Our relationship started in those first, frozen days of January, 2007. She was a 14″ Gateway computer on sale at Best Buy and I was a…well, I was me. Lil’ Blackie was my love. My life. My dearest material possession and she knew me better than just about anyone else. I shared my words, my dreams, my grocery lists, my party plans, my book proposals and my letters to Dear Abby with that computer. In fact, the very first thing I wrote on that beautiful machine was this post…which marked the beginning of this blog. Sniff. Lil’ Blackie wasn’t fancy,and she didn’t make me look cool in coffee shops, but she was loyal and true and that is worth just about everything , don’t you think?
Then she started coughing and sputtering. She became lethargic. I knew the spark was gone. In addition, I really wanted something much smaller (where smaller equals way cooler) for coffee shop writing and I have never had a Mac. Enter this lovely birthday gift from my husband:
She was beautiful. Sleek. Skinny. Shiny.
Oh, how I loved her.
For one week.
Then I got frustrated with the touch screen situation and also the fact that I primarily use my computer for writing and do most of the writing in a big comfy chair. My biggest argument with the iPad is that there really isn’t a great way to use it on your lap. Suddenly, the name ‘laptop’ was making a whole new level of sense. I’m sort of slow with technological terms.
My next decision was to buy a netbook. It was almost as small as my iPad, but it is lap-friendly and had other features I really liked.
But it was still too small. My aging eyes couldn’t see the screen very well and my temperamental fingers didn’t like sharing space on the downsized keyboard. Also? I pined for the CD/DVD drive that is necessarily missing in the tiny lil guys.
So, I sold the iPad, bequeathed the mini to my beloved and moved on to…guess what?
Exactly the computer I started with. Only new, improved and speedy quick! She is lovely if not lean and mighty if not mini. She exactly fulfilled my now-refined wish list for my new nearest and dearest Window friend: cheap and chubby.
I think this is the beginning of a beautiful relationship.
Be honest: have you ever had a computer become like a member of the family? Well, only be honest if your answer is yes, because otherwise I’m going to feel really silly.
Lovin’ New Blackie,
Bo
{P.S.: While finding the link to the first post I wrote, I also read the second post. I wrote it on our 22 wedding anniversary and it’s possible I indulged in a bit of a weep over the way I keep thinking “finally, I know what I didn’t know then.” I will say, however, it still reflects my heart today. That’s all. Over and out. Amen.}
Sometimes it’s best not to fix it if it ain’t broke. But newer and better of the same is good. How about a little story and praise.
My daughter went through her first Tornado Alarm and hide yesterday (in the stair well that goes to garage). Got a text that the alarms are blowing and the Tornado is 15 miles away and heading in her direction. Husband away at work but called her and told her where to go for safety. At 5 I was able to thank the Lord for hearing my prayer of protection and the alarms were silent and all is well.
It was noisy and the storm that went with it was really bad. In fact, she couldn’t even see the water tower that was across the street. Yahoo!! What a day and experience. Oh well I suppose the longer they are in Iowa the more she’ll get used to it.
Thank you Lord for keeping her safe and sound!!!
Bo… I am curious as to why you didn’t go with a Mac Book Pro? My PINK dell laptop is seeing its final days and I am sentimental to say the least 🙂 I have dug out the flash drive and made sure everything important was backed up for when the pinkie decides to give up on me. 🙁 My next purchase will be a MacBook Pro. I hear they hardly get any viruses or none at all. I am looking forward to all your new adventures on your new electronic device! Hugs and Grace!!!
Teresa – what I REALLY wanted was the Mac Air and the reason I didn’t get it is spelled $$$. 🙂
You make me smile and laugh. Thanks for making my normally uneventful lunch break anything but that. My first lap top didn’t have wifi capabilities-snow painful dial up and I loved it!. When I was ready to move on to bigger and better things (I built my own computer-epic fail-FYI) I tried to give it to my sister. That much cooler kiddo didn’t want the dieing clunker, but I think it was forced on her:-) I had my Toshiba till its almost last breathe and I still miss it.
Haha, Tara…way to be loyal to a good machine! It shows character!
Jon often calls my computer “my little friend” or “the black box” — and yes, mine probably knows me better than I know myself (or at least I feel I know myself better when we’re together). But lately, my new little iPhone has given my little friend some serious competition.
Btw, the 22nd anniversary post was precious. You two are such an awesome couple!!!! GO Team GO!!!!!
Okay…I will confess right now, that I bought a lottery ticket today. The megabucks is over 300 million. 🙂 So, if I win, I will most definitely buy you a Mac Air. 🙂
Yaaaaay, Teresa! I will send you an email from my Mac Air when you win! 🙂
Yes, of course he’s a member of the family. Who would have it any other way.
His name is Oliver.
He’s small
A Netbook. My fingers are crowded, but you can put up with that for a little guy named Oliver.
And now he’s slower than necessary, but again…hello…Oliver.
He knows ALL my secrets and keeps them password locked for me. How kind is that? And he remembers all my favorite places to be…like this blog!
He’ll get a hard drive makeover for the summer, I think. And a new purse to fit into (because an Oliver doesn’t need a big clunky ‘ol bag which is a large part of his charm).
Welcome to the family, NuvoBlacky! I’d love to introduce you to Oliver one day!
~Jenn
Oh, yes, Bo – I too love all things as part of my family. When my red car that I had in Bend died on the way to Caleb & Ashley’s wedding and my parents had to find another to purchase & bring to me, I wouldn’t let my mom take a picture of me with the old car because I was barely holding back a ridiculous floodgate of tears.
And when my last laptop, a Sony Vaio, was dying – it would shut off if not plugged in, and the cord was old and broken, so I had to wedge it just so around the back of the laptop and then plug it in and put something underneath the box part of the cord to tilt it so that it would get the charge. If anyone walked heavily nearby – Poof! Computer off. Anyway, when I finally had the money to get my new love, the Macbook Pro, it sat prettily in it’s box for about 3 weeks before I finally made the switch.
While I’m at, say hi to Riso (you know, the big program printer) and Clive (the guillotine paper cutter) for me next time you’re back in the cave at the church – those were some loyal friends for a couple of years. 🙂
You are not alone… I too have long had relationships with my computer. They have come and gone, …usually they didn’t have a name beyond “puter” but they are so instrumental and important that when I have to get a new one, I almost feel traitorous 🙂