I work from home, and Friday afternoon something very terrible and yet potentially wonderful happened. My laptop went on the fritz! I get up from in front of my computer late in the afternoon, I walk away, and when I walk back the laptop won’t stay powered up, and in the few moments it is powered up I have a very very very dark screen. I fiddle with it, I mess with it, there is much rebooting … nothing.
With a non-functional laptop, I had no recourse but to go into the office this morning. HORRORS!
I suppose I should be grateful that I have an office to go in to. I work from home because I work for a department that isn’t located in our local office. When I used to go into the office, I found I could go for days without talking to anyone in the same building as me (except for the occasional “hi” in the hallway, and sometimes not even that). I did get to know 6 or 7 people, but not well and I didn’t actually work with them. When I made the point that I could work during hours I’d otherwise be commuting, folks up the ladder agreed that my working from home would be a-OK.
Anyway, I get in to the office this morning and Mr. IT man and I figure out that if we change the power supply and use an external monitor and keyboard, the computer works.* I have to take some parts and pieces home with me, but I should still be able to work from home.
The potentially wonderful part? Mr. IT is implying to my bosses that my department should buy me a new laptop (although he’s not pushing it at all since they have to pay for it). WOO HOO! I hate my laptop. I swear it was designed by someone out to break my back – the thing is so danged heavy that every time I take it on a trip I’ve lost all blood to my arm by the time I get on a plane. It’s like hauling a very small, dense dead body around with me all the time. I broke down and got a backpack, which helps evenly distribute the pain but doesn’t go very far in the “try to look professional” department.
It isn’t a done deal that I get a new laptop … many people up the ladder have to approve the request, and I’m afraid some of those people will think repairing it is a good idea. The idea of getting this one repaired makes me sad on two levels – 1.) it is heavy. Very heavy. I don’t want to have to haul this monster everywhere anymore. Did I mention it’s heavy? But also, 2.) if I have to send in my laptop to be repaired, how am I supposed to work? If the laptop is far away, how do I function? Do I have to go into the office every day and use a crappy loaner computer? Please no!
Everyone, please send lots of “approve the new laptop request” vibes out to my company.
In the meantime, if I have to travel, I have no idea how I’ll manage an external monitor, keyboard, and the docking station I need to make my computer function. Anyone know of a good Sherpa I can rent?
Oh, a side note. While I was in the office I ran into three of the people I know. One didn’t say anything about my weight, one mentioned that I looked thinner (yay!) and taller than I used to look, and the third person mentioned I looked “about a foot taller.” Odd about the two taller comments, eh? Although it is tempting to try to believe I’ve had an abnormally late-in-life growth spurt, I don’t buy it. I’m interpreting taller as thinner + well-fitting dark pants + boots with a heel. So hooray for all that! I’m good with being taller and thinner!
On a not so bright side note, I didn’t resist the bagel shop I passed on the way into the office. I used to love bagels and I haven’t had a bakery bagel in … man … I can’t think of the last time. My only hope is that my couch to 5k week 2 day 2 run tonight combined with my training session will offset it somewhat. I’m sure I’ll have to use some flexpoints, too. Grr. I hate using flexpoints on a Monday (which is day 1 of my week).
Back to my point. Please remember … think “Approve the request for a new laptop, approve the request for a new laptop, approve the request for a new laptop …”
* You fancy techie folks who might think “oh, I can totally fix that” … you guys can just shut it. I want a new computer.
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11 comments:
Your progress is totally impressing me! And I am sending lots of new-computer vibes over there!
Good luck on the week 2 day 2 tonight! I did it today and felt so good afterwards. I think I might end up liking this whole running thing in the end. I also have a very heavy computer so I'm definitely sympathizing and sending some good vibes.
I'm thinking "approve the new laptop" but in the meantime, I have heard that pilates makes you stand straighter and feel and look taller, leaner. Have you been doing pilates?
Yes, the laptop could probably be fixed, but I always look at the breakage as an opportunity to replace what is broken. I know that for me, it's difficult to get a replacement (particularly at home), unless the current computer is busted. In fact, that's how I got my last new computer a little over two years ago now. Then I fixed the broken computer. ;-)
Anyway, I hope it works out for you.
Is it a Toshiba?
Oh I hope you get a nifty, light, new computer!
Hope you get a new laptop!!!!!
Here's to a new laptop **vibes** haha.
Don't sweat the bagel shop incident, I'm sure with the running you won't see a problem from that.
Also, totally jealous you get to work from home. What I would give to not have to deal with people on a regular basis lol.
New computer. New computer.
Those were my vibes. Lemme know if they worked.
Hm... er... my laptop has being playing up. your post reminds me I really ought to backup the data!! eeeeek.
Maybe you can push the matter by arguing that replacing parts in a laptop is often so expensive that buying a new one is a better investment? Carrying a heavy thing like this is awful. The one I have for work is a Dell--heavy with a very heavy case as well--and since I usually take my bike on days I go to the office, it's seriously a pain in the neck, especially that on mornings, the road is quite steep in some parts. So I feel your pain!
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