It’s a sad day, my friends. My beloved netbook is no longer with us.
The end came suddenly, and she was in good spirits last time I used her. I don’t think she suffered. One minute she seemed fine, the next she was still fine, but not charging.
I took her to the best help I could find, and they presented me with a tough choice: spend the money to fix her, or get my data transferred over to a “like new” refurbished computer for less, and more quickly.
If I’d had the money, I’d have spent it to save her, even if it cost a lot more.
Seriously.
I know it’s stupid. One computer should be pretty much the same as any other. The new one’s the same brand (make, not model). But I get terribly attached to inanimate objects.
We’ve been through a lot together. I wrote a novel on that computer. And re-wrote it. Repeatedly. And drafted another one. Then there were the blog posts, the evenings spent going back and forth between Scrivener and Facebook… We had many days together in car dealerships waiting for repairs and oil changes, and she never complained about being bored. She was with me when I discovered the library in Gander, and though she wasn’t around for my first NaNoWriMo, she was with me through two wins (if you count camp) and one fail. I mean, loss. I mean… Attempt? Whatever.
She was the first computer that was ever MINE, and she made it possible for me to actually find time to write.
Also, she was black and shiny, and had wicked leaf and bird decals on the hood. Screen back? Again, whatever.
The new one will be fine. Sure, it’s a little different; it’s red, and the power button’s not the same. But it works, and that’s important… I guess.
I’m going to act like there’s no superstitious feeling connected to the fact that I’ve only had success with this story on that one computer, because that would be silly. Silly like sport-type guys not shaving or changing their socks (who marries these people, anyway?).
Does this post seem especially disjointed to anyone else? I CAN’T DO IT WITHOUT HER! *sob*
Tell me I’m not the only one who forms irrational attachments to inanimate objects, that I’m not the only one who feels like I owe them something after their years of service.* You all do this, right?
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*I place the blame for this squarely on The Velveteen Rabbit. It was loved! It was REAL! I could have saved it instead of letting them use it for parts! So what if it had scarlet fever**?
**May not have actually had scarlet fever.
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EDIT: As requested, my new (to me) computer:
Fancy.
disregard the prologue 
March 7th, 2013 at 8:42 am
Eulogy for a Daughter’s Laptop
You were so precious…creativity’s life-blood
Stories came out in chapters…often in a flood
You kept them safe and they were always there
And then you died…did you even care?
I know you did, for you helped Kathleen write
When you stopped charging, you gave such a fright
What to do? Would all be lost?
Can she get a new notebook? What will be the cost?
But we thank you, dear notebook, for the love you gave
Kathleen held up, and was very brave
We now know her creativity will still be fed
Although unfortunately, her new notebook is….red
As you help others now, with your spare parts that are living
We thank you….for organ donation is the highest form of giving
May whoever gets a part of you inherit Kathleen’s beauty
We say good-bye…and thank you for your loving duty.
Amen
March 7th, 2013 at 8:45 am
I really can’t tell who has the best sense of humor here – Kathleen or her mom 🙂 either way, I love this blog!!
March 7th, 2013 at 9:31 am
Aww, inspiring. I need to tell my pooter I love him. (He’s scared as there is a big update coming. He’s not used to getting updated.)
March 7th, 2013 at 9:32 am
If he’s scared, maybe plan to do something nice together after. Work on your book or something. Then he has something nice to think about and look forward to during the update!
March 7th, 2013 at 10:14 am
I feel your pain! I too get emotionally attached to inanimate objects. I’ve had my pooter since I was a freshman in college. We got off to a rough start; he was kinda glitchy in the beginning. But it’s been smooth sailing ever since! He has a green top and is bedazzled with stickers I’ve collected.
I’m very sorry for your loss. 🙂
March 7th, 2013 at 10:20 am
Thanks. I think the new one will work out just fine- I picked it up yesterday and put some nifty glittery stickers on it- they’ll do for now. Haven’t tried writing yet, but it’ll be fine.
Green sounds nice! Glad you two are getting along. 🙂
March 7th, 2013 at 4:11 pm
We still need pics of the new family member Kate!
March 7th, 2013 at 4:44 pm
I have a lime green iMac sitting in the garage because I’ve had a hard time letting it go. I always mean to sell it, but I never get around to it. I don’t know, there’s just something about the first computer you’ve owned. I wrote several novels on that old boy. ;_; I get how you feel.
March 7th, 2013 at 4:46 pm
I’m so glad it’s not just me!