Computer magic

Okay, so a long time ago, after I'd purchased my Gateway laptop, Phoebe peed on it. Because she's a menace.  I can laugh about it now (because in hindsight it is pretty damn funny), but at the time? I was very, very sad.

Then, it got fixed. It was great and wonderful, until I became careless with a cup of coffee. I swear, I was so pissed off at myself that I wanted to kick my own ass. Really hard.

The computer wasn't completely worthless, though, just the keyboard was effed up.  I was able to plug in another keyboard and override it, so it wasn't the end of the world, but it sucked.  Donkey balls.  Eventually I stole Marissa's computer, and worked with that for awhile, but her computer is poo.  I mean, it rocks if you're 9 and are visiting the Disney website, but for me?  What with working online and doing actual stuff?  It did not rock.

We called Gateway about the keyboard, and they wanted almost $200 just to look at the computer -- this didn't include work, parts, etc.  So I did some fantastic Google research, and came upon a place that sold a replacement keyboard for $100.  Granted, I was gambling that this was the only issue, but it was cheaper.  And I like cheaper.

When the time came to buy the keyboard I was worried about compatibility, so I did more research, and found an eBay listing for the keyboard I needed for $40.  That was EVEN CHEAPER, and therefore too good to pass up.  It was taunting me to buy it with all its cheapness.  So I did.

The keyboard came, and after another round of Googling some instructions Bryan and I figured out how to take out the old keyboard.  It involved prying at the precious laptop with a screwdriver, so he sat back and let me do all the work.  Which was very smart, because if he had broken something I would've stabbed him with the screwdriver.  In the eyeball.

Taking out the keyboard took two seconds, and dude.  Dude.  It was seriously craptastic up in there.  Spoiled, old, rotten coffee spill.  Gross.  I cleaned it up as much as I dared, and then put the new keyboard in it.

And it worked.  It was magical.

So I am more than just a little impressed with my damn self, and totally thrilled that it cost me $40.  With my brand new keyboard and my awesome Googling skillz, I just may take over the world.

Earth Hour

I heard about Earth Hour first here, and then it was popping up everywhere.  We weren't home to participate, but I did unplug items (computers, printers, etc.) in honor of the event (which is something we should be doing all the time, anyway).

And it has to be mentioned, I heart Google's page display for this.  Pretty effing cool.

Hooters

So, after living here for what... 17 months?  We finally decided to make it official, and get WV licenses.  The problem is there's no place locally to just run down and stand in line and get it done, so we opted for the Charleston location because:

a) STARBUCKS!
b) It's cooler
c) STARBUCKS!
d) we were going that way, anyway
e) they're open on Saturdays
f) I think there's a Starbucks around there

Well.  I Mapquested the address, but it didn't come up exactly.  It did that thing where it gave me some options, and I just picked one.  Because I obviously know where I'm going if I'm Mapquesting the directions.

Stupidly, I thought it wouldn't be that hard to find, and we decided to kind of wing it, and ask for directions if we needed.

Oh, we needed.

It wasn't where we thought, not even close, and we drove all over the stupid, damn city looking for the stupid, damn DMV.  We drove up a ways, and back a ways, and then over the river, and then back to where we started.  We got directions at three different places, and the directions from two people (guys) mentioned that it was past Hooters.

Hooters?  Really?  In Charleston?  West Virginia?  Seriously?

We decided to change our parameters, and look for Hooters instead of the DMV, because clearly that's what we were doing wrong in the first place.  That, and trusting Mapquest.  Two different sets of directions mentioned the place, so it had to be there somewhere.

We finally found Hooters.  The orange owl sign was shining at us like a beacon across the city.  Right past it we found the DMV.  We are now card-carrying West Virginians, and celebrated with lots and lots of Starbucks.

The price of awesomeness

Dear Tattoo,

You're really great, and I love you to death.  However, you need to get to steppin' with this whole healing thing.  I am thisclose to clawing my arm off with all the itching, and that would be a shame.

Love,
That chick with all the fingernails

Loads and loads of fun

The godmother has been out visiting this week, and the kids just can't get enough. If this podunk town had anything to offer, I would beg her to move out here. Well, I do beg her, but I don't blame her for laughing in my face.