This and That: It's Inevitable
       By Elizabeth B. Wright  June 2006

Yes, your computer can and will die.

My computer started doing really strange things a few weeks ago. The screen on my monitor started twitching. Not blinking, just making rapid sideways movements. It would kind of clear up when I changed tasks, but then it started to melt. At least the picture looked like it was melting, similar to watching the landscape through a window while it is raining. Everything distorted and liquid looking. Naturally I suspected my beautiful almost new monitor. But I found that when I used my alternate computer the monitor magically cleared up.

So I had it figured out. Something was wrong with my computer. But I had far too many things to do than fiddle with trying to track down the problem. Among those chores was writing my article for this month's eMonitor. And no, I had not saved it to a floppy or anything else in case of disaster. Well, another lesson learned. A second recent project was a business transaction with an individual whom I have never met. She doesn't know if I am good for the money or not. She had just sent me her mailing address via e-mail when the computer died. Fortunately I knew how to get back to her via a website, so when I got connected using my alternate computer, I quickly fired back an e-mail explaining the problem. Within seconds I had a repeat of her address on my new computer. Guess what??? I copied it onto a piece of paper. So much for paperless society.

Now the next step is to actually get the first computer repaired. It will be interesting to find out what happened and I will let you know.

Most everyone has been to at least one graduation exercise in May. Children, grandchildren, friends. It is always such a wonderful occasion to see the transition from the completion of one of life's journeys into a future filled with the unknown. The excitement of the graduate and the bursting pride of the family and friends is such a joy. We were able to have our entire family (not that it is very big) in one place for our second granddaughter’s high school commencement. This could be the last time we will have the opportunity to have all of us in one place at the same time as we live in different states and the grandchildren are beginning to disperse. And how does this tie in with computers? Well, wouldn't you know it would be digital cameras?

My son and I each had our cameras at the ready when we grouped together for our "Big Picture". Our son's mother-in-law agreed to take pictures with both cameras. And with a large memory card in each camera, we instructed her to take multiple pictures with each. And it's a good thing we were able to do that. Our two youngest grandsons (six and seven) were not being particularly cooperative. Out of the many versions of the picture, we may get a composite that will show the best of everyone. Since we were outdoors, the sun was a factor. In some pictures our daughter is squinting; in others "Papa" is valiantly trying to get the two boys to ignore each other and face the camera. Older brother in the back is alternately looking at the camera and looking down, trying to figure out if he can help with the boys. As for me, mostly good, but one with my eyes tightly closed. And that is one of the better pictures of everyone else. Yes, I know, if we were going to do this we should have hired a professional. But hey, look at the memories these pictures hold. We will all remember the day with happiness in our hearts.

For some of you, there are still graduations to come in June. If you haven’t gotten your digital camera yet, now is the time to do it.
 

Elizabeth Wright is a member of the CCOKC and a regular writer for the eMonitor