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the_vultureMy computer is dying and there doesn't seem to be much I can do to keep it alive. I have a once loved Toshiba Satellite that used to belong to ![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
marykate_gift. She gave it to me before I left for England, sparing me a great deal of expense and hassle in trying to move my desktop and/or purchasing a new system in the UK. Sadly though, it has taken to freezing on me in an ugly way. Often, when I go to reboot, it will not initialize. I have to give it a bit of a shake to get it going (which indicates a short, but I can't get inside to find out where and fix it). I've managed to back my files onto CD-Rom, but that doesn't help the fact that I'll soon be without one of my primary sources of entertainment and contact with home (sigh...). Replacing the laptop would cost about 500 pounds, which would really eat up a LOT of my emergency budget. Given how uncertain my future is, at the moment, I really can't afford to make that kind of an investment yet (especially given the impending marriage of my brother and sister-to-be). Blech! Even putting a tower together is going to be ugly expensive (damn UK highway robbery!). I've put out a call to a number of friends and family for spare computer parts; it'll be cheaper for me to pay the shipping than to purchase them here. Still, that'll take time. I really should see if this system can hold out till the end of May; by then, at the latest, I'll know if I'll still have a job with this school. I should, by then, also know whether or not I can actually stay in the country to work (but that's another drama), as this, courtesy of new regulations made back in October, is no longer assured.
At least, however, there is a computer with broadband connection in the house; I just have to get up extra early to get access to it as it is in use by its owner much of the time when he is home and awake. I can also pick up a TV and DVD player combo unit for under 80 pounds, too, so my DVD viewage won't be seriously affected. Still, being without a working computer of my own for an unforeseeable period of time is uncomfortable.
In other news, I still haven't gotten Easter chocolate. I picked up a nice Guylian Belgium chocolate egg for a dear friend of mine, but we haven't had a chance to share it as she hasn't yet made it back into town (she was supposed to last night). Ah well, I'll be in town later on today and may just pick up an egg of my own, if there are any left. As for the spiritual side of this season, I've been a little slow in getting to my Ostarra ceremony, but I finally got around to performing it last night. This involved decorating the egg, that I had boiled the night before, with runes indicating my desires for the coming year. The egg is still on my altar, waiting to be buried. That may have to wait a few more days, as I would have to make a day trip of hiking to find an appropriate spot. 'Course, I've also been thinking of just dropping it into the canal from a footbridge that crosses over it. This is not the traditional way of dealing with the egg, but I think the nutrients of the egg will make their way back into the ecosystem much more quickly and, while traditionally fertility is associated with the fields and their productivity, and the canals used to be the lifeline of trade in the UK, representing a more modern form of productivity. Besides, the canal is pretty, especially with all the ducks, swans, and decorated canal boats moored to the banks.
It's a bank holiday today and what will I be doing? Yep, you guessed it, heading over to the school to get some more work done. Blech! Still, the more I get done now, the less hassle I will have at the start of the new term. Yep, such is the life of a teacher. At least it's a beautiful day for a walk.
marykate_gift. She gave it to me before I left for England, sparing me a great deal of expense and hassle in trying to move my desktop and/or purchasing a new system in the UK. Sadly though, it has taken to freezing on me in an ugly way. Often, when I go to reboot, it will not initialize. I have to give it a bit of a shake to get it going (which indicates a short, but I can't get inside to find out where and fix it). I've managed to back my files onto CD-Rom, but that doesn't help the fact that I'll soon be without one of my primary sources of entertainment and contact with home (sigh...). Replacing the laptop would cost about 500 pounds, which would really eat up a LOT of my emergency budget. Given how uncertain my future is, at the moment, I really can't afford to make that kind of an investment yet (especially given the impending marriage of my brother and sister-to-be). Blech! Even putting a tower together is going to be ugly expensive (damn UK highway robbery!). I've put out a call to a number of friends and family for spare computer parts; it'll be cheaper for me to pay the shipping than to purchase them here. Still, that'll take time. I really should see if this system can hold out till the end of May; by then, at the latest, I'll know if I'll still have a job with this school. I should, by then, also know whether or not I can actually stay in the country to work (but that's another drama), as this, courtesy of new regulations made back in October, is no longer assured.At least, however, there is a computer with broadband connection in the house; I just have to get up extra early to get access to it as it is in use by its owner much of the time when he is home and awake. I can also pick up a TV and DVD player combo unit for under 80 pounds, too, so my DVD viewage won't be seriously affected. Still, being without a working computer of my own for an unforeseeable period of time is uncomfortable.
In other news, I still haven't gotten Easter chocolate. I picked up a nice Guylian Belgium chocolate egg for a dear friend of mine, but we haven't had a chance to share it as she hasn't yet made it back into town (she was supposed to last night). Ah well, I'll be in town later on today and may just pick up an egg of my own, if there are any left. As for the spiritual side of this season, I've been a little slow in getting to my Ostarra ceremony, but I finally got around to performing it last night. This involved decorating the egg, that I had boiled the night before, with runes indicating my desires for the coming year. The egg is still on my altar, waiting to be buried. That may have to wait a few more days, as I would have to make a day trip of hiking to find an appropriate spot. 'Course, I've also been thinking of just dropping it into the canal from a footbridge that crosses over it. This is not the traditional way of dealing with the egg, but I think the nutrients of the egg will make their way back into the ecosystem much more quickly and, while traditionally fertility is associated with the fields and their productivity, and the canals used to be the lifeline of trade in the UK, representing a more modern form of productivity. Besides, the canal is pretty, especially with all the ducks, swans, and decorated canal boats moored to the banks.
It's a bank holiday today and what will I be doing? Yep, you guessed it, heading over to the school to get some more work done. Blech! Still, the more I get done now, the less hassle I will have at the start of the new term. Yep, such is the life of a teacher. At least it's a beautiful day for a walk.
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eggs, etc
Date: 2005-03-28 12:22 pm (UTC)Sorry about the laptop. It certainly lasted a long time tho. I mean considering how it got beaten around for two years while I traveled, it's probably in bad shape. Like I said before, that model is known for overheating, but I doubt that is the problem. I remember that it had a short in the back where the plug goes... maybe that has gotten worse. You know, maybe the thing just needs a good cleaning. Might be cheaper than getting a new system...
Enjoy your walk. I have a week of writing and enjoying life ahead of me... I also have some work to do and am going to write all my midsemester reports so I am ahead of the game.
I rock.
:)
no subject
Date: 2005-03-28 06:06 pm (UTC)You do, indeed! (grin!)