the problem with windows

the problem with windows (the operating system, not the holes in the wall that allow light in) is that it is visually based. granted, humans are visual animals and, typically, this is not a problem when it comes to using a computer, specifically my handy, dandy, trust gateway laptop (aka homi bhabha) that I have had for 5.5 years. last night though, the visual thing kind of kicked me in the pants...er, skirt, rather.

while the hard drive is still functioning, the screen, though it illuminates, is most definitely not. it's either illuminated black with a sliver of white at the top or half black/half grey (vertically striped, of course) and once changed to half black/half pink.

now, I realize that there are more pressing things in my life and that this is insignificant. but lately, I have had a couple of technical issues (damn reliance on technology) and am feeling all of the good work productivity karma slip away. I accomplished so much yesterday! while laying awake at 6am (I know, I'm all of the sudden I'm a morningesque person), I tried to troubleshoot the problem. I got the bright idea to try and pull the document that I started yesterday off of the computer, using the run command to get into the file. I went through all of this and realized, ah yes, I can't transfer the file to a disk because after the shortcut key for 'save as,' the selection process is visual. ack!

so here I am, at gsmiths, attempting to get into the work groove again; finish the genocide paper early this afternoon and then move onto the paper that I was writing yesterday. I have emailed a local computer guy with hopes that he can fix ol' homi, but am trying to face the reality that I will have to spend the next month locked in goldsmiths to write anything. but, during my slow morning jog that I thought would help ease my repressed anxiety, I thought of writing my dissertation this summer, which led me to thinking if I can afford to buy a new computer ahead of schedule, which led me to thinking of money. yes, slippery slope thinking.

now, with less than a month to write three more papers, I am going to try and right this ship (god, what an awful cliche phrase) and get back on course. (another bad cliche) this may require severe doses of coffee and chocolate, neither which are allowed in the library. brillant. if anyone has any advice or even words of encouragement, I could definitely use them right now. (and yes, soon I will not be so dramatic about this. I just need to be right now.) oy, technology.