28 September 2008

Further Adventures with a Mac Genius

So, I had taken my computer in to the Apple store about a month ago. I was told the mother board was swapped out. I was also told the problem with the iSight was fixed. About a week ago, I turned my computer on and the little green light was blinding me with its insolence. Last night, I tried to burn a CD while running on battery power. The battery was full and the computer shut itself down after about five minutes of running. I immediately called Apple to sort out the problem. The first woman I talked to wanted to direct me to a certified Mac specialist in the area. (The closest store is an hour away.) She was really nice but I carefully explained to her my frustration with having purchased a new item two years ago and having to regularly get things fixed. (I've had the iSight looked at about four times, the keyboard/trackpad have been replaced twice, the hard-drive was switched out and mor recently, the motherboard was switched out.) At this point, she said she would call a higher up and see what she could do.

Fifteen minutes later, she called me back because I decided I did not want to wait on the line. I was connected with another woman, Melissa, who walked me through some diagnostics after asking me all of the "now, are you sure you're not an idiot at computers" questions. (Do you put the computer on blankets or directly in your lap?) (No.) I assured her that I did not do those things and she had me run some diagnostics. She then told me that they were going to send me a new battery, free of charge. It should be noted that the last guy from a month ago wanted to charge me the full amount of $129 because he thought my battery was a "little worn down." This woman was certain there was something bigger going on. I mentioned my iSight woes to her as well. When she heard all the problems I was having, she said that if there was one more problem with my computer after the new battery was installed. If there is one more problem, I will be getting a new computer. At this point, I don't really care about iLife 08. What I would really love is a computer that I don't have to have repaired on a monthly basis.

Will they send me a refurbished computer from two years ago? Or will I just get the same "generation" computer with the same specs (and problems?)

I'm just excited to have a computer that works again. The new battery comes on Monday or Tuesday. A little part of me hopes it doesn't work and I just get a new computer. Okay, a big part.

I can assure you, I have treated my computer well. No bathing or dropping. It sits atop an old geography book so the fans can breathe. I have loved it well. I hope it loves me back soon.

-Theresa

05 September 2008

I can't think of anything creative to blog about. I'm sitting at work (KVCC) alone right now since it's the first Friday of the semester and there aren't really any papers due yet. I mean, what is a writing center for but to edit a student's paper ten minutes before it's due? I'm listening to one of my Pandora stations that includes Bonnie 'Prince' Billy and can't get over how good some music is.

Music might have been one of my first passions in life that I can remember. Other than candy and wanting to be friends with people. Can you blame me? Candy is delicious. Oh, and books. I love books. I've been trying to think of the things I enjoy doing and the things I'm actually passionate about. If I can market those things, I can make a life plan. If I can make a life plan, maybe I can stop bitching about exactly how much I don't like my current station in life. I'm actively pursuing a life I am happy with, I swear. Yesterday, even though I hate how money rules everything, I made a stupid budget. That way, I can only blame myself for not following stupid money rules. Stupid, money. Anyway, where I was going with that is that I want to get out of debt. I have student loans, of course. But I also have a huge credit card balance because it also has a year's worth of tuition on it. Sweet. So, the plan? 1. Defer loans (my monthly loan payment is more than twenty percent of my monthly income). 2. Pay off credit card in ten months. 3. Stop bitching. People have it worse. 4. Go to the beach.

So far, I have a budget and a mediocre plan. Oh, and drive and some other things too.

I must admit: it's strange not being a student. When I get back to my flat at the end of the day, I don't have a million things I need to do, usually. I don't have homework. I don't have to worry about finals. Well, except for from the frantic students coming in to get their work edited. Oh, the stories from this place.

Right, I think I'm going to read. Thanks for following my spaghetti strands.

-Theresa

02 September 2008

A sum of one's parts

I'm at work. Always at work. There is no internet at my apartment yet because I still don't feel like paying for it.

Those of you who know me know I have a difficult time appreciating myself. I don't accept compliments well. I don't know where to put them. I'm not always self-deprecating but I definitely do it more often than I care to think about. Or admit. More recently, I have been reminded of something I used to believe. Now, I'm about certain.

My physical persona is more attractive to females than it is to males. Often, women are telling me of the parts of my body they wish they had because they find them attractive. I suppose it's a bit of the grass is always greener. The following is a list of my body parts that have been complimented by a woman saying "I wish my X was like yours":

Hair (the curls and thickness)
Lips
Complexion
Skin tone
Hands
Chest
Butt

I have very much not let these things go to my head. In all honesty, like all girls who are lame, it's hard to believe these things from people who are not... well... boys. It's stupid, I know. I have a body girls like. The more I think about it, however, the more annoyed I get. Less for the fact that guys don't notice but more for the fact that people like my PARTS. I would like to think that I am more than just a sum of my parts. I am a real person with real thoughts and emotions. Taking a step back, it should be noted that my actual body shape is not what some women want for themselves--no, just parts. It is not my face people want; just the shape of my lips and the color of my skin.

I would like to think that I am more than that. I would like to believe that under the parts that people peg as things they want, there is someone people want to get to know. I want to believe that that is more important.

I suppose I should start by believing these things first. And then start getting better at accepting compliments.

-Theresa