Because I work in the information technology field, several people ask me to help with their computer issues assuming that I know (or should know) all things technical. I don't and worse than not knowing, I am a terrible teacher with absolutely no patience. Today I had a taste of what it is like to be on the receiving end of technical support.
This morning's wake up call was a dead work computer. It would not accept power from the battery or the outlet. Keep in mind I work remotely and am pretty much useless if I do not have an operable computer. Lucky for me most of my applications are in the cloud so I can access my work information from any computer. I set up on my personal MacBook and sent out my first email to the company that I have somehow fried the laptop and need another. My boss ever so generously drops by with a laptop he recently acquired from a dismissed employee but had not yet returned to Rochester, as a temporary fix. So my desk now has three computers on it and non are ideal: my work laptop is dead, my personal laptop cannot handle the load needed for my business applications and the extra laptop that was just dropped off is riddled with junk and not set up correctly for me to use.
I really need mine fixed and hate the idea of sending it away. But I have to bite the bullet and deal with it. Went online, checked the warranty (yeah still active) and called tech support. Thought at the very least they could send me a box to express ship it and put a high priority on repair. I was on hold for 29 minutes before someone answered and stated she needed to transfer me to support. I thought that was who I called. Another 20 minutes and I meet Bernard, who soon becomes the love of my life :-).
Let me digress. As I was on hold I couldn't help but think about the weekend where I promised to help my dad set up his GPS and my mom download her first ebook on the Nook. I was not very kind. Basically I yelled at their questions, snubbed their suggestions and failed to disguise my annoyance with their lack of understanding. Well let me say I AM SORRY loud and clear. Because I now am on that side of the fence.
Bernard answers with his strong southern accent (I was calling the center in Atlanta) and could not be more pleasant. He tells me to remove the battery, ensure the power cable is not plugged in and then proceed to depress the on button, hold for 4 seconds and repeat. He asked me to do this 10 times and on the 11th time to hold the button depressed for 30 seconds. Seriously? I relay think he is pulling my leg because this sounds so ridiculous. I question him every step of the way and even give him a little attitude (what is wrong with me?). When I shut up long enough to do as he instructs, I find he is right.
It worked! Can you believe it? I always mock the people who tell me to turn the computer on and off to fix it but this actually worked. Apparently, the machine accumulated static which caused a reverse in voltage or charge. How bizarre!
Now I'm feeling pretty guilty. Bernard was wonderful... he was patient, non-condescending and dare I say pleasant. I had the nicest guy in tech support while my parent's had to deal with bitching Bonnie. Sorry sorry sorry!
Promise to be more like Bernard in the future so let the tech support begin!
Tuesday, January 4, 2011
Monday, January 3, 2011
Happy Birthday Gavin
I adore ALL of my nieces and nephews. Having them is benefiting from the fun and craziness of kids without the big worry items. Each is different and amazing in their own way. Today my nephew Gavin is celebrating his 8th birthday - hmm I think it is 8, anyway that is not the important part.
Every time I see this kid, I want him to move in with me and be Max's little brother. Maybe its because he is so much like Max or maybe its because I see I lot of my brother in him. But the kid is fabulous. First of all he is adorable! Blond hair, puppy dog eyes and the most knowing smirk you have ever encountered.
When he was a toddler, Gavin wanted nothing to do me with. Probably because I smothered him every chance I got!
This illustrates our initial relationship. I was driving and he was in the back car seat, probably he was 3 years old. I told him I wanted to kiss his entire face. He responded that he would turn into a zombie and eat my brains. But why? He stated because he does not like me. I countered with "Why my brains? If you don't like me my brains would taste bad." He thought about it and after much debate agreed that as a zombie he would eat dog food instead but would scare me whenever I tried to kiss him because he does not like me. I told him I ADORE him and would love him even if he was a zombie. He proceeded to turn into other hideous creatures to try to get me to not love him anymore. Well there just wasn't anything he could bring up to refute my affections. Finally we settled that if I bought him a milkshake he would probably stay a little boy and not attack me, but he still wouldn't give me a kiss.
Since then, our relationship has gotten even better. He is the kind of kid who names his minature hamster Philaroni. He warned me that he has to wear oven mitts when he picks up Philaroni because the hamster bites whenever he squeezes him. Hmmm.
My favorite part of Gavin is that he will just randomly come up to you and cuddle....for no reason at all.
I still kiss his whole face, but now whenever I see him, he runs up to me and gives me a hug. In return I sneak him candy.
Gavin will certainly not be reading my blog but I wanted to wish him a Happy Birthday anyway. Love you!
Every time I see this kid, I want him to move in with me and be Max's little brother. Maybe its because he is so much like Max or maybe its because I see I lot of my brother in him. But the kid is fabulous. First of all he is adorable! Blond hair, puppy dog eyes and the most knowing smirk you have ever encountered.
When he was a toddler, Gavin wanted nothing to do me with. Probably because I smothered him every chance I got!
This illustrates our initial relationship. I was driving and he was in the back car seat, probably he was 3 years old. I told him I wanted to kiss his entire face. He responded that he would turn into a zombie and eat my brains. But why? He stated because he does not like me. I countered with "Why my brains? If you don't like me my brains would taste bad." He thought about it and after much debate agreed that as a zombie he would eat dog food instead but would scare me whenever I tried to kiss him because he does not like me. I told him I ADORE him and would love him even if he was a zombie. He proceeded to turn into other hideous creatures to try to get me to not love him anymore. Well there just wasn't anything he could bring up to refute my affections. Finally we settled that if I bought him a milkshake he would probably stay a little boy and not attack me, but he still wouldn't give me a kiss.
Since then, our relationship has gotten even better. He is the kind of kid who names his minature hamster Philaroni. He warned me that he has to wear oven mitts when he picks up Philaroni because the hamster bites whenever he squeezes him. Hmmm.
My favorite part of Gavin is that he will just randomly come up to you and cuddle....for no reason at all.
I still kiss his whole face, but now whenever I see him, he runs up to me and gives me a hug. In return I sneak him candy.
Gavin will certainly not be reading my blog but I wanted to wish him a Happy Birthday anyway. Love you!
Sunday, January 2, 2011
Looking for the Good news
This morning I walk to the Co-op with dog in tow, to get start the year off right with The Buffalo News. Filled with hope for 2011 I purchase my pumpkin muffin, organic Lovebug coffee and the news. Before I can even shallow the first gulp, my hope starts to fade. The top three headlines on the front page address homicides, the horrific position of NYS and the bad-mouthing of Buffalo b the Junior Hockey tournament viewers. Where is my good news?
It's not that I simply want to fluff pieces. I actually do want to know what's going on in the city, region, state, county and world. The media should be presenting all things good and bad, its just that the good seams so much lighter than the bad. Can't spend the first week of a new year focusing on difficult political challenges, murders and cynics can I?
Here is my approach. I will read each article with the sole intent of looking for the good in each situation. Let's begin...
- New governor delivers inaugural address. I could read that the government is the largest part of the NYS situation and that irresponsible fiscal leadership and sketchy ethics prevail. Instead I read that the governor has a fresh look and is more than capable of offering the olive branch to political adversaries and working together to make NYS a powerhouse once again.
- Fifty five homicides were reported in Buffalo in 2010. I could read about the teenagers who were gunned down and the innocent kids killed because of anger. Instead I read that homicides are down by 8.3%. That our county hospital staff did a stellar job in saving many of the lives that would have increased that number and that there is a push by neighborhoods to work more closely with the police.
- Buffalo called a ghost town by junior hockey USA team player. But the hockey is great and many people see Buffalo as hospitable with great sportsmanship and excellent hockey facilities.
- Brazil's new president is a women
- North Korea promoting peace talks
- Russian plane explodes by most passengers survive
- Evacuation of Capitol simply a false alarm
- Obama is getting both sides of the aisle to work together ( ok I may have taken it too far)
Off to a great start. I don't think I have changed the news or ignored the real message. But I still feel hopeful for 2011!
It's not that I simply want to fluff pieces. I actually do want to know what's going on in the city, region, state, county and world. The media should be presenting all things good and bad, its just that the good seams so much lighter than the bad. Can't spend the first week of a new year focusing on difficult political challenges, murders and cynics can I?
Here is my approach. I will read each article with the sole intent of looking for the good in each situation. Let's begin...
- New governor delivers inaugural address. I could read that the government is the largest part of the NYS situation and that irresponsible fiscal leadership and sketchy ethics prevail. Instead I read that the governor has a fresh look and is more than capable of offering the olive branch to political adversaries and working together to make NYS a powerhouse once again.
- Fifty five homicides were reported in Buffalo in 2010. I could read about the teenagers who were gunned down and the innocent kids killed because of anger. Instead I read that homicides are down by 8.3%. That our county hospital staff did a stellar job in saving many of the lives that would have increased that number and that there is a push by neighborhoods to work more closely with the police.
- Buffalo called a ghost town by junior hockey USA team player. But the hockey is great and many people see Buffalo as hospitable with great sportsmanship and excellent hockey facilities.
Hey this may be working, I am already feeling better! I am going to keep going.
- Brazil's new president is a women
- North Korea promoting peace talks
- Russian plane explodes by most passengers survive
- Evacuation of Capitol simply a false alarm
- Obama is getting both sides of the aisle to work together ( ok I may have taken it too far)
Off to a great start. I don't think I have changed the news or ignored the real message. But I still feel hopeful for 2011!
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