Please don’t muck with it!
Last week the Urbane Lion mucked with my laptop. Mucked it up real good. He obliterated my sound, setting up ear phones for his sister-in-law.
I was NOT HAPPY. I have a rule: anyone may use my laptop, as long as they do not MUCK with it! No downloading, no software installations, no changing system settings.
My laptop is my daily connection to my children. It is my creative writing tool. It is my bank access. It is my photo album.
I do not do well when mechanical things (cars, computers, hairdryers, you name it!) do not work as they should. As a matter of fact, I get downright cranky.
So, there I was, trying to hear the voices of other bloggers on Robin's Bloggers' Recording Project post, and no sound!
"LION! You frigged up my laptop!"
Only, I have to admit to not using the word frigged. Although, the word I did use just so happened to also start with an 'f'.
"No worries. I can fix it," the Lion declared in complete confidence.
Only he couldn't. Oh, he kept opening windows and folders, and clicking buttons, and browsing files, but to no avail. I, meanwhile, sat beside him with my arms crossed, my lips pursed, and an unflinching glare in my eyes.
"Darn Vista," muttered the Lion.
"We could ask J-Rock for help," I suggested, seeing as J-Rock worked in computer support.
"NO!", was the adamant reply.
Note to the ladies: never suggest to a man that he needs another man's help. Very bad for their ego.
In the end, I stormed up stairs loudly declaring an extreme case of crankiness.
Only to hear the Lion say something to the effect of "Oh good. This means I get cranky sex."
YA RIGHT!
He did fix it in the end. He claims he knew exactly what he was doing. I think it was purely accidental myself.
I normally do not mind sharing. What is mine is yours. But do NOT muck with my laptop!
Do you have something that you are completely possessive and protective of?
Me? Why no, I share everything.
Actually, that’s why we have two laptops. I really hated sharing our old computer. I mean, she had it available ALL day when I was at work, right? With me being home all day, THAT was not going to work.
It used to really irritate me when our daughter would visit and she would end up in MY recliner. It was HER favorite spot, too, I guess. But we fixed that. When we got new furniture, we didn’t get a recliner and now I don’t have a particular favorite spot.
This is sort of silly, but I have a paring knife that I suspect my hub threw away on one of his cleaning rages. It was sentimental to me and though I try not to be attached to ’stuff’, I miss the darn thing. And I can’t accuse him of it - what’s the point? it’s gone or it will turn up? But I’m quietly upset about it.
I used to get into trouble like that when we only had one PC as I tinker. Once we had more than one computer all was well…
It extends to the cars, too - don’t adjust the seats or mirrors!
People often underestimate the damage they can do by innocently downloading a piece of software. Nothing comes without strings attached. Glad your tech equipment is back in useable form. Lessons are always useful for self-growth. Season’s Greetings and Happy New Year!
You are not going to believe this, my fountain pen
I don’t mind sharing my stuff, just as long as it was put back the exact way they found it…like my dishes..they are all set up displayed nicely, all lined up…I can’t stand it when it’s moved to the wrong spot or not in a straight line..same goes with my coasters…and pillows on the couch..it needs to look presentable after one is done using it.. I’ll share…but I have rules and guidelines
I was pretty good at sharing when I lived at home. After living alone for a while… everything IS mine! The only thing that I will allow to be moved out of place… is the toilet seat… and it MUST be put back again where it was found
I’m with you with my laptop. I really don’t mind other people using my stuff as long as they return in the same condition but of course more often than not, when it gets back to me, it’s all out of whack!
I share most of my stuff, but I really, really hate it when someone reads my newspaper before I do. In fact, I refuse to read an already read newspaper and will go buy a new one if someone gets to it before me.
This was a deceptively hard question, U.P.
My initial reaction was, “Oh, I’m so easy about my stuff,” but then I realized there’s my exact same thing about my laptop, too; then my thing about stuff being put away (in the proper place, of course); then I thought of my “don’t interrupt me, please” pet peeve (followed immediately with the realization that I’ve learned, quite well, how to do my OWN interrupting)…
It seems not only am I protective and possessive of my laptop, but I’m rather fussy about a LOT of things. After that, I just didn’t want to think it anymore. LOL!
Seriously, this was a great question. I learned I’m more controlling than I thought. Ouch!
Hi Panther - thanks for the link!
We both have our own computers - when we occasionally use each other’s, there’s no need to change anything.
I’m a bit mean with sharing - if I don’t want to lend something, I just say so - like my car, for example (I’m happy for Frank to use my car).
Happy New Year to you both!
Mike - okay, well getting rid of the recliner certainly solves the problem of sharing. *grin*
CuriousC - ‘cleaning rages’. Oh, I have to admit that I’m like your Hubby on that one. I get fed up with what I consider to be clutter and I just start chucking. I have been accused many times of throwing out something ‘important’. I try to control, or at least temper, my cleaning rages now.
Brett - tinker. Exactly! The Lion tinkers with computers. I told him he can tinker all he wants with his, just leave mine alone. We share a car, so the seat and mirrors have to be adjusted. Although, I have to admit to never moving the outside mirrors. I just leave them at the Lion’s setting and make do.
Liara - not quite sure how much self-growth went on in this situation. I’m still not willing to let anyone muck with my laptop, and the Lion will likely do it again someday. *smile* Happy New Year to you as well!
Miguel - oh, I get the fountain pen. It’s not the fountain pen for me, rather any of my art supplies. If I see the Lion walking around with one of my water colour brushes, I stick to him to see what he is going to do with it, and make sure he cleans it properly.
Beatrice - *chuckle* okay, you do realize your OCD is showing through just a bit there, eh? Anyway, I’ll remember this advice when I am visiting your new apartment.
Davina - that is so true! The year I lived on my own I became quite controlling about my stuff. I had everything EXACTLY where and how I wanted it. When I moved into the Lion’s I had to go through a period of adjustment.
XUP - I know someone else like you. Especially her Saturday morning paper. That is HER paper, and it involves sitting in pajamas with a big steaming mug of coffee, preferably on her balcony in the good weather. Don’t touch the paper until she is done.
Julie - that’s hysterical. Okay, um well, so glad you learned a little bit about yourself!
Robin - actually, if you don’t want to share, I think it’s excellent to simply say no. Avoids a lot of bitterness if something goes wrong if you did share. Happy New Year to you and Frank!
Chris - with a full household like yours, I imagine it’s a case of what is theirs is theirs and what is yours is theirs *grin*
Like you, I don’t like people messing with my computer, or any technology for that matter - including my husband! I’ve learned to let go of that a little bit, but not entirely. Hey, we all have our thing!
Panther,
I’m picky about my desk area—not “neat” picky, though sometimes I get lucky, but “exactly where I left it” kind of picky.
I’m over the edge about my purse. I wouldn’t go into someone’s back pocket looking for XYZ, why do some folks think they can go into a purse just because it’s not on my person?
Nobody screws with my computers so I’m not sure. I might be nutty about that, too.
Happy New Year, Panther!
Regards,
Kelly
Happy New Year!
My laptop - like you it’s everything and I don’t want it a-messed with. Also, oddly, my imaginary world. Sometimes people come along and they have an idea. Instead of suggesting it to me, they tell me it as though it’s a fact. It’s difficult to say “No, this is my world, in my head.”
Isn’t it funny how we attach ourselves to some things and not others?
Debra - thanks, and to you!
Stacey - funny how our computers become so much a part of us. I think it’s because they contain so much of our life!
Kelly - I have no issues with my purse. To me, a purse is a necessary evil, so if the Lion wants something out of it I just tell him to get it. My studio desk though I don’t want anyone mucking with. Nor any of the art supplies located there. That is the one tiny section of the house that is MINE.
Mark - same to you! Hope it’s a good one.
Joely - my imaginary world is very pretty. I wouldn’t want anyone mucking with that either. *smile*