9.04.2011

September 3 and 4, 2011

White Dog tapped the hard drive box with her paw and gathered the White Dog Army to surround it with healing energy but it was too late. "Click. Click Click" was all the sad little technobeastie would utter. I wailed my grief and disbelief. It was gone and along with it every bit of my extended consciousness. Well, not every bit...I HAD backed up August 26th! But I am a mere 3-1/2 weeks away from the Puppy up New Mexico Walk for Canine Cancer and those files change constantly as information is updated and new work is added. A week old 2MillionDogs folder would leave me crippled beyond being able to catch up...same with the shortcut folder of shared files that Steve and I use to pass projects quickly back and forth.

I was going to need to do a recovery of those files. YoYoMa lay besides me as I got an online estimate for $500 and 2 weeks to accomplish the task. I gasped and my eyes welled up with tears. It was just not doable--either time or money wise. Steve found a highly recommended place in town open on Saturday (of a holiday weekend, thank you computer gods)! And at 9am White Dog, Quinn, Steve and I were at the computer place hard drive in hand. We didn't even make it to the service desk; the reception desk stopped us with "backlogged...anywhere from 2 days to 2 weeks can't say ahead of time...can't even estimate price.

I held the drive tightly in my hands and cursed technology. I threatened to free my data by using a rock. Steve gently took the box from my hands and Quinn licked me in comfort.

And of course let me remind all this IS a holiday weekend. Steve sent an email from his phone to Josh the IT consultant he worked with when he was still with the large architecture firm. He was calling in some favors to keep me from losing hope. Josh emailed back that he would be in his shop at 8 on TUESDAY and would recover the files and configure the new hard drive for me first thing. White Dog sighed and looked sharply at me when I suggested that Steve email back that it would be better if he could do it over the weekend...Steve gave me the same look and I saved face by pretending that my suggestion had been a joke (it really wasn't).

It was on that slightly hopeful note that we picked up Gregg and Dragon and headed to Santa Fe for a day of promoting the end to cancer Walk on September 25th. The response was great! Shopkeepers gladly agreed to display our poster and many gave us their information with the news that if we contacted them for next year, they would participate as a sponsor or as a vendor. We met a fellow blogger at the Park and got to meet Zoe, her new 6 month old rescue pup who was full of sweetness and sunshine. White Dog met a man who stopped to admire her and talk pups; when we handed him one of our fliers, he revealed that he was the owner of a local radio station and small newspaper. He gave us his card and asked us to call him with more information so that he could promote our Event on the air and in print. It was a tiring afternoon but it more than made up for the frustration of the hard drive.

When we got back home, reality intruded...OK we had a plan but that still left me computer less for the next 3 days. I could not even post today's blog! I could not check my email (I do not have a fancy over-buttoned phone). I felt so disconnected.

Sunday morning I half-woke when Steve returned to bed in the early morning. "Go to the Park?" I mumbled? "Nope, rigged up a computer for you to use until we get your new hard drive!" "I helped," Nuka yipped slamming against my side of the bed like she does when she wants my attention.

That wonderful man who shares my life, and the Army of Eskies had hooked Steve's old laptop to my monitor and keyboard and my external hard drive (where my backup files are). Steve had even duplicated as many of my desktop shortcuts as he could remember. It was slow but a fix I could work with to at least do the essentials like reach out to my community and answer emails. Now if Tuesday morning goes as well...

I am am truly blessed.

13 comments:

24 Paws of Love said...

I hear ya! My husband has had to hide the sledgehammer from me more than once!!

What a great guy you've got there surrounded by the WDA. There's nothing worse than being disconnected. Hope all goes well on Tues. Have a great day until then. Paws Crossed!!

Angels Amber and Max DaWeenie and Mom said...

You just have one terrific guy there! With him and the support of the WDA, nothing else can possibly go wrong. Paws crossed for the hard drive!

The Daily Pip said...

Hoping all goes well on Tuesday. Computer problems are so frustrating!

Your pal, Pip

meowmeowmans said...

Steve and the WDA are awesome! We are sending our very best purrs and prayers for your computer. Hang in there!

D.K. Wall said...

Yikes! Hate when a hard drive goes the Bridge. Amazing how it always picks a time when you have not backed up as often as you should.

rottrover said...

What a guy!! and what an Army!!

Kari in Alaska said...

What a great support system you have :)

Kari
http://dogisgodinreverse.com

Brian's Home Blog said...

I think that is really special and so very thoughtful!

Hansel said...

so glad you have a temporary fix to the problem! and we hope tuesday goes very well!!! :)

Sagira said...

Having computer problems are the worst. I always go into a panic because I do all the Relinquishments for my rescue so getting my email is sometimes a life or death situation and I go into panic mode. I hope that they are able to get you all fixed up tomorrow.

Tweedles -- that's me said...

Gosh,,
We have our paws crossed that tomorrow morning, a mircle comes for your computer.
Hope for a miracle,,, we are!
love
tweedles

nancyturtle said...

Is Steve any good with Propane refregerators? Mine went over the bridge yesterday. Just thought you'd like to know that technology wasn't dumping on you alone.

Random Felines said...

awwww - see, there is always a bright side. :) What great news about the radio guy!!