What to do when a computer dies.

I used the lap top last night, checked emails and wrote up my blog before turning it off to cook dinner, yep, even we are on holiday some one still needs to cook! After setting it aside and getting up, I asked Warren if he wanted it to check out what there was to do in Warrnambool. Agreeing to do that, I passed it over to him.

He couldn't get it to connect to the internet, it appeared to be stuffed/broken/def not working. We checked our internet device was on, yep that was working, tablet was working off that, still no lap top.

This lap top has been a real work horse, we bought it second hand in China for not much money, it has been back and forth there several times, it has been to work with me so in my off times, I could continue writing my book, it has been used to write six novels (and they were still on it!)been on several camping and caravans trips and never missed a beat. I think we have had it about seven years. Warren tried to reset it and then realised that no wifi was showing up.

He went to the help thingy and it said "Ensure that your internet switch is turned on" what! theres an internet switch!. He turned it upside down and checked all around the edges and sure enough there was a small button. Seven years and we had not known that. We assume that by changing hands, one of us brushed the button and turned it off.

As this one is classed as my laptop, it was a relief to realise that it has not died and thankfully is still going strong as long as it is turned on.

I thought I was going nuts

A few months ago I persuaded Warren that it would be better, easier and cheaper to fly to Melbourne rather than drive. Rob will be 40 soon and we are going down to see them. I booked the flights and answered all the questions while Warren wrote the dates on our big calendar.

Had it in the back of my mind when we were going and have reminded people at work that I wont be in next week. I thought that I should get organised as I remembered the day of going and coming back but not the time so yesterday when I had fifteen or twenty minutes to spare, I decided to call up the documents and familiar myself with the time and work out how to get to the and from the airport etc.

Not in travel documents, not a copy on the notice board, not even under stuff on the board. When in doubt, call the expert. "Warren, I should be able to find our travel stuff in downloads shouldn't I?" Yep, I look again and went into a different part of the computer still nothing. Warren is reading my body language and so he come over and offers to look while I go and watch "The Amazing Race" on TV.

He starts asking questions, such as when did you book? I don't know, you were here, it was ages ago. Next, what airline? I don't know, depends who had the better price. What computer did you use? I don't know probably that one. Did you book under your name or mine? I don't know. By then I was starting to wonder did I really book it or did I just look up flights? No, I'm sure I booked and paid it, didn't I?

He cant find anything so I offer to look through bank details and then ring the airline. I am thinking if they still have seats available and how much, after all, I have the time off work and they know we are coming.

I needed to sit down with a clear head by myself and fix it so lunch time was it but I'll just look at my emails first (I know I am a procrastinator)scrolling down my emails, up comes one from Jetstar and says "Vicki, this time next week you will be in Melbourne" another click of the mouse and there is a copy of our itinerary!

That email saved me a couple hours of work and also convinced me that I am not going nuts just yet. Needless to say I printed out two copies just in case.