I'm writing to you from my new computer. That's right, I finally bought a new computer. It was time. Ever since I got the iPhone and started putting my music into iTunes and downloading songs I've been having some issues with the old computer. On one occasion it locked up and had to be restarted, which isn't a big deal, but when it asked me to pick a restore point, I was a little worried. And last weekend it was locking up while I was exploring eBay. So, it was time. After some careful comparison shopping, I settled on a new Compaq. My last two computers have been Compaqs, and I have been very pleased with the quality and performance. The new machine has 3GB of Ram and a 250GB hard drive. Since the old computer was rocking 256MB of Ram and a 40GB hard drive, I feel I can safely say that I have made the transition to the 21st century. I went ahead and got a new monitor (19" flat screen) and a new printer (a Brother fax/copier/scanner/printer all-in-one). I had needed a new printer for awhile, ever since the old one quit working when I installed a generic printer cartridge that evidently didn't work properly. I (obviously) have the computer and monitor up and running, but the printer is going to take at least another day. I didn't realize I would need to buy a USB cable to hook it up. Remember the days when electronics came with everything they needed in the box? Yeah, me too. Anyway, I need to pick up a printer cable and maybe a special USB cable to hook up the two computers together so I can transfer files. I haven't decided if I want to do that or if I want to just get an external hard drive and transfer everything that way. Guess I'll decide when I get to the store tomorrow. Or whenever. I got everything from Best Buy, but I had to have it shipped. Only the printer was available in the Columbus area, and I didn't feel like driving to Reynoldsburg to get it. All told, the cost with shipping and taxes was only $660, which I think is a great price. The monitor was less than $100 in the bundle, which I'm told is a really good bargain. My only complaint? As with my old machine, when I put the computer into sleep mode, it turns back on within 15 minutes or so. I think it's the internet connection that keeps waking the computer up, but I'm not sure. I solved the problem on the old computer by creating a short cut to disable the internet when I wasn't using it, but I'm having a bit of a hard time navigating Vista to figure out how to do that. Meh. It can't be that hard. Actually, there is another complaint: who in the Hell uses Microsoft Works? Why don't computer manufacturers just get over themselves and put Word and Excel on every machine they sell? I mean, really... School has been school. I find myself quickly losing patience with my seniors most days. They are really annoying me. I have never encountered a group of students who have been as whiny and lackadaisical as they have. It sounds terrible, but I can't wait for most of them to be gone. Grading has been okay. I'm pretty caught up right now, so that's a plus. I have a secret (or not so secret) admirer. I have received no less than 4 envelopes addressed to "Tree" with hearts all over them in my mailbox this week. Inside each envelope is a couple of Indiana Jones Valentine's. I have pretty good idea who they are from....okay, I know exactly who they are from, but I still find them hilarious. They have really made my week. (Thanks Nick!!) Ben was in town two weeks ago. It was his last hurrah before shipping off to Iraq. I believe he left Wednesday or Thursday of this week. He has started email updates so we can keep track of how he is doing. If you haven't received the first one and would like to be kept in the loop, let me know and I'll be happy to forward them to you. Please keep Ben and his men in your prayers. I really like the new Morrissey CD. The new U2 is pretty good, but it definitely has to grow on you. Battlestar Galactica has two episodes left. This half season has been gut wrenching. They still have some questions to answer, but I have faith that they won't leave the fans hanging. I bought some new books recently. Domino Men is the follow up (two minor characters transfer over, but I guess its really not a sequel) to Barnes' The Somnabulist. I also picked up Drood by Dan Simmons. It's a thriller (sort of) about Charles Dickens. And Peace Like a River is the latest book club pick. Along with the last of the Star Wars: Coruscant Nights trilogy, I have more than enough to keep me busy for awhile. I guess that's about it. I'm sure there's more to fill you in on, but a lot of it is school related and I just don't feel like talking about most of it on the weekend. Sorry. Take care of yourselves and each other. Until next time... | 
