Computers Again! an LTB

I'm using that same laptop picture because right now, computers are on my negative list and I don't want to take the time to find a new picture. The don't deserve a new picture today.

Computers woes.

That's how my day is starting out. I have a teeny, tiny laptop called an Eee PC and it's only 7" It's great for traveling. I welcomed "Snow White" into my home like a newborn Avocato. But, she's turned on me. Maybe she's going through her cyber teen years, but I'm ready to ground her.

I can't connect to my wireless. That's the main reason I bought Snow White. For email when I travel and of course to talk to all of you in my blog! Up until now, I've had no problem connecting, but all of a sudden, poof. She's stubborn and won't connect.

Raise your hand if you believe in Venus going retrograde and causing havoc with technology!

I'm starting to. So, in order to fix a sick Snow White, I look in the book for support. It only lists a website. How can I go to a website if she won't connect? Grr. So, I go to my PC and head over to said website. It's like Broadway on an opening night. Questions all over the place. Are you registered? Troubleshooting. Search for this. Search for that. Everything but a phone number. So, I click on tech support and have to go through a list of " frequently asked questions." If we solved all our problems on our own like that, what the heck would techies do to earn a living? So, I went right to the "send them a question" even though I wanted/craved a live person. Of course, it's a form to fill out. I did it, and got a non-person response that it was received. Grr again.

Then again, I guess it is better than getting someone in India whom I might not understand. (I got one of those while trying to change an airline reservation yesterday. Instead of going to San Francisco, I may end up in Bali)

So, back to ailing Snow White. She's plugged into her charger now, in hopes that the jolt of electricity might straighten her out. Didn't someone write a book once about leaving technology alone for a day or so and sometimes it will fix itself. That's way to woowoo for me.

Hopefully the techies will answer my question and cure my darling Snow very soon. I hate having car or computer problems!

Lor

Computers--Oh What Wonders! an LTB

I don't know why I always feel the need to clarify the pictures I post for you all, but I do. That's a laptop. I hate my laptop. I can't type on it because I'm used to an ergonomic keyboard that's realy crooked and the laptop's is straight. I'm sure you're thinking, who the heck cares? True. Sorry.

The reason I'm talking about computers is how wonderful they are--or could be. But you have to know your programs inside out or they won't do you any good.

I just got done adding information into a "micro web site" that my publisher is doing for all it's authors. Great idea. But it took me seven point three hours to upload my info. I felt as if I had homework to do.

Then I did another one for an RWA speaker's bureau. Great idea. Anyone could go online and read about the fabulous Lori Avocato and hire her as a speaker (for the right price and lots of chocolate) and she'd fly across country to talk everyone's ears off. I actually love public speaking. A captivated audience. No one listens to me all day. Writing is such a solitary profession that when I do get someone to listen (and often when I speak those folks have paid to attend whatever function it is so they pay attention), I feel like a spider pulling them into my web of talk.

Back to the computers. The moral of this LTB is that you have to take the time to upload all the info into a program that can be very useful for you. Then, once it's done, you have to keep it updated and answer emails that you might get from that source. Now your day is filled up with more communication than you can handle.

So, is the computer really a wonder at all?

Lor-thinking that it may just be more work!

Baby Showers an LTB

Okay. That's admittedly not the cutest baby picture in the world but I'm pushed for time. I have to get my two mile walk in while the clouds are covering the sun. It's so darn hot and the sun is much hotter than years ago. I swear!

So, back to baby. I went to a baby shower yesterday. Hadn't been to one in eighteen years. Hm. What does that say about me? Guess I just don't hang around with a fertile crowd. Then again, most of my friends are knocking on the door of menopause and wishing their kids would move out--permanently.

Well, the shower was fun, BUT the air conditioner in the restaurant broke. HOT! The room that the shower was held in also had sunlights, which let in the sun and much more heat! I felt bad for those running it, but they should have called all of us to tell us to wear shorts, dress cool and bring a fan or two if we had one.

Still, it was fun and great food (which, as you all know, is a major component of any social function in my life) All different kinds of pizzas. My fav was a white pizza with tomatoes and garlic. I was, however, bummed that the cake had whipped cream on top instead of frosting with roses. Damn.

The mom-to-be is going to have twins in Aug. Poor thing. Um, well, I meant since it was so hot. Really! She seemed overwhelmed and maybe because of the heat too, she moved in slow motion. Opening the gifts was fun to see, but rather tortuous--TWO of everything to unwrap while Mr. Sun, Mr. Golden Sun shined down on us--and baked us hotter than the darn pizzas.

It's actually a nice reflection on mankind to see how generous women can be at a baby shower. She didn't even get duplicates of anything other than baby wipes. And Lord knows, she'll need more than duplicates of those handy items.

I wish the happy couple well and hope that two for the price of one turns out to be a good deal for them. I'm still wondering how they are going to get all the gifts in their house!

Have a great day!

Lor

Wish Us All Luck!

That's a rose. A sign of good luck for me. I say novenas to St. Theresa and she sends me a rose sign that my prayers are heard. Well, not just me, but anyone who prays to her. It's not like the local florist delivers a dozen red ones with a note from her in Heaven for me.

So, I just sent my non-fiction proposal of my humorous book, If This is a Slice of Life...I'm on a Diet to my agent just now.

KEEP YOUR FINGERS CROSSED!

But I'm also sending the rose to all of you today so it will bring us all good luck!

Lor

One more day...I promise!

My dears,

I am in a time crunch to finish my humor book proposal. One last read through for last minute changes then off to my agent!

Then I'll be able to get back to my blogging like I should.

So sorry!

Lor

A Lori Note

Hello, my dears

I headed off to the VA for shoulder therapy--and there went my day. I am about to do a conference call with my publisher to set up a website within their site.

I'll give you details to pop over there when it's done.

I only hope it's not too confusing!

I'm excited about writing my humor book and, as a matter of fact, have only to re-read it for the final time before sending the partial to my agent.

Wish me luck, my darlings!

L

Banking Today an LTB

Remember when a trip to the bank was as easy as passing "Go" in the game of Monopoly? Remember, too, when you got 5% interest on a savings account.

I'm here to tell you, those days are long gone. I spent the morning in the bank with my "personal" banker and her sidekick. They ran numbers, accounts, suggestions by my head as I sat there in a dizzy state.

At first I thought it was from the iced coffee I was sipping on, but, no. It was from all their suggestions. What could I say but, "Sure. That sounds like a good idea if I can earn 2% on my money." Two percent!!!!

"Here, sign these papers in all three places," the sidekick said and I complied.

By now the iced coffee had left a ring of dampness on the wooden desk (earlier I'd asked the woman for something to put down first and she said not to worry) and a buzz in my head. So, I signed.

I'll either be a millionaire in the next few months or paying the sidekick's mortgage and kid's education.

There are accounts upon accounts and credit cards with every kind of offer including the kitchen sink. Literally. You can have your kitchen redone at the amazing interest rate of 150% on the dollar. What a deal!

Banking has become so complicated now. I used to love to go with my mom when I was a kid and the most I ever came out of the bank with was a lollipop. But it was cool to watch the tellers stick passbook accounts in the machine that printed noisily to the tune of "Take me out to the ballgame."

Ah, the good old days.

Now we have to decide if we want our investments to be conservative, mildly conservative, aggressive, shark like or throw your money to the wind.

Geez.

Give me the good old days. My banker didn't even give me a lollipop today.

L