Today is Monday

Life: Work:
Weight: ??? Hours of Sleep:
Let’s see where to start…
I got back to the hotel and unpacked the computer. I had turned on the tv and ironed a shirt. It was time to get online and it ends up I have to go back to the front desk to get a T-Mobile card. There’s only one room further from the front desk as mine. I get online through all this silly process. I have to turn on Java and Cookies to make their site work – something that I normally turn off when on the road on public wireless. I’m on their site and I see the download process download something. Then the pop-ups start. It’s the same virus that Tim had on their home computer. I removed the wireless card and tried stopping the applications. I could see them but they wouldn’t stop. I went to the processes and started removing the ones that I recognized as being able to stop. I finally got the computer to restart and had intended to start up in safe mode so I could remove the files – I remember where they are. I hit some other function key than I was supposed to and it by default tries to start up using Sony System Recover. Hmm. After 90 minutes of trying to get the computer to startup – it basically isn’t recognizing the hard drive.
I am 1,959 miles from work and have to process payroll among my other remote computing duties. Not having a computer really puts a crimp in that plan. I then spent the better part of 90 minutes trying to find a computer. All the computer stores had things from $700 to $1200 and I could use a credit card there. I had brought some extra cash for the trip – something I do not normally do.
I searched Craigslist and found lots of computers in the Boston area but none in my price range of under $350 and not many in my area. I finally found one that had some off-lease Dells for $360. I’d have to wait until morning.
In the – possibly too much information area – I choose to shave in the sink before getting in the shower. A sink stopper really helps accommodate this. After the night I had, of course, no stopper. I get creative using the plastic that comes around the plastic cups. In hindsight, I should probably just pack my own. Getting out of the shower, I reached for the towel and started drying my face. That towel was super funky I thought. I opened my eyes and there was an old blood stain on the towel. Sadly, we all know what it looks like and there it was. Now with all the blood-borne issues going through my head as I was running later that I had wanted. I get out and start to get ready. No hair dryer. I call the front desk and they say they have one up there. Now I have to get dressed to make the long trek to the desk again. I don’t bother about the towel as I just need to leave. Get ready. Pack the car. Go to check out and the guy doesn’t ask the normal ‘how was your stay’. I tell him about the the internet, the towel, and the hair dryer. He asks if I want to keep it on the same credit card. I guess I’ll be sending an email to the Red Roof Inns.
IF I HAD A COMPUTER.
I called the number from Craigslist thinking I’d get a machine as it said it was a business. Nope, she answered. It’s a single mom with a newborn and she works from the house. Oh well. She was 10 minutes from the store so it would work out.
The class was not so exciting. I was supposed to start at 8am. I got there at 7:45. The manager went to the restroom and didn’t come back until 8:15. The class wasn’t what I had wanted it to be. Not much input – the manager almost fell asleep. They just weren’t into it. That makes it tough.
The computer lady wanted me to wait 45 minutes before coming over and I let her know that I was on a tight schedule. It was a quick drive and she had two laptops. About 20 minutes later I was on my way with a new, used $340 Dell laptop.
The car rental place took me to the train station and I had just missed the 11:30 train. These run every hour so I just sat outside and waited. Two transfers later I make it to the Amtrak station and waited. Made it on the train and all was well.
I love rail. Even for the slow times – here’s the good things: cheaper, things to look at, you can have a conversation, you can talk/text, you can use the computer, you have a/c to charge everything and you don’t have to undress before getting on. If you take the time that you have to be at an airport beforehand and waiting for luggage – I bet it works out.
I got this computer up and running, although I don’t have any of my software so I can’t post the photos or edit them from the camera. I’m sure there’s a way, but I don’t have all my settings with me.
The train was nice, I’ll post some photos and video later. At New York Penn station, the train filled up and sure enough – my old nemesis, Stinky Guy sat next to me. I think he had just ran a marathon – or at least smelled of it. Luckily my stop was just ten minutes away.
I need to shut down so I can get going.