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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
[email protected]Shown: posts 1 to 13 of 13. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by crushedout on August 12, 2005, at 12:36:47
Last night, one of the worst things I can imagine happened: I spilled a glass of water into my laptop and killed it. I was devastated. The computer is my lifeline. Not to mention, I'm not a wealthy person. Just not having a computer for one evening hurts me, it's really hard. I know this may seem stupid.So, today, I hired some folks to rescue my hard drive ($180-240) and then bought a new computer (for $1,200 -- but it's a $2,000 value). The computer I killed worked perfectly well, but it was 2 1/2 years old, so who knows -- maybe I would have had to replace it in a year or two anyway.
My work is loaning me a temp laptop until my new one arrives, so I won't be computerless for the next week or so.
I am devastated by stuff like this. Part of it is that I can't forgive myself for f'ing up -- why can't I just shrug and say, "sh*t happens," and just move on? I feel like a tragedy has occurred. It's just money and it's just a frickin' computer.
'Course it doesn't help to beat up on myself for getting upset about it, but I also really need help to put this in perspective and move on. I'm posting here for sympathy, support, and a maybe some similar stories -- I need to let go of this and try to get back to enjoying life. Life is hard enough without letting this kind of junk get me down.
Sorry for rambling.
Posted by greyskyeyes on August 12, 2005, at 13:06:00
In reply to It's only money and hassle, posted by crushedout on August 12, 2005, at 12:36:47
OK, you definitely have sympathy from me. I freak out when things get broken/ destroyed, even little things like dishes. I'm still beating myself up over a wooden tray I broke last year in a fit of rage - it's part of a set of 4 so every time I see the remaining 3 I remember the 4th and want to cry. The irony is I have this tendency to throw/ slam things when I'm upset so it's all kind of, um, counterproductive. Anyways.
You're right: it *is* only money and hassle. But it's one thing to say that rationally, and another thing for your heart to accept it. Simple things take on so much more meaning than the surface would indicate. For you, your computer is your lifeline (to borrow your words). For me, when the table was broken I was deep in the throes of BPD + MDD, dealing with post-partum hormones and lots of childhood issues dragged to the forefront when my son was born, plus the fact that I was largely unresponsive to medication; the table represents a hideous summer I desperately wish had never happened. Make sense? It's not the laptop you mourn, it's what it stands for. (And a new computer is NEVER the same, they all have their own idiosyncrasies which need to be learned and adjusted to)
That being said, can I give some advice? Bottled water!!! (this is from someone who's fried a keyboard or two) :)
Posted by crushedout on August 12, 2005, at 13:47:40
In reply to Re: It's only money and hassle » crushedout, posted by greyskyeyes on August 12, 2005, at 13:06:00
hey greyskies,thank you for your sympathy. it really helps. i can totally relate to your wanting to cry when you see the other three. i get really upset when small things get ruined also. it's comforting to know i'm not alone.
one of my tricks is that i always drink out of really heavy glasses, so i can't just knock them over easily. but this week i'm catsitting, and i poured myself a glass in a plastic cup. that's my lesson. no plastic.
(i also try to keep the water on a different surface. i don't think i can switch to bottles, but it's a good idea.)
anyway, i appreciate your post very much. i'm really starting to recover a little.
Posted by crushedout on August 12, 2005, at 14:00:56
In reply to Re: It's only money and hassle » crushedout, posted by greyskyeyes on August 12, 2005, at 13:06:00
yeah, and you're totally right about getting used to a new computer. i had finally gotten used to the old one. i had grown to love all it's quirks. my fingers knew exactly where every button was on the keyboard.it was my friend. :(
god, i'm pathetic.
Posted by FlyingKangaroo on August 12, 2005, at 14:31:29
In reply to It's only money and hassle, posted by crushedout on August 12, 2005, at 12:36:47
I know how you feel. I just went 2 hours this afternoon with no internet because the cable was down( again) and i had just become addicted to this site. I wrote an extremely nasty email to cablevision and told them that i expect a full months refund (like thats gonna happen) :)
Posted by crushedout on August 12, 2005, at 14:49:49
In reply to Re: It's only money and hassle, posted by FlyingKangaroo on August 12, 2005, at 14:31:29
yeah, i'm really dependent (i was just telling my co-worker this) on internet: email, weather, babble, just having everything at the tips of your fingers. i feel completely at loose ends without it. like it grounds me. it connets me to the world.
Posted by Daisym on August 12, 2005, at 15:24:21
In reply to It's only money and hassle, posted by crushedout on August 12, 2005, at 12:36:47
I think this might be a good thing to bring up, your need to be connected to the world, but through a computer instead of IRL.
OK -- I wanted to try and keep your thread here. But I do think it is interesting how some of us (me included) feel lost without internet access. I think it is because I'm "me" here -- and I can be just me with out worrying (much anyways.)
I would be devasted too. I think I would have taken my kid's from him. :)
take care, I hope the new one arrives soon.
Daisy
Posted by crushedout on August 12, 2005, at 15:30:29
In reply to Have you talk to your therapist about this? » crushedout, posted by Daisym on August 12, 2005, at 15:24:21
Thanks, Daisy. No, my T and I have never discussed this. It's usually not on my mind because I always have the computer and I guess I take it for granted until disaster strikes.Here's how I coped with this today, which I think was very healthy and helpful:
1. I hired some guys who rescued my hard drive;
2. I bought a new laptop -- a really good one -- at a very decent price (although it was way more than I wanted to spend; and
3. I convinced my work to loan me a laptop till my new one arrives.
So, right now, I'm out a bunch of money and a whole day of work, and I feel bruised.
But I just saved a bunch of money on my car insurance by switching to GEICO.
(I don't know why that popped into my head. Must mean I retained some semblance of a sense of humor, which is not to say it was actually funny.)
Posted by Daisym on August 12, 2005, at 15:51:29
In reply to Re: Have you talk to your therapist about this? » Daisym, posted by crushedout on August 12, 2005, at 15:30:29
Posted by greyskyeyes on August 12, 2005, at 16:05:02
In reply to Re: Have you talk to your therapist about this? » Daisym, posted by crushedout on August 12, 2005, at 15:30:29
> But I just saved a bunch of money on my car insurance by switching to GEICO.
Hee hee hee, you just cracked me up!! :)
I think you're coping in a great way. Yes, it's more than you wanted to spend, but as you said it's a really good laptop. And you were able to get it for a great price (sales always cheer me up). Plus - you're lucky that you were able to save the hard drive, that's HUGE. Starting over with NONE of your files would have been terrible. Just think of it as your engine transplanted into a new car. A fancier car with turbo and a sunroof (or even a convertible!) and a 6-CD changer... and GEICO insurance. ;)
Oh, and bottles aren't that bad, just buy one and refill it with water, replace it when it gets stinky (yuck). Drastically reduced my rate of computer casualties... good thing since I'm on one all day!
Posted by LadyBug on August 12, 2005, at 16:19:23
In reply to Re: It's only money and hassle » greyskyeyes, posted by crushedout on August 12, 2005, at 13:47:40
I'd be one lost puppy without my computer!! So I can relate to your loss. For one thing I wouldn't have a way to buy a new one!!! Not even with credit......so if I spilled on mine I'd be devastated!!!
But on the brighter side of it all.....You are getting a great deal and a NEW computer which means more fun and new!!!
No amount of money can cover what my compter means to me! I hope you can see it that way too. Of course timing is never a good thing when it's not expected!!!
Have fun with the new one when it comes and realize you can't change what happened!! Just learn from it I suppose.
LadyBug
Posted by crushedout on August 12, 2005, at 16:26:30
In reply to Re: It's only money and hassle » crushedout, posted by LadyBug on August 12, 2005, at 16:19:23
and they insisted on paying for it. which is so sweet, but it makes me feel guilty. then again, to them, the money doesn't mean as much because they have more of it.i guess this is another boon.
Posted by LadyBug on August 12, 2005, at 16:37:45
In reply to Re: Have you talk to your therapist about this? » crushedout, posted by greyskyeyes on August 12, 2005, at 16:05:02
Oh your T will be proud of you!!! Geico, that's a good one!!
This is the end of the thread.
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