random spout

So you're sitting at home and you think, it's been a while since I backed up my hard drive. And then you reach for that sacred little machine and plug it in and while you're doing it you decide to browse a bit online and then you wonder, why is that stupid rainbow wheel still spinning? Is Facebook having issues AGAIN? Is my connection bouncing back and forth? Is - oh you've got to be kidding me - rainbow wheel spins and spins and Time Machine seems to be holding its breath. And then - seriously? My computer is NOT crashing. Hit the manual "off" switch. Wait. Minute up. Turn back on. Now all I see is an Apple. Are you mocking me, MAC? Is this because I had just literally hung up after having a conversation affirming how awesome MAC is vs PC? Oh karma, you're cruel. And then it happens. After a dozen attempts to manually turn off and on my MacBook and removing the hard drive and putting it back in, I realize - this is it. My damn MAC is putting itself down and I breathe and then I return to the scene of the homocide and still - dead. Staring at me. As if laughing. Make a new life? Keep your genius writing? Ahh, you silly, silly girl. Now I rule the cyber world in which you so depend. And the Time Machine actually blinks - like a wink. Yes, a wink. Bastard. I knew I should have gone out with you more. Now you're just being mean. Wait, is the Apple store still open? You bet your ass it is! In my car I go. 10 minutes to computer resuscitation. Park the car. Get into mall. Oh my god, it's on the OTHER side? That's okay, I've still got 30 minutes until they close. Walk at a steady pace. Ok, now I'm hot. Wait, I thought the store was right here! What's this black wall thing? Nooooooo. Closed for remodeling? Are you f------- kidding me? Nearest store is where? 411. Irvine. Ok, 20 minutes until they close. I can do this. My dad taught me to drive like a bat of hell. Screw the tickets, I've got to save my stuff! Two seconds to the onramp ... shake. Shake. Shake. Beeeeeep!!!! Engine light. Oh MY GOD! I am NOT your friend, KARMA. You are a mo----------------! And then the tears fall because now I'm stuck in the Costco parking lot with a broken car AND a broken computer. Talk about testing ones limits! But in the end, after a long week, Apple was able to restore SOME of my more important documents and iTunes took pity on me since I've spent over a thousand dollars on music over time and the Writers Store kept a copy of my Final Draft registration. And my car didn't cost a thing. And fixing my computer didn't cost a thing. Ok, not true. I paid for an upgrade Apple Care package AND had to replace my rear brake pads but the coils that busted WERE covered. It may have cost $300 but damn if it wasn't a new computer AND a new car. That would have just thrown me into crazy-ville for sure. So the moral of this story is: BACK UP YOUR HARD DRIVE EVERY SINGLE DAY! And don't forget to get your car checked every now and again because it might not be "covered". Thank you. That's all I have to say about that. BACK UP YOUR HARD DRIVE! Ok, I think I'm done - no, let me clarify one more time - BACK UP YOUR HARD DRIVE. Did I mention I'm buying a second external hard drive? Oh yeah, I'm THAT paranoid now. And for my loyal followers on www.dawngarcia.com, I'm in the process of re-building my site. Yes, should I attempt to blog on the existing site, I will lose everything. Good times. For now, please visit me here. Thank you and please, as a public service announcement, back up your computer. There. I said it. I'm done.