A Gold Star For Me!

I've been attempting to set up my brand-spankin' new wireless printer for days. Well, to be honest, I've been so busy this week, I've been working at it kinda hit-and-miss for days. The power outage on Sunday put the kibosh to my efforts until I had time to take a look at it again this afternoon.

It seemed like I had a networking conflict of some kind but couldn't track down the source. I checked and re-checked my firewall and anti-virus settings, un-installed and re-installed the printer software—everything I could think of to get to the bottom of the problem—with no luck whatsoever. Out of desperation, I was just about to call the local PC Doc to ask him to make a house call.

I know. I know. We're talking BIG $$$!

Then this morning at work I was chewing over the issue in my mind, when I suddenly remembered a little spybot program that the PC Doc installed on my computer recently. It runs quietly in the background blocking unauthorized processes. In fact, it runs so quietly, I'd completely forgotten about it.

BINGO!

When I got home I disabled the program, restarted my printer connection, and I was in business!

So today I get a gold star for saving myself the bundle of cash I would have paid the PC Doc to fix a buggaboo he put on my machine.

I'm sooooo pleased with me right now! :)

— Gee Vee

Off the Grid

Yesterday was a picture-perfect spring day. The crab apples are in blossom, the industrious little tent worms were very busy devouring their tender buds, and the black flies were out in force. So, imagine my consternation when, after running errands all morning, I found myself stuck working in the office during the afternoon.

I'd been over an hour trying to resolve a networking conflict between a brand new wireless printer and my computer. I had sat through a substantial wait on the phone to talk to tech support, was just about to walk through some troubleshooting efforts with him when my call was dropped; the printer, router and computer went offline; and the office went dark. The power had suddenly, inexplicably, gone out.

Because I'd been having so much fun pulling my hair out over the darn printer, I had completely lost track of the time, but I think it was around 4 PM. Needless to say, I had to turn around and track down the phone number for Consumer's Energy, grab my cell phone (the hands-free phones around the house are useless in a power outage, and I was too lazy to hunt for a corded replacement) and sit on hold... AGAIN.

All of this on a beautiful spring day—not a cloud in the sky.

When I was finally connected to a person, she informed me that they expected the power to be restored by 9:30 PM.

OH, JOY! How to tell my husband that he was going to only miss part of the season finale to Survivor? The good news was that we'd planned to cook out on the grill for supper, so I didn't even have an excuse to go out to eat. What a lucky break.

Even better, I was also fresh out of excuses not to spend the rest of the afternoon at my desk paying bills.

After all that fun, by 9 PM we'd unfortunately exhausted our limited entertainment options. Dan had brought a couple battery-operated lanterns in from the camper and sat morosely missing his show. I decided I might as well head to bed and stare at the ceiling until I fell asleep.

At the stroke of 9:30 the power flickered to life, and I could hear Dan cheering up the stairs to me from his corner of the couch. I turned on the small TV in the bedroom and listened to the NASA channel update on the complex Hubble Space Telescope repairs while I marveled at the everyday minor miracles technology makes possible in our own lives.

Then I slept like a baby—the perfect end to a picture-perfect spring day.

— Gee Vee

Just for the Record...

I have made a genuine effort to refrain from politicizing on this blog—which is no easy task for someone with strong opinions. However, every now and then I'm sure a regular reader can gather from what I've written that I lean (ever-so-slightly!) left of center. However, that should not be construed to imply that I agree with everything the Democrats say or do.

Case in point: Nancy Pelosi. I have to imagine that President Obama just cringes every time that woman opens her mouth or angles herself in front of a camera. I know I cringe every time I stop to consider that she is second in the line of succession to the throne after the Vice President. Now, that's a scary thought! [shudders]

It's one thing to win, but it's a horrible poor sport who gloats. Pelosi practically oooooozes her gloating in a slippery, slimy trail with every step she takes. I'd seriously love to smack that smirky-smirk right off her better-than-thou face.

I'm not going to voice a long-winded opinion on the whole he said/she said controversy over what Congress knew about the torture techniques that were being used under the previous administration; however, I will say that I read the headlines this morning and found myself agreeing on several key points with Newt Gingrich.

Yup, you just saw that in writing: I agree with Newt Gingrich.

If you know me at all, you know how hard it must be for me to admit that... in a bold font no less! Still, I must confess that only yesterday I was thinking many the same things to myself that are his headlines this morning, and it's only fair that I say so.

So there. Don't rub it in too much. Gloating is never attractive.

— Gee Vee

UPS Black Hole Discovered?

It's amazing what you learn when you've entirely too much time on your hands.

I ordered a purse online the other day and have been tracking the UPS shipment across the country (Hey, what can I say? I'm easily entertained!) until it suddenly stalled early yesterday morning in "Hodgkins, IN."



Who knew a bit of idle curiosity and a Google search for "Hodgkins, IN" would reveal a tangled web of mysterious disappearances and a UPS black hole?

Read the comments on this blog. Curious and curiouser! It's also gratifying to know I'm not the only one who takes the time to Google the name of an obscure town.

So far as I know, my package hasn't been delayed by a flood or a train derailment, but I'll anticipate the worst and hope for the best. :)

— Gee Vee

What Do You Think?

Jamie took this photo (left) of Collin over the weekend. The photo on the right was taken of me back in 1965 or '66 (?).



Hmmm... are the eyes a match? Or am I just a senile old granny imagining a resemblance?

— Gee Vee

^^^ This Side UP! ^^^

It's time for me to dash to work. I've a very busy week ahead, but I thought I'd leave you with this youtube video created from an actual complaint to a supermarket customer service call center.



People are crazy.

— Gee Vee

Living The Good Life

I happened to catch this news segment this evening on Dateline. I have to admit, I envy their way of life—even the warm goat's milk looks appealing. I think what is most striking is their lack of STUFF... you know, useless STUFF that clutters the day with chaos, controversy and complications. I also love the fact that their elderly are still a vital, highly valued, essential part of their societal and familial structure. Of course, the brilliant blue Aegean and perfect weather is a definite plus! Herbal tea? Naps? C'mon, why die when you've already discovered heaven on Earth?

Where can I sign up?

— Gee Vee

Moon Illusion Over Paradise Lake

We paused at the public access on the lake last night to admire the moon. It looked HUGE— absolutely beautiful! Although I know you can't capture the moon illusion with a camera, I couldn't resist making an effort.

We're beginning to see signs of summer around the lake. Shutters on the cottages are coming down, stowed away for the season, and backyard bonfires dot the shoreline.



Seems peaceful, serene, doesn't it? Seeing it in the moonlight, you'd never suspect this community's dissension and hard feelings lurking, like the milfoil, just beneath the surface.

Perhaps I've captured the illusion after all.

— Gee Vee

Montage Michigamme

Old Shoes

On hot summer days, the kids and grand kids would chuck their shoes to wade in the river. Grandpa would gather the strays and leave them on the stump for their owners to come along and claim. Now, many years later, they're still waiting.

Pink Flamingo

My brother hates pink flamingos— always has. Although she was just a child at the time and still quite naive, my daughter, Jamie, thought he wouldn't be able to resist her adorable offering when she gave it to him. He promptly constructed a teeny-tiny noose, offered the condemned its last cigarette and hung it by its neck from the log rafters in the cabin until it died. Undaunted, on her next trip up north she and Dan shopped long and hard for two pink flamingo plastic lawn ornaments and planted them in his front yard while he was out of town. I believe they ultimately went before the firing squad.

Toothbrushes

Jamie, yours is still there... waiting. I hope we'll be able to add one for Nick and one for Collin soon. :)

Canada Jay

The Canada Jay is also known as the camp robber bird for a good reason. They love to mooch a handout and are especially fond of Tater Tots.

BTW, remind me to tell you sometime about the bat that pooped on the middle of my forehead while I was dozing in the recliner Friday night. Very funny. Ha. Ha.

— Gee Vee

A Perfect Saturday

Spring on the Michigamme. The river's up, swollen with winter's run-off, but the cabin's high 'n dry.



Isn't it amazing what you can do with a cell phone and a notebook computer, even in the middle of nowhere? BTW, we're having pancakes for breakfast this morning. YUMMMM! Have you ever noticed how good breakfast tastes when you're at camp? I'm mean, insanely good. What's with that, anyway?

Well, I'm off to enjoy my day.

TTYL

— Gee Vee

P.S. I'll try to remember to pack a tripod for the camera next time. :)