New Computer
July 23, 2009
Or at least I hope to have a new computer soon. My computer has been slowly failing and exhibiting various hardware difficulties. I have been slowly losing sectors on the hard disk. Last week, lost the master boot record and had all sorts of issues even getting it to come back up. When I finally did get it working again, pretty much nothing worked on the system except for access to my data, which is good though I had a recent backup.
So I broke down and ordered a new computer. I was trying to limp through to the beginning of the year before getting a new one (its been 3 1/2 years since I bought the computer). I really need to update all four desktops in the house.
I did some research, decided what I wanted and order my new computer. Since I was stuck using Suzanne’s computer (she has the laptop with her on vacation) which was not configured for the work I do, I had to spend some time doing that. Also, her computer is actually worse than my computer was as far as performance. So, I put a rush on the computer build and had it overnighted.
That was Friday and I still don’t have my new computer. Unfortunately, since I ordered it on a Friday, I knew it wouldn’t ship until Monday which it did via FedEx, another unfortunate issue. FedEx offers a shipping method where the shipper requires a direct signature witnessed by the driver for a package. The computer company used this shipping method. FedEx doesn’t allow a signature on file, like UPS and others, for this method. So, of course, the drive dutifully shows up every day to make the delivery but no one is home since I am at work and Suzanne is on the road.
What is most aggravating is FedEx leaves this stupid note telling me that since I wasn’t home I could pick up my package at the station. Nice, but they say I can pick it up between 4:25 and 4:30 pm at their station. WTF???? Nice customer service and support there. 
Its also very problematic since their station is 90 minutes from where I work. That would be a hell of a trick to arrange to get there in that absurdly small window early in the afternoon. They do have a couple of hours on Saturday that I can pick it up. But, I have been trying to get them to hold the shipment because after three delivery attempts they return it to the shipper. So far, the hold request hasn’t worked. Today will be delivery attempt three if the try to bring it out again. Hopefully, the second hold request will work.
Of course, some of this is exacerbated by us living out in the country, but its SO much easier when a shipper uses UPS rather than FedEx. They certainly have more friendly customer support options when things get difficult.
So much for the extra money I spent to get my computer here sooner… Oh, and I have ordered Suzanne a new computer too since it has been a very frustrating week yelling at a computer monitor waiting for the computer to do something – anything!
Bachelor Time – Sort Of…
July 17, 2009
It’s that time of the year again – Bachelorhood! The time when Suzanne and the kids make the Summer trek back to Dallas to visit with her family. Well, sort of anyways. Yes, she left this morning for her trek, but unfortunately, I am so buried in work, I am not sure how much of my time alone I will get to enjoy.
I was assigned a major project a couple of weeks ago and need to bring it in by the end of August. This means many long nights and weekend. Already, I can’t remember the last day I had off from work or when I last got home before 8:00 at night. Luckily, these times don’t happen too often.
The other day, Suzanne commented that at least it was good timing and that my heavy workload was happening while she and the kids would be away. Without thinking, I promptly replied that it was horrible timing. I was going to miss my alone time because of work. That didn’t sit too well with her.
Now, I wouldn’t want it often or all the time, but a week or two a year with no one to answer to but myself? That’s pretty nice! Alas, it will be mostly spent at work this year.
In fact, next weekend, I am supposed to join her and the kids for a week on the beach in Alabama. Right now, I am not sure I can get away from work to get down them and meet them. I have a major review with the VPs the following Monday. Its a family reunion for her family with something like 40 relatives coming together in a huge 12 or 14 bedroom house. It should be fun if I can figure out a way to get away from work. I have a frequent flier ticket from Delta so I am going to research options for perhaps changing my ticket and returning on Tuesday or Wednesday if possible so I can at least get there for a bit. Whether I can do the whole week, part of the week or none of it will be determined by how much the my team and I can get done this weekend and early next week.
Anyways, back to my bachelor time! At least until I head off to work tomorrow…
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