Computer Crash (bitter sweet)

Here's another timed post entry -- it's the only way I'm going to guarantee to not put way too much time into these things... Five minutes; ready, go!

So, about three weeks ago (maybe four by now), I got up to do some email, drink some coffee and waste time on Facebook. After trying to access Internet Explorer, I got the dreaded "Blue Screen of Death!"

This is the one that looks as if Microsoft's technology has suddenly jumped backwards fifteen years into MS-DOS. And the message? That basically, you are screwed.

So, knowing people personally who work on computers has turned out to be a really good thing. My friend Brandon took a look at my computer and called me about three hours later:

Me: What's the damage?

Brandon: The good news or the bad news?

Me: The bad...

Brandon: Your computer can't be brought back to life, you are going to need to buy a new one.

Me: Geez... What's the good news???

Brandon: I didn't lose any of your files off of your computer. I had 100% recovery on your hard drive.

Now, that is good news, because every picture of our children is on that hard drive and all of my music is there and all of my compositions and Sibelius Scores... It could have been messy if it was all missing. But alas, Brandon did a miracle on my hard drive. So, the remains of my computer is the external hard drive case he sold me that holds the "brain in a glass jar" of what was once my old computer.

Why is this bitter sweet? Because, tomorrow I am ordering my first Mac. I am officially done with Microsoft and with Dell. I am very excited about getting my first over-sized screen with my new iMac!

And... ding. That's time.

Warning: full-on political post!

I am giving myself five minutes to write this blog.

Ready to time me? (yep, I know it doesn't work that way)

Here.

I.

Go:

We are hosting a drumline contest at the school on Saturday. We have some really fine drumlines participating, but there are not as many drumlines participating as I would like. I'm still trying to figure this one out. It's a good contest that is hopefully not a "scary" environment for an inexperienced drumline... I just don't know.

The election is really ramping up. The debate last night was a real snooze-fest. Geez, I thought I would fall asleep when either guy would talk. And let's be honest, I've got my guy picked out already, the sign is literally in the yard and I thought he was just as boring as the other guy.

Which really just opens another wound: Sarah Palin. Here: I'm going to say it.

I like her.

I think the Saturday Night Live spoofs are hilarious (and pretty much dead on), but that doesn't bother me.

Here's the problem we have as a nation with someone like Sarah Palin (and why it causes such a problem when you are trying to pick two people to run for president): she's really down to earth. The problem with that, is the appeal of her being so down to earth, is the reason half the country hates her.

I like her because I could imagine that what she lacks in experience she would make up in good ol' determination. I truly think her heart is in the right place.

But this is why the other half of the country can't stand her. They want someone slick and polished and someone not like them. But the fact of the matter is that normal people don't end up running for president, only career politicians do.

Barack Obama? Career politician. Seriously, this guy has been in a national office for something like 143 days before he started his presidential campaign... The only other person with that kind of experience to ambition ratio is... well, Hillary Clinton.

John McCain? He's been in the Senate since I was in diapers. And not disposable diapers, mind you: straight-up late 70's, early 80's cloth diapers. This guys has been waiting for his chance at the presidency for a long time. When it didn't happen in 2000, couldn't you just imagine the GOP backroom pulling him aside and saying, "hey John, it's your turn next time."

The more I follow politics, the more I'm convinced this sort of "inside machine" thing is taking place, turning all of the wheels, telling the public what to think and basically how to vote.

DING! There's the timer. No time to proofread. But who are we kidding, no one reads this blog anyways. It's just a catharsis. A catharsis about the guy who's sign is in my yard who still bores me and appears only slightly less ingenuous than the other guy.