Hey! I'm not on hiatus, and I'm not giving up blogging. It has just
been a busy week. Having said that, my computer presence will be much
lower for the next few days, because once again, there is a problem
with the Dell. This time it is a software issue. My OS has been acting
funkier and funkier every day for the past few months, and so last
night, I decided to reinstall.

Half way through the reinstallation process, I found out that the
reinstallation disk from Dell has problems. It appears to be missing
several DLLs. I called Dell to make absolutely certain that the mistake
wasn't mine. That does happen from time to time. Unfortunately, the
problem IS Dells, and they'll be sending me a new Windows XP CD. I don't
mind the idea of doing a clean sweep and new install. I've had the
computer for two years, and I figure it is about time. I have all the
important stuff backed up, although I am sure there is something I'm
forgetting. I hate that I'll have to download some of the freeware I
use, and I may have to buy another subscription to MacAffee, but such is
life, non? It will be nice to have a clean house.

I was up until 11.30 last night fiddling with the computer, and by the
time I got to bed, I was in a very foul mood. I decided right then and
there that I was going to take my time getting up in the morning. I
called in and told the boss I'd be late. It is a good thing too. The
foul mood I went to bed with is the exact same mood I woke up with. I
tried to mess with the computer some more, but to no avail. No internet
connection, same missing DLLs. I couldn't even reinstall Earthlink.

I puttered and puttered, and it took me a long time to get ready. I took
a nap on the train on the way in, and when I opened my eyes, Matt was
standing there looking at me. Talk about happenstance. I thought he had
moved away shortly after he'd gotten married four years ago. Matt, to
let you know, is one of the kindest people I know. He is sweet and
intelligent, and just a really good guy to know. We lost touch after he
got married. He seems very happy in life, has a daughter and another
baby on the way, and still has the same, big, warm beaming smile he
always had. Life couldn't have happened to a nicer guy.

And just think - I wouldn't have run into him if I'd jumped back into
the Habitrail at 7 like I am supposed to. I gave him my email address.
I'm sure I won't hear from him, but that's ok. We probably don't have a
whole lot in common now anyhow. It was just a very nice surprise.

But then.. I get into work, and I'm presented with a memo that has
everyone floored. The CEO of the CompanyIWorkFor, the guy who made sure
I had a job when Godzilla decided to move the CompanyIUsedToWorkFor to
London without me, a brilliant, upstanding individual of unquestionable
integrity, the one person who makes my job worth coming to, is
resigning. We're having a group meeting in 10 minutes. I'm hoping there
are no further surprises today. I don't know that I could handle that.