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Hi Adelle: What did I get? A headache is what I got. My son-in-law Danny took pity on my laptop plight. Sent me to Circuit City with a list of what to get. I schlepp an hour to Circuit City, walk in and five guys scramble to get to me first...I must exude an air of computer stupidity. I whip out Danny's list, hand it to a guy. He tries to sell me other stuff. I shake my head. He tries to get me to pay for "service" and warranty plans. I shake my head. "This is what Danny, er I want" I say pointing to the list. Wrap it up please." I get home, lug two massive boxes upstairs to my office. Open 'em up, start breaking white styrofoam to get 'em out. Finally everything is laid out on the floor. Capt. Tomato takes a look, gives me a look, lays down with a bone and watches. This does not help. I see a manual, quickly throw it away...I open a manual and I know I'm finished before I begin. So many wires, so many things...so little time. My laptop, on it's last legs, is still working and I've got a couple of trades going...so this cuts into my intense concentration...but I offer no excuses here. I start pluggin wires in. If they don't fit I search for someplace they will fit. I curse Danny. Capt. Tomato gives me a look of disgust, discards her bone, walks downstairs...abandoning me. But I persevere. When I'm finally stumped I call Danny. "He stepped out" I'm told and hear raucous laughter in the background. Mmmm. I persevere some more. I think there are no wires that aren't connected to something. I start hitting buttons. Nothing. More buttons...and suddenly the monitor lights up! I was more excited than the first time I ever fooled around with a girl. I did it. My daughter Jodi calls. "So?" she says. "So, what" I reply. "So...how's it going with your new computer?" "Piece a cake" I tell her, sweat dripping from my brow. "You did it? By yourself?" "Sure" I said. "Gee Dad, I guess I lost the bet". "Bet, what bet?" I asked. "Well, Danny and I were talking about you and your new computer and, well, we made a bet." "You bet I could do it right? That I could set it up myself." Jodi is very loyal. "Gee dad, you really did it?" Mmmm. "You bet AGAINST me?" I asked. "Sorry dad. Hope you like your new computer. Bye." Terrific. Anyway Adelle, I'm not sure what I got. It's made in China, it's got a keyboard, a monitor, coupla speakers, a big box and 2,000 wires. But it WORKS! And of course I haven't been so pleased with myself since I hammered a couple of nails into a fence...Suzy watching...without hitting my thumb. (Lee) |
