Technological Nightmare

Oh where has the time gone, it seems like just a month ago I was getting off the plane from Paris in Aberdeen - oh wait, that was a month ago.

I have had some bad technology mojo going on since that time, so I have used this as a sign to take a break.  You see the blog can be a bit of a pain in the neck - sometimes I do not have anything interesting to say and sometimes I just can't be bothered.  So although I have had some troubles - I just couldn't be bothered.

The first thing that happened was I left my ipad on the plane from Paris.  I noticed this right away - like the minute I got to the hotel.  I immediately called the airport because I knew the plane was still on the ground, but they would not help me and insisted I contact AirFrance.  

Aberdeen Airport Sucks!

So I immediately contacted AirFrance, and they said they could would not call the Aberdeen Airport, and I must submit a claim through e-mail or fax.  As I was talking to the guy, he really was implying that this was a pointless endeavor.  So I called him on this, and he was quite wishy-washy and admitted that there was really nothing they could would do.  So I submitted my claim 3 times and got a reply back almost immediately...in French.

AirFrance Sucks!

You see for the first time ever, I had downloaded - and erased from my cameras - all of my vacations pics.  I was really pleased with myself as I really hate the downloading and editing part at the end of a trip.  This was all great on the basic theory that you don't leave your ipad on the plane.

Have I mentioned that Aberdeen Airport and AirFrance Suck?

I have discussed this with many people and everyone has a theory.  My theory is that it is very unlikely that someone took my ipad home, and instead I imagine it sitting in a dank box, Radiers-of-the-Lost-Ark style in some warehouse.

After collecting my puppies, who seemed to have survived the kennel, I drove up the road - obsessing about my loss.  So I unpacked and went straight to my fabulous iMac and ordered a mini ipad.  This soothed my savaged heart for about the 15 minutes my iMac continued to run.  I watched it pop and fizz and disappeared into oblivion.

I don't mind telling you that this caused a bioreaction as I realized that ALL of my photographs were locked up in something that was essentially a desk brick.  

I found a guy in Aviemore that said he would work on the computer; so I took a day off work and drove down and met him at the Big Tesco.  I handed him my computer, which he strapped into the back seat and he drove away - I felt sick.

Meanwhile, I loaded my mini ipad with my previous itunes purchases, which made it more like my lost familiar friend. This was pretty easy and certainly took the edge off.

iTunes is does not suck!

After a couple of weeks, the guy in Aviemore said he'd fixed the computer and that it had been running for 3 days straight without incident.  He said it had overheated, and he modified the fan controls.  

We made a plan to exchange the computer in the Tesco carpark, and I was on my way.  I had stopped to buy an external hard drive to back-up the computer.  

I very happily set it up and read the instructions on the hard drive.  As I was trying to complete the set up, the computer died.  Hmmph, it was only 11 in the morning, but I went and had a drink - my poor liver.

I considered what I knew and did not know and decided to regroup after Gill's visit.  And that is exactly what I did...