Thursday, December 31, 2009

New Year, New Hard Drive, New Attitude

Yes folks, I am typing to you from right here at my newly refurbished laptop - back from the shop with a zippy new hard drive and hopefully now virus-free as well. My data is safe - they backed it up and then I backed it up a second time as well onto my own external hard drive (yes, I do have one, and I do use it regularly, I just hadn't had a chance to back up this last week yet, and I'd worked on a lot of critically important files this week). On a more worrying note, they said that in addition to my hard drive crapping out, my computer was also riddled with viruses that my company's swanky anti-virus software did not find. Lovely. They recommended another program, ESET NOD 32, as much better, but since this is a company machine I'm stuck with company software. I will certainly pass the recommendation on, though I doubt it will do much good.

As you can imagine I'm feeling very relieved now that I'm up and running again, but I'm also working on an attitude adjustment. Data, no matter how critical it may seem, is just data. In the grand scheme of things it's just small stuff, and they say not to sweat the small stuff, right? I had a major run in with the Big Stuff this week, the world lost a soul much, MUCH too young to lose, and in a way so random and tragic as to defy reason. His family's life will never be the same without their son in it, and my life is forever touched by my friend's loss. That is Big Stuff. That is something truly worth grieving over, a stupid computer, whatever it holds inside, is still just a piece of plastic and is replaceable.

Something else worth focusing on is the tremendous group of friends and readers I have here. You guys pick me up when I'm down, smile when I smile, and are so generous with your spirit. I'm truly thankful that you are in my life and are here to welcome me each day and to help me grow - as a mother, as a photographer, and as a human being. I couldn't do what I do here without you.

Perspective.

I don't always have it, but I'm working on it. This week taught me that.

Wishing you all a very happy, healthy, safe and peaceful 2010.
.

28 comments:

Tania said...

Jepp, it`s just plastic and people are more important..
Wish you a blessed Happy New Year!
Hug from Norway!

Dina said...

The young man's death is a great sadness. But the rest of your post is so optimistic. And the feeling is mutual re blogger friendship.

Anonymous said...

Perspective is everything. Beautifully written.
My pledge for 2010 is to "come out" from lurkdom.

Linda (formerly your Anon)

Happy New Year!

Robin said...

Welcome out of lurkdom Linda, it's really lovely to meet you.

Dimple said...

I'm sorry to hear of your friends' loss; nothing is more important in life than people, and losing them is always hard.
Glad your computer is running again.

May your new year be blessed!

Jientje said...

I'm sorry about your friend, that's BIG Stuff indeed, a life is so much more precious than a stupid computer. But it's good it's up and running again, what would we be without it?
I hope 2010 is filled with happiness and laughter Robin. For you and your loved ones. Happy New Year!

Jael said...

So sad to hear about the life that came to end too soon.
Glad to hear that your computer however is running fine again and that your data was saved as well.I have been using the NOD32 for a few years now and I am very pleased with that.
Wishing you a happy and good 2010!

RoeH said...

I just went through that a few months ago. Only the virus' killed my laptop permanently. I miss it terribly. There's something about curling up on the couch and watching television while doing something with a laptop on my knees.

Daryl said...

(((Robin))) .. its amazing how life can twist and turn and how somethings make others totally unimportant .. wishing you & your family here and there a wonderful 2010 .. xoxox

Genny said...

I hope you have a wonderful New Year, too! Thanks for the photography link over at my site; I'll definitely check it out. You always take such great photos!

I love your perspective here, Robin. Yes, data is just data, and I love the reminder to look at the big picture. Thanks!

Gilit Frank said...

Hi Robin

I agree with you about Big Stuff vs. Little Stuff, but it's sometimes harder to deal with all that little stuff because it can get to be a larger and larger pile of "little" stuff and then we get overwhelmed! I want to warn you about a Facebook virus going around - apparently you need to change your password to avoid getting it, so DON'T open emails from me (or anyone else) asking you to check out a photo or video link.

Suki said...

A very thoughtful post. You're right - sometimes we waste so much time despairing over silly things that we forget the big worthwhile things out there. Happy New Year to you Robin and to your family.

Janet said...

Happy New Year to you and yours Robin! Looking forward to maybe getting to see you again in 2010 :-)

maryt/theteach said...

Robin, I'm so happy you're back up and running! I'm sorry about your loss too. I consider you one of my dear friends and I'm not qualifying it by saying "in the blogosphere." I promise to visit more often in 2010... Happy New Year to you and your family! :)

Sara at Come Away With Me said...

Thank you, Robin. Your blog has been a wonderfully enjoyable place to visit and I look forward to more in 2010. Thank you for the thoughtful and poignant reminder of what really matters. May 2010 bring you all that you hope for, and more. Blessings to you and yours.

kayerj said...

Happy New Year Robin.

moneythoughts said...

Happy New Year! (Again?) Oh well, can it hurt to celebrate the New Year twice a year?

Sorry for your loss.

Kelley @ magnetoboldtoo said...

love you sweetie.

And get a Mac for crying out loud. Come over to the Mac side. They are even prettier than our mixers!

quilly said...

Here's hoping that 2010 helps us all hone our perspectives so we value the big stuff and don't sweat the small stuff -- and actually know which is which.

May you and yours enjoy a blessed and happy 2010!

Patty Reiser said...

Glad to see you back up and running Robin. Wishing you the happiest of new years!

Rajesh said...

I am glad everything is fine again.
Wish you Happy & Prosperous New Year.

eastcoastlife said...

My wishes for you,
Great start for Jan,
Love for Feb,
Peace for March,
No worries for April,
Fun for May,
Joy for June to Nov,
Happiness for Dec,
Have a lucky and wonderful 2010!

Ellie said...

Happy New Year! Health and happiness!

storyteller said...

I'm glad your data was saved and that you're up and running again. In my Fix Your Own Computer class I learned that some of the most expensive and well known 'antivirus' programs miss more than they catch while they slow down our computers with increasingly intrusive but minimally useful functions. Of course with work computers you don't have so much choice.

Sorry for your friend's loss. A friend of mine lost her son in a freeway accident last summer and it's still hard on the whole family ... especially his wife and unborn child.

May the new decade bring you and yours joyful opportunities and experiences!
Hugs and blessings,

Jen said...

Happy New Year, my dear! Your friend is in my prayers, I can't imagine losing one of my sons. Glad you got the computer back; I know TOO WELL how that goes.

Kate Coveny Hood said...

So true Robin. I find myself saying that on a daily basis..."they're just things."

Happy New Year to you!

Mojo said...

So sorry to hear about the Big Stuff your friend is going through. I'm forever grateful that mine are -- despite what sometimes seemed like their (or my) best efforts -- are still in one piece.

I'm glad to hear that you at least got the Small Stuff worked out. By comparison it's trivial, but it's a win and you take those where you can get them.

Here's hoping that 2010 is the best year yet for you and your family.

Patti said...

I'm so sorry to read about your friend's loss.
A life cut short is so tragic.
I agree with you that a computer is just a thing, and even when it doesn't work it's not a major problem about which to obsess.

I wish you and yours a happy and healthy and peaceful 2010 ~