Ticked Off

I am not a happy camper. Staples has their "techie desk," and a month ago I had them diagnose for me why this computer had no audio.

Regular readers may recall that one of my new years' resolutions was: "Regarding technology: enter the 21st century. For example, get audio back for my computer. Get Skype capacity for it. Learn how to use -- heck, become comfortable using -- my scanner."

Anyway, mid-January, I went to the local Staples for the diagnosis. They told me its a simple matter -- the old "audio card" is kaput, they need a new one. At this point they made it seem as if I could expect the new audio card any hour. By the nonce, I left the computer in their care.

After the first day went by, I told them I needed the computer back, sound or no sound.  But I left money on deposit with them so they could do whatever they had to do to get the part and give me a call.

More days go back, and January gives way to February. They start telling me that supply problems were created by the tsunamai in Japan, the flood in Thailand, every damn thing.

Last Thursday (Feb. 9th) they told me that their wholesaler, who is only about 40 miles away from them, expected to have the card the following day, so they'd probably have it Saturday.

On Monday (Feb. 13th) they couldn't explain to me what had happened to that card, but they were sure trying hard to get me one, you betcha.

On Wednesday (Feb. 15th) they told me that they had a firm date.  February 21.  Next Tuesday.  A month after the diagnosis. I'm not sure how they can be "firm" about this, if they couldn't accurately ascertain what was happening 40 miles away last week.  But hey ... patience ain't just the alter ego of Catwoman.

I'll let you know how it goes next week.

Things Starting to Break

After a tricky few months, matters are starting to break my way. I refer here to my personal cash-flow situation. You, dear reader, will have to accept this elliptical reference as sufficient, and fill in the details as your imagination prefers.

Those who know of what I speak won't need me to fill it in. Those who don't know, don't need to know.

At any rate, I have has a very welcome run of good news over the last few days.

I'm inclined to do the most arrogant thing possible, and to imagine that my own situation is a microcosm of that of the planet, or perhaps just of this nation, at large. Perhaps I've had a bit of good luck because cash-flow matters are improving more generally.

And yet ... of course I know better. My own situation is my own. In fact, part of my personal good news stems from my ability to serve as the bearer of rather bad tidings. So I can only hope for an improvement that it might be less egocentric for me to discuss, and better tidings that I might more happily bear.