Booting Up the In-Laws

It finally happened. My in-laws finally got their first computer. And they entrusted me with helping them choose the one that was right for them.

This happened several weeks ago. Took my father-in-law down to the store and showed him several models, including the one I thought would be best for him. I let him play with it a bit, something I think is important as he would be the one who would have to work and live with it for the length of its life. We decided a laptop would be best for them and he seemed to take to the track pad well.

To say that my in-laws are computer illiterate is an understatement. They would be the first to agree. I think my father-in-law has difficulty with most pieces of technology. But that’s okay. He comes to me to explain things as best as I can or, at least, set it all up so that it works.

I felt real good when he asked me to hook him up with the computer. I understood that it was still a large responsibility. Not just that I was placing my still budding rep on the line, but because we do so much on our computers, I could cause some real problems choosing the wrong equipment and setting it up incorrectly. Not to mention the money they put down.

What made me feel even better was when I was talking to the sales rep about what I wanted to set him up with, my father-in-law said that it sounded like we were speaking in a foreign language. He said he was impressed by the fact that I kept pace with the sales guy and in no time we had the computer, router, anti-virus software and a system back-up.

And that wasn’t the end of it! I explained as best I could how to order the broadband connection from his cable company. Then the first weekend I could get down there, I set up his email accounts. Was going to set up some other systems for him, but he had to tear me away so that I could enjoy myself a little.

Still, whenever they have a question or a problem, I’m the one they call. I’ve helped them through a few rough patches and, when I couldn’t, pointed them in the right direction. Maybe there is something to this computer thing for me after all. I really enjoy it. I hope that I’ve been of some help. Maybe they will recommend me to others. I know I’m ready and willing to help when I can. Makes me feel like I have contributed to someone’s education, productivity, and entertainment.

Good-bye Grandmom Mac

Friday was a sad day for members of the McNamara, Phillips, Fetter, Pawolski, Weller and Scerbo families. We lost one of our own.
Lyla McNamara passed away Friday morning. She was a strong and wonderful woman and the matriarch to a close knit clan. She made me feel like a member of the family from the moment I met her.
Lyla never lost her Texas twang. It was distinctive. I can still hear it when I close my eyes. My wife would talk to her on the phone all the time when we were going out. I would sit close by hoping to catch a brief bit of her voice. Something about it just put you at ease.
Unfortunately, that twang was silenced some years ago by a stroke. There are few things as devestating as when Grandmom couldn't communicate with her family any longer. But despite this, she pushed on. She tried her best to communicate her wants and needs and her family stood by her.
I miss her already. Her family misses her. But I know she will live on in our memories, as have so many others we have said good-bye to before. She left a legacy. It's up to us to preserve it.

Little Girl Parties

Wives, never ask your husbands to go pick up your 4 year old daughters from a girls' only birthday party. I had to do just that tonight. The wife was so intent that the little one be picked up by 7PM. When I got there the party was still in full swing! Not a drop of testosterone in the whole house. Plus, most of the kids were sleeping over. And mine was taking her sweet ole time the way a 4 year old will. So there I am, the only guy, in a house full of girls who are running, screaming, eating and barely watching a movie playing on the TV. I stood there with my hands in my pockets. I love my daughter, but I never so much wanted a bunch of beer drinking, chip eating, football lovin' guys' night in my life!

The Chill

It has been so very cold lately. I'm not all too confident that it's the weather. Times are so bad now that the coldness I feel about the uncertainty is going right through me. I'm never sure what will be around the next corner. Used to be that I would relish it, think of it as an adventure. Now I'm just not sure. There never seems to be an up side.

Still Holding Out Hope

Another election and another governor. Didn't like the old one and don't expect I'll like the new one. None of them have ever fulfilled a single campaign promise. One should be a bit lax in this requisite as candidates in any race tend to promise the world during the campaign but are prone to the force and wills of other parties in government that hamper and impede the progress they hope to implement.

The problem that occurs to me is the complete disregard of the entire government to bring us out of this deep economic depression. It's as if no one truly wants the economy to recover. Or could it be that the rich and impressionable don't like the idea of competition?

I still hold hope, though, that a people deserving of a better future, can impose their will some way and make that future come about. I can only give Christie the chance to prove himself. But with so many people making so many broken promises, I am thinking his chances are very few.

The Summer of '09

Seems that another summer season has come and gone. The season is too short. Missing already the opportunity to hang out late, enjoy cookouts and lounge by the beach of the lake. Seems like it will be so long before I get to enjoy those things again.

Already people are wearing long pants and long sleeves complaining about how cold it is. I don't understand how after Labor Day everyone's blood goes thin. They automatically think winter! I want to hold on to summer just a bit longer.

I hopefully will start classes to earn my certificates in computer programming and web design this month. I hope I do well. I may get to have a better job and a better way of life when I'm done. Plus, I'll be doing something I love.

Out of the Frying Pan . . . .

Just when you think it can't get any worse, your temp assignment ends at a place that you love to work. I have a new possiblity lined up, but it's like 50 miles away! This sucks. Maybe I need to get out of the insurance industry. Anyone know of a need for a detective, scientist, computer geek?