I weakened and spent money and I’m not even sorry

Sometimes it feels so good to let go for a change

It all started when my wireless system at home stopped working. My desktop computer worked fine but the laptop was dead. I called in my technician and he slaved away for ten minutes and then said, “Everything’s fine, it’s fixed. I brought it back to life. Why don’t you get yourself a decent screen if you’re doing so much work? Much easier on the eyes, you know. Just buy it, bring it home, plug it in and pray.” I laughed at his little joke. Plug in and pray indeed! I paid, he left and the little seed he had planted began to grow until I couldn’t stand it.

I raced off

I shopped around on the internet and compared prices. Then I checked the amount of a Personal Loan I could raise from the Personal Money Store to see if I really could afford one of those nice slim, wide screens in place of the huge box I have on my desk. It all fit together nicely and I raced off to the computer store.

Things have changed

There is now a computer store on every corner, not like a few years ago when you really had to drive around and look for one. This one was in the parking basement of a small strip mall and despite the galloping recession, the place was packed with people. I stood in line and was finally directed to the Screens and Peripherals department. Another line and finally I was in front of the screen man. I came home with my package humming a Pay and Pray mantra.

The weather factor

It’s summer, every day more glorious than the previous. The days are not yet fiery hot and the humidity hasn’t started but after half an hour scrunched down behind the computer screen, I was wet and frantic. What’s the prayer for a brand new computer screen that doesn’t switch on, I yelled to nobody? Dead, a brand new, just-unpacked, computer screen. I called my technician but there was no answer. Just then the screen switched on. I collapsed into the chair and breathed a short prayer of thanks.

The *?!#?!* Mouse!

No mouse! Everything works but there is no mouse. Why didn’t I ask the technician to do all this? I could have screamed with frustration. I hate these 2 minute jobs that turn into 2 hour monsters leaving one drained and irritable. I went to the kitchen and ate in silence. Back in the study the mouse came to life on its own and when I walked in, the computer and screen and mouse were all waiting anxiously for me to sit down and start working.

Just testing

These things are done to test us, to test our ability to sit things out, to see if we are up to scratch in the funny games that life plays on us.

Everything works.

This little tale has a happy ending. Everything works. The new wide screen is great and everything is large enough for me to see without leaning into the words. I bet my bank balance swells too!