Anyone who’s talked to either myself or my husband knows that we’re really annoyed this weekend. It isn’t at tourists coming into our beautiful city and getting two drunk on one of the two scenic rivers here. It isn’t our precious baby who’s smile melts us into itty bitty pieces every time he gives us a big smile or a coo. It isn’t even the weather, even though this is the worst humidity we’ve ever seen in this town (or so my husband says, I have only been outside to turn the pool pump on this this morning).
It’s because my computer shit the bed. For something I didn’t even do. Enter the most hated term in our household this weekend: The Creators Update.
A, for some reason, major and critical update, that has rendered my computer into nothing more than an elaborate, custom built kingdom that just had it’s iron gates locked, the drawbridge in and ever repeating a welcome screen; with the login screen just out of reach. My husband and I, metaphorically, on our white horses with our iron shields of hardware experience and yielding our broadswords of code knowledge have been locked out of the kingdom. I’m even reduced to, gasp, asking Microsoft for help (which we hate doing).
We’ve been fighting this battle since Friday morning. My husband mentioned, last night, that he was impressed I’ve kept at it this long. I rewarded him by sending him out after breakfast this morning for a bottom-of-the-line keyboard because the stupid advanced settings in this new fangled Window repair toolset won’t recognize the gaming keyboard I’m using on certain command screens. ANNOYING.
The thing is, I just can’t let this computer go. This is my livelihood. I can’t just take a break and think about what computer to buy next, because this is how I work for my clients. I’m almost at the point of just saying “to hell with it” and just reinstalling Windows – but – not after spending some time using the command prompts and /O/X/E/H/K inputs (yo hit me up if your computer shits the bed like mine and you need some document retrieval) copying everything on my desktop and documents folder. I’m really not bothered, because I have a system of hard drives and external drives that I keep my client work, photos, and previous computer folders on. The reality is this is going to happen sooner or later, and the best way to combat a computer crapping out on you is to start the very day you start putting things on that computer.
Here’s my advice that I learned from taking coding classes, managing a computer lab at Texas State, and having to reformat a shitty computer each and every semester of my undergrad career because my computer was just that bad:
- Your computer is going to age faster than dog years, just like your phone is eventually going to be replaced. I know when you unbox this metal and matte painted beauty that it’s going to change your life. Your work will be better, your online comments funnier, your audience expanded – this is just going to make your world better. But just know, like everything else in this world – you’ll need to move on to better built and more streamlined electronics. This is a toolbox for your tools, and someday soon you’ll have to move your important tools to a better toolbox.
- NEVER keep all of your photos in one location. Seriously, storage is SO CHEAP nowadays, you’re really doing yourself a disservice if you aren’t backing up everything. I remember in college that I had to throw down for a zip drive one semester, and the next I had to buy a flash drive. I had to buy a $70 flash drive that only had 512 mb of space. I stood in Officemax and cried. I couldn’t afford a $70 flash drive, and it seemed like the method of digital storage was still going to be changing each and every semester from then on out. Thankfully, it didn’t, and flash drives are still around. And external drives. And all sorts of revolutionary storage methods that have made the price of digital storage drop through the floor. Get two external drives, and commit one to photos. Break them down by year, and then by either month or event/subject. You will never regret taking the extra step to secure your photos are safe and accessible.
- For smaller projects, use the cloud. The cloud means many things, but I’ll let you in on a little secret. The only thing “the cloud” means is SOMEONE ELSE’S COMPUTER. That’s right. Someone else is watching your shit while you pay them the privilege to put stuff on their server, drive, whatever they have. What I mean by that is, look a the cost vs the convenience. For example; paying $5 to Recipe Keeper to house all of my recipes on their servers and that I can access on my phone, tablet, and computer is a freaking BARGAIN. Paying some big company $50 a month to store half a gig of documents is not.
- These times can be great for reflection on your digital management practices. I’ve been realizing for awhile that moving on from Adobe Creative Suite (on CD) (That’s like 6 or 7 years old) (and still like $2,500) to the Creative Cloud ($50 a month) is probably the right decision for me at this point in my business. I wasn’t too sure about it until I asked some creative and freelancing groups I’m in on facebook. If you aren’t sure, ask. Ask around. Given the many, many many options out there for software, apps, and more, you’re bound to get a reference on a life changing software that will streamline your processes and make your life even better than that shiny new laptop or computer or tablet.
And some time yesterday, I needed a break from the computer. And I made cookies. And they are legit the bomb softest chocolate chip cookies you’ll ever eat. AND they are better the longer they sit for (right out of the oven they crumble).
Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookies
| Course: Dessert Categories: Cookie Source: http://kelseysappleaday.blogspot.com/2011/08/best-ever-chewy-chocolate-chip-cookies.htmlServing size: Preparation time: Cooking time: |
Ingredients
3/4 c. unsalted butter, softened
3/4 c. brown sugar
1/4 c. granulated sugar
1 egg
2 tsp. vanilla extract
2 c. all purpose flour
2 tsp. cornstarch
1 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. salt
1 c. bittersweet chocolate chips
Directions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.2. In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, cream together butter and sugars until fluffy and light in color. Add egg and vanilla and blend in.3. Mix in flour, cornstarch, baking soda and salt. Stir in chocolate chunks.4. Using a standard-sized cookie scoop or tablespoon, drop dough onto a prepared baking sheet. Bake for 8-10 minutes, until barely golden brown around the edges. (The tops will not brown, but do NOT cook longer than ten minutes.)
5. Let cool, on the sheet, on a wire rack for five minutes. Remove from baking sheet and let cool completely. Makes approximately 3 dozen. Try not to eat them all.
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Sent from Mail for Windows 10
