iBook dead....again

My long-time readers may remember that about a year ago this time, my iBook's hard drive failed. From that I learned the lesson, always always back up your data.

Oh wait, no I didn't. Because my iBook just died two nights ago, and still won't restart, and I didn't ever back up anything.

The difference this time is that I no longer have an Apple Store anywhere nearby where I can make a free appointment at the Genius Bar. The other difference this time is that I have no money.

Luckily, my non-attachment runs deep enough at this point that I am not worrying too much about all my emails, photos, documents, receipts, and other data that I may never see again. But hopefully, like last time, a cheap data recovery service will save some of that stuff for me.

Whatever will be, will be.

I'm tired of the internet

I'm not sure what happened. All of a sudden, I find myself completely uninterested in the websites I used to enjoy obsessing over. Rasmussen Reports, stock tickers, email, google analytics, Ron Paul fund raising numbers, they all seem like a total waste of time.

This is great. Not sitting on my computer is going to free up hours and hours of my day. But what will I do instead? Hm...I do have some books I've been meaning to read. I'm behind on my Fantasy & Science Fiction Magazines that Aunt Kathie kindly subscribed me to last spring. I have been meaning to take my dog out for walks more often. There are some drawings I've had in mind. And of course there is always plenty I can do to help out the Grand Old Party. I actually decided to write this blog post only because I needed something to do.

I wonder if this boredom with the computer is a permanent shift or just a phase that will pass.

7 Weird things about me

I was "tagged" by my sister to tell 7 weird things about myself. I could pretend to be one of those people who hates these personal surveys and does them only begrudgingly, but the truth is that I actually love them. It feeds my self-indulgent side.

1 - I live in near constant fear that I smell bad - either B.O. or bad breath.

2 - I used to sometimes eat vegan dog biscuits as a snack, until I decided to cut back on processed food.

3 - I don't like for anyone to look at my toes. When I was a kid, I would keep them covered at all times, even in front of family.

4 - I enjoy paying bills.

5 - During the 8 years I worked in corporate high-tech, I saved money like crazy because I was always sure that I'd get fired for incompetence.

6 - I stopped believing in God when I was about 6 or 7 years old. I have no idea why I thought to question it. I still enjoyed going to church and singing the hymns for years afterwards.

7 - I bought myself a symbol that will grant me passage on the Biaviian mothership.

OK, so now I have to tag someone else. David (DSK), I'm tagging you. Join in the fun if you wish.

My surreal life as a "good Republican"

I decided a while back to try to become a Republican delegate for Ron Paul. After all, it isn't the general public that ultimately nominates the party candidates, it is delegates at a national convention. In order to become a delegate, I need to get involved with the local Republican party so that people get to know me, and see that I am a "good Republican," and then vote for me. Don't ask me the specifics on how this all really works. I still don't know.

Tonight, I decided to attend a meeting of the Republican Women's Club to start getting to know people. I think it may be one of the weirdest things I've ever done. First, I should say that these ladies were all very nice and welcoming and were very happy I was there.

I walked into the meeting room and saw a large table of about 20 older ladies, dressed in blazers and decorative scarves. I thought to myself "Wow, I really don't fit in here." They looked at me as if they thought I must be lost. But I told them I was looking for the Republican Women's Club and they were thrilled to have me.

Many items were on the agenda, which began with a prayer for the troops and the Pledge of Allegiance. Most notable were the Lynn Cheney book signing and the Lincoln-Reagan Republican fund raising dinner. I signed up to help stuff envelopes for the dinner.

In related news, independent of this particular meeting, I have also volunteered to help with a Republican Congressional debate, and am now a "Precinct Chairman." I'm not entirely sure what that entails, but I know I get to attend some big monthly meeting.

In case anyone out there ever placed a bet that I would never be an active member of the Republican party - it's time to pay up.

2008 New Year's resolutions

It's a new year and my favorite holiday. The day when I like to reassess what is most important to me in the year ahead, and commit it to paper. Or, in this case, to a blog post. So here it goes – my New Year's resolutions for 2008:

1. Chew my food thoroughly. I eat way too fast. Chewing is the first phase of digestion, and is just as important as the rest.


2. Walk my dog twice a week. I have finally managed to walk him weekly, and he has a big yard and a dog door, but he really needs and deserves more excitement in his life.


3. Plant a vegetable garden. There is nothing as delicious as food you grow yourself. And it should save some money too since produce in the mountains seem rather pricey.


4. No more hitting refresh buttons on websites, email, and RSS readers. It's one thing to check in on my favorite sites. It's quite another to lose hours a day hitting refresh over and over just in case something changed.


5. Travel to two new places this year. I make this resolution every year. I'm already off to a good start since I flew into New Hampshire late last night.

Have a joyful and prosperous 2008!