Just checking in

[cleolinda]

So.

I haven't tried plugging the computer into different outlets yet, because I'm kind of afraid of what might happen, and yes, this makes me sound like a total weaksauce loser... until you recall that I live in the House of the Damned and that I could probably blow something up, including but not limited to myself. So I'm steeling myself to get experimental with an extension cord, so at least I'm not toting Camille and the monitor to and fro.

Been writing a lot in my diary--my actual bound blank-book diary, for lack of anywhere else to diarize. (I'd say "to journal," but I think of that as something I do here, with the arbitrary distinction of a "diary" being more private.) I diaried for a while in Word documents (this is another reason I was loath to turn Betsy over to strangers for data recovery). I feel like typing, by virtue of engaging both hands, engages both sides of your brain more distinctly, and I type so much now--don't we all?--that writing by hand feels like I've got one hand tied behind my back. But what am I going to do, keep a diary on the family computer? Keep it somewhere online? That's just never, ever going to end well. If not now, then later. So I finished up the last few pages of my Jane Eyre diary (second one down) and moved on to the Tiffany lily journal (the blue one), filling two or three pages each day.

(You know, sometimes I think that ridiculous things happen to me because I write them down. Like, somewhere, a mischievous God is like, "Oh, I thought you liked writing about your tribulations. Job kept a whole Book, you know. This is also why I have interesting things happen to the people around you. Like your mother, Me bless her." "Well, yes, that's nice and all, I suppose I appreciate the sentiment, but... could You have some of the interesting, non-frustrating things happen to me? I can talk about those as well." "I'll take it under consideration. Maybe. Is that a new diary...?")

Also, my nose is about to itch off my face, which bodes well for future sinus problems.

Because there is always Twifuckery going on, without fail: MTV has 14 seconds of the new New Moon trailer that is running in front of some godforsaken teen movie this weekend, I don't even know. I feel fairly certain that they will ask the readership to record their trailer-viewing histrionics again, which makes me feel tired just thinking about it. Also, here's Barbie and the Sparkenpire frolicking in a sunlit forest. I really want Barbie to come with a talk button. "Math is hard! Vampires are hot! Eighteen is OLD!"

This is the kind of randomness that cracks you up when you've been without a computer of your own for more than a week.

(Oh, and word on the street is that BBC approval is what's currently holding up the Tonner Doctor Who/Torchwood dolls, although supposedly John Barrowman loves their Jack Harkness sculpt, so I don't know.)

Man, I hate coding HTML by hand.

Comments

[sigma7.livejournal.com]

Man, I hate coding HTML by hand.

Sorry I'm too remote to assist with Camille, but the least I can do is pimp the BBCode plugin (https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/128). Despite the name, it also does HTML and custom tags (say, LJ usernames and cuts). Can't recommend it enough.

Best of luck and all my prayers re: the Camilling. You're due -- at the very least -- a break now.

[strega42.livejournal.com]

Regarding the plugging stuff into a bad socket thing... I've had that happen. Didn't kill the laptop, but it sure killed my power brick! I would suggest plugging in a table lamp to the suspected socket to test it. It's quite likely that the worst that will happen is that it will kill the light bulb.

Good luck! You're not the only person I've seen lately who's been having insane, retarded, stupid computer problems.

[editornia.livejournal.com]

I would suggest plugging in a table lamp to the suspected socket to test it. It's quite likely that the worst that will happen is that it will kill the light bulb.

Ooooh! That's a really good idea! *files idea away for future use*

[reynardine.livejournal.com]

"Math is hard! Vampires are hot! Eighteen is OLD!"

And this is why we blog online. Because who would want gems like that buried in a diary where no one would read it for 100 years? ;-D

[erinya.livejournal.com]

This!

[sun-star-n-moon.livejournal.com]

Re: Trailer Tease

I think I just gagged a bit at the line "You know, you're sorta beautiful."

[cleolinda.livejournal.com]

I didn't even bother watching it, honestly.

[fineprnt.livejournal.com]

Aw, Cleo, so sorry you're still in the midst of tribulations. Does Nerd Herd Geek Squad offer installation of products which refuse to work for everyday users?

Also, the frolicking Sparklepire + Barbie made my morning.

[cleolinda.livejournal.com]

I think they'll come over and set it up, yeah. It's just that I would have to do some drastic cleaning in order for them just to reach my desk. I've got boxes piled up all over the room from when I was trying to clean out my closet, and I can barely get to the bed, for that matter.

[mumford519.livejournal.com]

I went to see Twilight in earnest b/c I wanted it to be good. But now I can't wait to see New Moon so I can laugh my ass off again.

Good luck with your computer.

[indeliblesin.livejournal.com]

I just wanted to say that I like your icon. :3

[piccgirl.livejournal.com]

I'm having to do all my internet stuff off of my iPod because my comuter's harddrive decided to go "kablooy" yesterday. Grrrrr. Why us? First your comp(s) die, then my phone and computer die. I agree with your Job theory. It would make sense.

Here's hoping life gets better.

[rinnamarie.livejournal.com]

May I just say, as someone else who is having a shit-tacular few months, that the 'Me bless her' line made me laugh so hard I cried. So thank you for that :)

I'm beginning to think you live in the house that is in the new ABC comedy commercial with Michael Emerson. "Don't apologize to me - apologize to the house."

[cleolinda.livejournal.com]

I'm so sorry about all of that, by the way. I was going to ask, but I felt like such an ass bringing it up, but--whatever happened with the podcast? If it's not done, that's totally cool. I was just afraid it went up and I never heard about it.

[editornia.livejournal.com]

I'm sorry this is happening to you, Cleo. Mostl of all, I'm sorry it's happening TO YOU. I wish there was something I could say or do to help. Sending (((((GOOD VIBES))))) your way.

(I wanted to write something helpful and/or witty, but I'm just too tired.)

Oh, BTW, I lent my dad my copy of your book, he read the entire thing, and he loved it. You've got yet another fan! :)

[cleolinda.livejournal.com]

Aw, yay!

(Random story: my sister's boyfriend picked up the book--there was a copy downstairs on the rec room shelf--and she was like, "That's my sister's book," and he was like, "Whoa, okay, sorry, I'll put it back," and she was like, "No, I mean my sister WROTE IT.")

[edda.livejournal.com]

*hugs*

[shiraz_wine]

According to the Secret Life of Dolls though, Barbies are mute. So does that mean that Barbie!Bella and Ken!Edward are both completely silent? That would be a great improvement over the originals in the books.

[lupegarou.livejournal.com]

THIS.

[dives.livejournal.com]

you can...there's a way to not code HTML by hand? I...I feel like such an old fogey, I've just been doing it by hand for like 9 years! In fact that italicizing just there, I did that myself! I never even thought of doing it another way.

Wow. I clearly do not have an innovator's mind.

Anyway, I know what you mean about typing v. writing. One of my friends, who is my age, handwrites the first draft of all his essays-- regardless of length-- because, he says, it helps him organize his thoughts much more easily than typing does. Me, I find typing's inherently ephemeral nature means I don't get hung up in the actual act of writing things down, if that makes sense. Like, handwriting a story, for some reason, makes me feel like I have to be writing The Final Clean Draft, This Is Handwritten, on Paper With A Pen, These Things Cost Money. But if I'm typing I can write as much crap as I please, because it's so easily deleted, and not get hung up on that.

I could never manage to write a typed diary for those exact reasons-- usually things I wrote down in said diary were fairly personal (o rly, dives, you write personal things in a diary), and so quite important-- to me at least.

Sorry to hear you've been having so much trouble with the computer/various appliances/etc. I dunno what it is, but it seems to be shaping up as a rough year for some reason.

[queenthesixth.livejournal.com]

I used to do the same with my essays in college. For some reason, writing something down used to help the ideas flow better and then there'd come a point where I'd be ready to just get it done and over with and I'd start typing it furiously. I graduated college in 1996, just when the PC revolution was starting and they were getting more affordable so in college I used my electronic typewriter. I don't miss having to replace the ribbons and the corrective ribbon though. That was always annoying.

[xerinmichellex.livejournal.com]

I agree, Twilight shenanigans always make the world go 'round. Your Barbie line cracked me up. It's nice to see you've still got your sense of humor with all that's gone on.

[raberbagirl.livejournal.com]

How about typing your diary, but saving it on a flash drive instead of on your hard drive or online?

[queenthesixth.livejournal.com]

We use the same diary. I found them first on the New York Public Libary website but thankfully they sell them here now. I'm a complete snob when it comes to my personal diary so I always like something with a classy cover.
I think that journal makes my thoughts seem more refined and elegant, even when it is page after page of how everybody is an idiot, except me, and filled with swear words.

[cleolinda.livejournal.com]

Same here, except I also bitch about people on the internets and throw in the occasional "wtf" or "omfg." Posterity is going to think so highly of my writing skills.

[flossiepots.livejournal.com]

omg doctor who! please bbc, let us have them?
and twilight is getting worse and worse everytime i read about it.

[amaya-kumiko.livejournal.com]

Me bless her

I am on the floor dying at this. DYING.

[kuchiutsushi.livejournal.com]

As someone who just went through the process of getting a new computer and struggling with her dad all morning as he grew more and more agitated waiting for the internet installation man to arrive, among the other difficulties that go along with this whole process, I feel your pain, and I hope you're back to your usual computer activities soon. <3

[elbales]

Yeah, the extension cord thing... err. I wouldn't, actually. Use a lamp or a hair dryer or something portable. Extension cords are actually less robust than you might think. Also the farther the electricity has to flow through copper wire, the more resistance you get, which is Bad for Computers, You Betcha. It's best to plug things straight into the wall, too, not the power strip, which after two power outages in five minutes probably needs to go to the Great E-Waste Recycling Bin in the Sky.

BTW, does George, he of BLOCKS OF WOOOOOOOOD fame, have a voltage testing thingy, which OMG I cannot believe I can't recall the correct name of WTF? I think there are testers you can plug into outlets. But I am so not an electrician, so here is your crate of salt to go with my advice.

Either way, I hope things go more smoothly for you from now on.


ETA: I love PaperBlanks journals. Like, looooove.

[sevenmarie.livejournal.com]

omg!! you should never plug a computer directly into the wall! always use a surge protector!!!

ESP. since she has power outages all the time where she lives.

[edibility.livejournal.com]

I feel you about not having a computer. Mine was stolen about a month and a half ago, and waiting the three long weeks for the new one to come was brutal.

If Camille 1.whatever needs to be exchanged again, why not ask them to set it up in the Best Buy? Have them drag it into the back room, plug it into the wall and make sure it works before you have to schlep it home and back. This way you have alternates right there in the store and the whole Geek Squad on hand when it inevitably happens again if anything were to happen.

[cherrysakura5.livejournal.com]

I feel the same way about writing in a diary, the typing. I used to write in a book but always get turned off by the paper and pen (no spell check). I like to type even though I type slow I can hear and feel that I'm actually doing something.
I also keep my more private diary entries on my computer (Word documents too) and the more happy entries on my Xanga blog. I have no idea why I chose Xanga or LJ but I guess it's because Xanga was the first blog account I'd set up.

New Moon tiny trailer - Bella looks like a red head in this move than a brunette.

[summersdaughter.livejournal.com]

Oooooh paper journals. *covets*

I am very sorry to hear about all the ridiculousness going on with your computer. Perhaps naming it after a consumptive heroine who dies at the end of the book wasn't a good idea? Kidding!

[galwaygirl08.livejournal.com]

Oh man - I'm go glad I took a moment from frantically planning other people's weddings to check in on you and Camille 1.2.

Your conversations with God are hilarious! The parts about Job and 'Me bless her' had me laughing hysterically. Ditto the talking Barbie!Bella.

Nice to see that even in a time of crisis, your powers of humor and snark haven't deserted you. I always feel like, when everything is going to pieces around you, you have to just sit back and laugh or you will lose your fricken mind.

[chines3885.livejournal.com]

I feel like Cleo should start a new series, the Secret Life of God. That would be interesting.

[sunihiroku.livejournal.com]

:O I DESPERATELY NEED A JANE EYRE DIARY.

[mugglemomof2.livejournal.com]

somewhere, a mischievous God is like, "Oh, I thought you liked writing about your tribulations. Job kept a whole Book, you know. This is also why I have interesting things happen to the people around you. Like your mother, Me bless her."
So glad to see you can keep your sense of humor. Priceless
I do so hope that you get your computer set-up! I have no words of wisdom as I am computer illiterate. Good luck!