It’s 10:24am in Accra and I’m typing this week’s update from a very glitchy IPad. Here’s why…
On Saturday, three days into a very successful Nanowrimo start, my computer died. I tried reviving her every way I knew how. I googled, I YouTubed, I shook and prayed, but my faithful 8 year + laptop refused to sing. Saturday came and went with no words. I just could not pull myself away from the rabbit hole of combing through the internet for a solution.
On Sunday I began calling repair shops. All of them were extremely kind to my predicament but all of them advised I bring the machine in on Monday because then they would have a technician on hand to run a diagnostic. Sunday crossed over into Monday with still no words . My word count debt was at 3,334. I started panicking a little but convinced myself that on Monday, when my Mac had seen a capable doctor, I would dedicate the rest of the day to crunching out 5,000 words.
On Monday I sat for two hours with the technician only to learn that my computer’s motherboard was ‘broken’ and given that she is an early 2015, MacBook Air 11” - a model no longer in production- the chances of finding a replacement motherboard in country were slim to none.
I cried as my debt count rose to a disturbing 5,000 words.
At this point I d like to say that when Tuesday arrived I met it with the resolve of a person who is on the rebound. Unfortunately that was not me. With 5000+ words staring me down I got so overwhelmed I buried myself in household chores. And the household chores, of which there were many, welcomed me with open arms.
By Wednesday I’d given up on my Nanowrimo dreams. I had no computer, no way of acquiring one within the month of November, and I felt I was already so behind (6,668+) catching up would be impossible.
Then I remembered my old IPad mini. Mimi, as I like to call her is at that age where updates are either not possible or not advisable and there is a noticeable lag when I type on her. So she lives on my nightstand as an Audible bedtime reader and a visual watch.
Today though, Mimi has risen to the task of seeing me through Nanowrimo one delayed word at a time and I am so grateful for her struggle. If we both pull through to November 30th, you can believe that I’m making a sticker of that Certificate and pasting it on Mimi’s back.
Okay, now I’ve got to go back to Oranges; 2,000 words done 6,000 to go before I’m back on track with this November Writing Challenge.
♥️
And that’s where I’m at this Thursday. To those of you who’ve ever experienced the untimely passing of a beloved machine, my many many condolences. May they Rest In Peace.
Progress Bar . (1) Crashed Laptop (1) Struggling Ipad & (6,000) word debt🦧