Friday, September 22, 2006

Power Surge

Just when I thought all these little annoying PC problems had reached their peak, one more was piled on top. On a cool, sunny, perfect Wednesday afternoon, 10th September 2006 at 1:00 while I was chasing the shark (vacuum) around the house, I heard a distinctive POP! I had no idea what the girls (cats) were up to now but had no time to investigate. Company's coming so I had to finish my cleaning. Soon a terrible odor filtered out into the living room. An odor that couldn't be ignored. I adjusted my plan and followed it to the the source, my office.

My PC showed a blank screen that had been lit up just a brief few minutes ago. I crawled under the desk to check the outlet. Yep, you guessed it. A POWER SURGE! My surge protector was burnt out, blackened and stunk something awful! My printer was still on but the PC refused to light up. Oh, man! Everything else in the house seemed OK. Uh, oh. Not so. The TV was blown, but not the rabbit ears. Go figure that one. It always happens to the one that costs a lot more to replace.

A trip to Norlina Computer and Alan reassured me a 24-hour restoration of my PC for less than $100. Another $100 plus, for three new power surge protectors that Radio Shack swears really work. Is there no end? Could be worse, I keep telling myself. Guess I'll be reading more books than watching DVDs for awhile.

Wednesday, September 13, 2006

Easy Astrology Books

Astrology has always fascinated me. It is so accurate in revealing personalities born at certain times of the year and time of day. Your sun sign directs your life path and knowing this in advance can make your life easier. It can also help by diverting you away from individuals who do not interact well with your sign. ‘Tis a pity I didn’t have ‘Sun Signs’ by Linda Goodman published in 1968 when I was younger and could have benefited even more from it. This is a fun book, too, easy to read and nails down the personalities of people in your life.

A more recent book on astrology, published in 2006 in softcover, also easy to understand and very entertaining is ‘Houses’ A Contemporary Guide by Gwyneth Bryan of Bordentown, NJ. She begins with an explanation of house-based astrology, making it simpler for the novice. Coming to know your houses by your birth chart will help you to understand your self and many of the experiences you’ve managed to live through.

Even if you draw a total blank when looking at your astrological chart, you may enjoy reading how the case studies of birth charts that reveal the life paths of Bill Clinton, George W. Bush, Warren Beatty, Martha Stewart, Madonna and other well-known personalities. Saturn is among the planets in the Fourth House of Gloria Steinem. While she lived a troubled childhood caring for her severely depressed mother, a seed was also planted to help other women in stressful situations. Losing herself in books she eventually became a leader for women, guiding them through her leadership position in Ms magazine. Her chart is on page 14.

Just Google ‘free astrological chart’ to find a few locations online to print out your chart. Or read these two books first for pure enjoyment. Remember to read the Foreword and Introductions in both. Enjoy.

Tuesday, September 05, 2006

Learning New Stuff

Learning new things is good for us. It keeps our minds working, sharpening mental skills at all ages. New goals in learning keep our zest for living active. Learning something new enhances our overall sense of well-being. Except when it comes to learning new programs on the PC.

This new camera-to-computer is more than challenging; it’s maddening, frustrating and infuriating! The instructions that pop up on the monitor may seem to be written in English but they are as confusing as if they were written in Greek. I keep trying to tell the PC what I want it to do, the PC keeps telling me what it is going to do and that I lack something they need me to do. But I can’t figure out how to do what it wants me to do!

Eventually I’ll learn this process, too. Then I will realize that the new camera is a much better process than the old way. And easier. But getting there is another matter. In the meantime, enjoy.