Parents and Computers

My parents are officially cooler than me.

My dad informed me that he has started attending lectures at the art gallery because its 60% women and 40% men; apparently half the men are gay so he can't lose.

My mom is out dancing the night away with a firefighter but not before she called me in a panic looking for her hairdryer and advice on what to wear.

As for myself, I am sitting at home admiring my new computer because its red and shiny.

On a side note, I officially hate Microsoft now. All through the monopoly issue, the slowness and buginess of Windows and blah blah, I was fairly indifferent, but now they want me to pay for Office after I dropped almost $2000 on a machine (including taxes) - I am flatout indignant and angry.

Approximately 4 years ago I was given a Dell laptop as a gift by my common-law spouse at the time. The computer and I had a difficult working relationship because it wasn't a Mac like I wanted it to be, everytime I looked at it I was reminded of the fact that my spouse didn't take my preferences into account when buying the thing and truth be told it was heavy and ugly as sin.

About a month ago, it overheated during a presentation that I was doing for a job interview over Skype. It had been having issues for a while but this was just too much. I don't know much about such things and that combined with my anger gave me courage - I decided to clean the fan. I went out and bought a little screwdriver and started unscrewing things and pulling on the casing. I found two little screws where the monitor meets the rest of it and proceeded to flex the monitor with a screwdriver while using the another screwdriver to undo the screws. During this entire procedure my roommate came home, stared in mordib fascination for a while, warned me that is a singularly stupid idea and then proceeded to help me. We eventually got the fan clean, but the monitor gave up the ghost.

Deep down inside I was looking for an excuse to buy a new computer, that is the only logical reason for my behaviour. I have finally found a candidate that I am excited about - a Sony Viao CR - in shiny sexy metallic red. I am so looking forward to having some aesthetic pleasure in my computing experience.

I am in the process of leaving Taiwan. I have to think about the question of where I will go next. This week I interviewed for a job in Abu Dhabi - while its a completely random place its really as good as any.

The problem with dating someone with whom you don't share a language and culture is primarily that no matter how many times you try to explain yourself you can never be sure they understand what you are talking about - also if they do something to make you angry how do you know whether they are being insensitive and generally acting like a jerk or is it a language problem or possibly they are sending you cultural signals that are completely over your head. I honestly don't know why I bother sometimes.

Overheard on the bus today:

"Silk D&G underwear is not gay - you have to protect your jewels. That's as straight as it gets."

I am still laughing my head off.

I usually read non-fiction where men in suits are running around doing sketchy things and someone ends up dead or in jail but not before havoc has been wreaked on the world by their actions.

Last night I read - more like devoured - "The Colour Purple". I, a supposedly educated, independent female with a world of opportunity at my feet, can completely relate to this book. I am totally not sure how I feel about that.

I have wanted a big, red couch ever since I became aware of the possibility of decorating my own home. It is looking like a real possibility within the next year or two but for now remains imaginary.