Monday, June 16, 2008

Isolation Madness

There are times when I love my computer. Now is not one of them.

A week ago Sunday I woke up to find my computer not functioning properly. Even though it wasn't the blue screen of death, it wasn't much better. It wouldn't move past the opening screen, which froze no matter what I did to it. PC's hubby came out to pronounce last rites over my mother board later that night. I've been in mourning ever since.

I was able to borrow a laptop for a few days, which allowed me to check my email and finish up the few clients I still had open files on. Even then, the tedious process through which I had to check my email and the blog was frustrating, and left me feeling out of the loop. Replying to emails was even worse.

As an aside: I don't see how you laptop people type with that touchpad right where your palms are supposed to rest. I was constantly brushing against it, changing the screen, closing stuff, and twice losing emails I was typing. Don't care for that at all.

Luckily, I spent the weekend with the Playfriends and had a RWA chapter meeting this past weekend, or I just might have slipped into isolation madness. Even though I'm an introvert, I'm still moderately subject to it. You know what I mean. The paranoia that slips in when everyone else is talking and you aren't in on the conversation. Are they having fun without me? What did I miss? Are they bonding? Will I be left out... or behind? and the dreaded Have I done something to offend someone? Is that why they aren't answering?

Yes, isolation madness is not a pretty sight. I managed to hold it off with quite a few phone calls (I know people had to be groaning when my number showed up on caller ID), a late night Starbucks run with PC, and our weekend activities. Unfortunately, this just gave me a brief glimpse of how lonely I'll be while the rest of the Playground is at Nationals this July and too busy to be constantly on the computer with me. Sigh... Note to self: schedule some activities for that week.

Back to the computer issues: We ordered a new tower, which should be arriving tomorrow. Fingers crossed. Even the hubby is getting antsy by now, despite the fact that he owns an iPhone. Please pray the computer gods will look kindly on our affliction and speed up the shipping process. ;)

What's your latest computer snafu? What obsessive thoughts run through your brain when isolation madness sets in?

Angel

PS Instigator and Problem Child are making a guest appearance on http://www.dustedbywhimsy.blogspot.com/ today, or rather, their feet are. Check out their special First Sale shoes when you drop in. Thanks to Michele Hauf for inviting them to come play!

13 comments:

Problem Child said...

Yes, I'm still up at midnight--don't ask, because you don't want to know.

But I get to be the first comment on the blog today! There's an upside to everything, right?

DG hates to pronounce computers dead on arrival. Some folks like to shoot the messenger, but you fed him and let him play Rock Band even after he delivered the horrid news.

The isolation madness stems from our severe co-dependency. And, yes, we are talking about you...

Barbara Vey said...

I'm lost without my computer and now that I've had a laptop for the past year, I couldn't live without it.

M.V.Freeman said...

I feel your pain Angel. I have my moments too without the computer. When I travel with out it...I get somewhat discombobulated.

Like you Angel, I am an introvert, but I have far more extroverted tendencies than I thought...

Oooh, speaking of, I have some writing to do...LOL :)

Andrea Laurence AKA Smarty Pants said...

I am an introvert, but introverts typically have extroverted tendencies, but only with an exclusive group of people they feel comfortable with. YOU ARE MY PEOPLE. It doesn't matter if I've slept for 6 hours, if I hear you all awake and chatting, I wrestle with sleeping and listening in. I don't want to miss anything. It's terrible.

And yes, I know you're talking about me.

Lynn Raye Harris said...

I had to LOL about the part, "Did I do something to offend someone?" I used to get all twisted up about that, but the older I get, the mellower I am. I figure if I offended someone, I didn't mean to (because I'm not the sort of person who ever tries) and I hope they will tell me they were hurt so I can apologize. Because hurting someone's feelings is the last thing I would ever want to do.

Yes, I was having my own isolation anxiety this week. The meeting on Saturday was a blessing. I'd so been looking forward to it because I've been chained to my desk for the past week trying to finish this book. And now I'm chained again, sigh. It's always cool to see everyone. :)

Hugs about the computer. I remember my blue screen of death and subsequent run to the computer guys. The whole time I'm telling hubby, "I don't care how much it costs, I NEED my files back."

He rolled his eyes and made me switch to Mac about 6 months later. And I am happier than the proverbial pig in the mud. :)

Playground Monitor said...

My latest computer snafu?

Um... I think they call it "Vista." Don't get me started.

The weekend was great despite the DH delivering news that our house got zapped by lightning early Saturday morning. The HVAC guy has already been here to replace the fried thermostat so we're cooling down again. I've left a message for the security company about my control pad not displaying properly (for all you burglars reading this, the system still sets and the alarm will blare like crazy, so don't get any ideas). And my dryer will be repaired tomorrow (heating element burned out in a coincidental incident completely unrelated to the lightning). I'm just grateful it wasn't worse. I could have returned home to a charred mess. Or a fried computer and then I'd have been sunk.

As it was, I had great fun with friends, made a new one (with whom we kicked serious butt at Trivial Pursuit) and got to visit BabyGrand yesterday and have lunch at the Whistle Stop Cafe (mentioned in the movie Fried Green Tomatoes).

PM

Kira Sinclair - AKA Instigator said...

I'm so co-dependant it isn't even funny. The idea of going even one day without being able to check my email, the blog and connect with my people gives me hives.

I've had 2 hard drives fry at home and 1 fry at work (that one while I was out on maternity leave). I don't know how many times I've lost information. This is why I now carry my books around on a flash drive.

Instigator

Katherine Bone said...

Flash drives, good. Fried computers... bad.

(Sorry, I feel like Frankenstein's monster today.)

So glad you finally got your computer situation fixed, Angel. I missed you!!

Sherry Werth said...

I was in the middle of an online writing class (expensive one) when my computer died. It was not a pretty sight at my house. You know the expression--when mama ain't happy...... A borrowed laptop was in my lap the next day.

I too am among the list of introverts with extrovert tendencies. I'm usually not very comfortable in a room full of people that I don't know. But I am getting better about it. I will say it took me awhile after joining (that was a big step for me) the chapter to not feel totally intimidated. Now I look forward to hanging out with everyone. :)

Anonymous said...

My home computer had a nervous breakdown last year....I guess I was Ebaying too much... I couldn't get it running, and just wanted to hit my head against the wall. The good part is that I have my computer at work, yeah!!!!!!!!!!! Here's hoping that you have a speedy delivery with your new motherboard.
robertsonreads

Anonymous said...

Don't get me started onthe computer woes....and as for isolation madness, I've been working non-stop and missed out on coming to HOD to see my editor and everyone had a fabu time without me...madness...bwahahahah.

Anonymous said...

As a person who uses a laptop (and is shopping for a new one) I was smart about 2-3 days after I bought mine. I went out and immediately bought a mouse and keyboard.

I was thankful as I also play online games (like world of warcraft, sims 2, etc.)

So if you use a laptop that's what I'd recommend

Angel said...

Thank goodness the laptop went home! But I'll definitely keep that advice for future reference, Lou.

I spent the day getting some things set up on the new computer. Except for not having any of my contact info in the email program, I'm almost good to go.

Angel