant and rave and compare old cars to computers, but I'll save it for the next post. Oh, and my bleak dating situation with The Invisible Man is a real knee-slapper. Hang tight.
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