LIFE STORIES

 

 

Rescuing My Trapped Seagulls
by Diane Morgan
January 20, 2010

I may have survived cancer but I fear I will not survive computer.

A year ago I wrote of the problems encountered when my sister Jenny gave me her old computer as a homecoming “gift” after I returned to Santa Rosa following nearly two decades in Florida. By the time it was up and running I had significant credit card debt and the only thing left from the original “gift” was a 12-year-old Hewlett Packard printer. But it worked. At least until this past August.

I’ve learned enough over the past couple of years to prevent me from getting alarmed when the color faded. I knew it was a sign of needing a new cartridge. Since it is a costly item I was in no hurry to replace it - especially because color is not vital to what I do most with my word processor - write stories for class. But then the black print began to fail. No problem. Just replace both cartridges. Which I did. The color artwork came back fine but the black print did not.

I called my computer guy, left a message and waited. The next day he called back - from GUATEMALA and apologized for not being able to help me immediately. He politely asked if I could wait until he returned. Thinking any repairman who would even consider calling me from Guatemala is a keeper, I agreed. I was getting ready to leave for a Labor Day weekend beach wedding in southern California anyway.

A week after I returned he came by, checked my printer and pronounced it terminal. He said he could probably come up with a used one to replace it but I told him that would not be necessary because three people had offered me printers. But after mulling over the situation for a while I decided I did not want to inherit anybody else’s problems and it would be best to buy a new printer.

In the meantime I could still use my word processor so I finished my “Gulls” story. I was frustrated because they were caged. I needed them to fly. Repeated attempts to email them failed.

So, Jenny and I went shopping. The first thing I discovered is many new printers are bigger than microwave ovens and do everything EXCEPT cook dinner. I knew I did not need anything that sophisticated. Finding a simple little printer which would fit my limited space, budget and skills was harder than anticipated but we found a suitable Epson on sale at Office Depot. I did not buy it immediately because we thought we should check with computer guy first. After he agreed it was a good deal I figured we would go back the next day to get it. But… Jenny wasn‘t feeling well the next morning and asked if I could wait a couple of days. I agreed. Then I started wondering if the sale price would still be in effect, so I phoned the store. Sure enough, the offer was only good until the next day.

I had several options but realized I could go by bus to purchase the printer. I only
needed help getting it home. So what if it was Saturday when buses run less often. .I made it to Office Depot, and bought the printer. They agreed to hold it for pickup on Monday. But getting back home by bus was much tougher than going there. The round trip, which required transfers in both directions and a couple of 40-minute waits, took nearly four hours.. And I didn’t even stop for coffee.

On Monday Jenny wasn’t feeling much better but agreed she could at least drive me to pick up the printer. She stopped at the entrance; I rushed in and quickly returned with it. Then she dropped me off at my apartment and went home to bed.

A few days later she decided she would try to install it with some instructions from computer guy. Since there is no way I can do anything that requires kneeling, it was up to her to crawl under my work table and try to connect it. One of the first things she did was hold up a wire with a lavender connector and ask “What’s this for?” I had no idea and quickly realized it would be best if I kept myself busy in the kitchen.

After much mumbling and groaning it appeared she had completed the hookup. We briefly celebrated success before she went back home to bed. But later when I tried printing I discovered the keyboard didn’t work. I gingerly pulled its wire and discovered the loose lavender connector I called Jenny to report what I had found and asked “Where do I stick it?”

I could tell by the tone of her voice she was fighting the urge to tell me EXACTLY where to stick it, but she is a GOOD sister and tactfully suggested I try the back of the screen. Even with my limited skills that didn’t seem logical, but I knew I was testing her patience so I said I’d try it. As anticipated, there was no vacant plug there.

I grabbed a flashlight and gritting my teeth, slowly lowered myself to the floor and advanced commando-style on my elbows to the back of the brain tower. Aha! I spotted an empty lavender plug. But getting the loose wire into the exact position required to complete the connection took repeated tries and various body positions. By the time it moved into a snug fit I was exhausted and decided to simply lay on the floor for a while. Eventually I scooted backwards until I reached my bed and slowly pulled myself to my feet. As I sat down on my office chair I said a little prayer. Hallelujah! It worked! Within a couple of minutes my story emerged from the new printer. My seagulls were free at last!

(Note: Diane's story about Seagulls appeared in our last issue.)

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