Jericho: Mac Zap
*Sigh.*
So, Friday morning, 4 AM, our power went out. It probably flickered on two or three times, then went out. This is normal. We lose power around here two or three times a year for more than a few hours. Power pops off now and then and then pops back on. The wiring in this house flutters - leaving a light on in the house means the bulb will be burnt out in less than two weeks. None of this is, well, shocking ...
Since the fan and AC were out, there was no white noise in the bedroom. Sleep was tough from that point on. Finally, we got up and went to the gym. Just for showers, mind you. Our hot water heater is electric. So, by the time we got to work, it had already been a long day. Between Noon and Five I managed to get myself sent to our Denver office from Monday to Thursday. Work just happens like that now and then.
When we arrived home, power was back on, but it had only been on for about three hours. Nothing unusual there, either. I went off to change clothes and Steph went to check something on the computer. She called out a minute later, the Mac wasn't coming on.
I came out and pressed the buttons. I pressed the buttons. I pressed the buttons. No Mac.
I experimented further. I unplugged the Mac and let it cool off. When I plugged it back in, as soon as I plugged it in, the power supply fan turned on. An LED on the mother board came on, too, but nothing beyond that. With the power supply kicking on as soon as there is power, I am assuming that at least the power supply is blown. But, that can lead to lots of other problems.
Before anyone asks, yes, the computer was on a surge protector. However, with all the surges we have had, I guess it failed. It was bound to happen. Hind sight it 20/20. The worst part is that all my graphics tools, web page tools and other creative stuff were on that machine. I wanted to make some changes to BlogBallyhoo this weekend. Since I will be out for most of next week, and then the following week, I'll be in Vancouver for some training, I guess that won't happen now.
We're going to take the Mac to the experts after Vancouver. We'll see what's wrong and if it's worth repairing. With a Mac Mini coming in between $500 and $700, and with having a (hopefully) working monitor, we won't put too much money into repairing this machine. Not that we have any money to invest in this, but if I'm going to be broke, I might as well have a nice computer!
RIP Ferd ~ 01/01 to 10/05
So, Friday morning, 4 AM, our power went out. It probably flickered on two or three times, then went out. This is normal. We lose power around here two or three times a year for more than a few hours. Power pops off now and then and then pops back on. The wiring in this house flutters - leaving a light on in the house means the bulb will be burnt out in less than two weeks. None of this is, well, shocking ...
Since the fan and AC were out, there was no white noise in the bedroom. Sleep was tough from that point on. Finally, we got up and went to the gym. Just for showers, mind you. Our hot water heater is electric. So, by the time we got to work, it had already been a long day. Between Noon and Five I managed to get myself sent to our Denver office from Monday to Thursday. Work just happens like that now and then.
When we arrived home, power was back on, but it had only been on for about three hours. Nothing unusual there, either. I went off to change clothes and Steph went to check something on the computer. She called out a minute later, the Mac wasn't coming on.
I came out and pressed the buttons. I pressed the buttons. I pressed the buttons. No Mac.
I experimented further. I unplugged the Mac and let it cool off. When I plugged it back in, as soon as I plugged it in, the power supply fan turned on. An LED on the mother board came on, too, but nothing beyond that. With the power supply kicking on as soon as there is power, I am assuming that at least the power supply is blown. But, that can lead to lots of other problems.
Before anyone asks, yes, the computer was on a surge protector. However, with all the surges we have had, I guess it failed. It was bound to happen. Hind sight it 20/20. The worst part is that all my graphics tools, web page tools and other creative stuff were on that machine. I wanted to make some changes to BlogBallyhoo this weekend. Since I will be out for most of next week, and then the following week, I'll be in Vancouver for some training, I guess that won't happen now.
We're going to take the Mac to the experts after Vancouver. We'll see what's wrong and if it's worth repairing. With a Mac Mini coming in between $500 and $700, and with having a (hopefully) working monitor, we won't put too much money into repairing this machine. Not that we have any money to invest in this, but if I'm going to be broke, I might as well have a nice computer!
RIP Ferd ~ 01/01 to 10/05
posted by Jericho Brown at 10/09/2005 11:04:00 AM
6 Comments:
Damn. That has to suck.
What? It sucks that he gets to go to Denver AND Vancouver within two months?
Yeah, it does suck about the computer, though. Hope you get it fixed soon.
Oh, it's Vancouver WA, not the one in Canada. It's close to Portland - that's about all you can say about it.
Either way, you get to go on paid trips. Even if you only get to see one site while you're there, it's worth it.
If all you are seeing is a hotel room and the office, you aren't getting paid to travel. You are getting paid to do the same shit in a less convenient way away from all your toys.
In a way, you are both correct.
Living in a hotel room, late nights and early mornings in the office, hoping to the gods that the install works and only having half my tools and resources sucks. When it's done, there is usually a sense of accomplishment, and several days of recovery, but it still sucks.
Now, on the plus side, I tend to travel like a king. Yeah, I only get coach air fare, but I usually plan an entire day just for travel, each way. I get 8 hours of pay for sitting around reading a book. Then, the hotel rooms are ALWAYS nice. This time I have two beds. I don't know why I have two beds, but I do. Great showers, excellent food (!!!) and a comfy bed. Usually, I put in several more hours on these installs, so I later get a fat pay check, dripping with over time. I have had checks where I worked 70 to 80 hours in one week. That's a lot of over time!
I wish I had the chance to do more touristy stuff on these trips, but it's okay. My last trip to Chicago was the most "me" time I've had on a trip for the company. I got to go to a wedding, see Max and Laura and my Mom and Pop. That was pretty cool.
The Vancouver trip has been cancelled. However, that may become a trip to Philly at a later date - we'll see.
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