I'm back

Where'd Ruby go, you ask. Or maybe not.

The computer came down with a nasty corruption and had to spend some time in a 'puter hospital, otherwise known as "The Computer Guys". It sounded like a high-tech geeky place in the yellow pages advertisement. I sure wasn't gonna take the unit to the place where I bought it, cause they hold onto your unit for forever.

Anyway, I like to support local businesses, cause they support me. The nearest outlet for my brand of computer is about 30 miles away through some really nasty traffic. I try not to drive east of Randall Road 'cause that's where civilization starts.

"The Computer Guys" turned out to be one old guy, working 7 days a week in a teeny tiny storefront on the wrong side of the tracks. I got a little worried when I entered the place, it kind of reminded me of those old vacuum cleaner repair shops, in fact it probably WAS a vacuum cleaner repair shop in a previous incarnation.

It wasn't the cleanest place on the planet, and I imagined the chasm between the clean rooms where computer parts are manufactured and the bordering-on-grungy shop I was untrusting my computer to. Shortly the owner appeared from the back of the shop. OH MY! He introduced himself as Manny, and he looked like a refugee from Disco-mania, with neck chains and a diamond pinkie ring. And......he was puffing away on a cigarette.

Nonetheless, I was desparate to get old Betsy up and running again. Manny assured me she was in good hands, and that he would do his best to save the several THOUSAND photographs that hadn't been backed up on CD's. NOTE TO RUBY - get your act in gear girl. Start burning those CD's.

True to his word, Manny fixed the 'puter, and unlike a previous experience with Gateway it only took two working days! He saved the photos. Thanks Manny.

Stayed tuned for the next installment of Ruby's Bar and Grill. Ever wonder what you would do without electricity. That's what being without a computer feels like. I'll have an interesting report on what I did instead of sitting in front of a flat screen monitor.

Happy Halloween Kiddos. Hope the little ones had lots of fun trick or treating. I've got WAY too much candy left. Which candy bar do you want? I have Hershey's, Heath, Almond Joy, Hershey's Nuggets (3 flavors), York Peppermint Patties and Reeses' Peanut Butter Cups.

Hmmmmm, I wonder what your choice of candy bars says about your personality? I'm sure there's a study somewhere..........

Comments

[GeezLuWeez]

I was worried too. In fact I ate three bags of Almond Joys to help those worries go away. What on earth does that say about me?

p.s. I like all the other candy varities also. Give that your best shot!

Good to see you back,

GeezLuWeez

[barb]

good to hear Betsy's back up!!!

[The Rev]

LOL Ruby! Let me tell you about repair shops - if you bring your device into a shop with immaculate workstations and a vast, neatly organized inventory of spares (providing you get past the shiny reception area), expect the "repair" to consist of the techs swapping modules until it works. Expect a stiff bill. If you wander into a shop with work benches covered with solder splashes and service manuals, wire clippings on the floor, solder suckers with tips so frayed they could be used as stencil brushes, you've found a real repair shop.

Same is true for small engine shops. We've got both types here, one so clean and shiny you could eat off the floor and mechenics in spotless uniforms, the other with 4" thick wood work benches worn half through, 30 years of grease stains on the concrete floor, and mechanics with nails so blackened nothing but time will ever get them clean. Guess which one gets my business...

[David]

Hiya Ruby!

Sure glad to see you back and it was the computer that was sick and not you. After you mentioned your bout with Lupus I was getting more worrieder and more worrieder, but all is well. Computers can be replace, but you, Ruby, are a national treasure, and if anything happens to you, we, as a nation, will be much poorer for it.

Give my regards to Manny. Just goes to show ya, ya can't tell a book by its cover, or a good computer guy by his fashion IQ.

All the best,

David