My computer has been acting up lately. Not just the minor errors that you just close the window and try again, but the kind where it becomes all but unusable.

I’ve tried everything I can think of:

• chkdsk /F
• Virus Scan (3 different ones no less! AVG, Avast, and Webroot Antivirus)
• Spyware Scan (4 different ones)
• HijackThis! logs
• Defragment
• Disk Check

Each and every scan comes up clean. The only scan I couldn’t do (which still grinds me) is a ram analyzer. It’s a program I had to burn to a CD and then run during boot-up. I discovered that my boot order is strange: it doesn’t boot the removable disks before the hard drive. So that test won’t work, not without figuring out how to force my Compaq to check the disks first.

I’ve added memory and then taken it back out. Tested with only one stick and then swapped it for the other. It’s been especially bad in World of Warcraft, which I’ve had to uninstall and reinstall several times because various game files wind up corrupted or simply damaged. All my friends, even though in tech jobs, have run out of suggestions.

Of course my mom, despite claiming to be as computer illiterate, does everything she can to help me. Naturally, she’s the one to point out classes start soon and my computer is basically worthless. Will I be able to do my homework? Oh, crap!

She’s also the one to come up with the ultimate solution, “Give up and just look for a new computer.” And then almost as quickly says, “Just no more Compaq’s.”

I mutter something about maybe building my own. She points out what I’ve always wanted to, that it has to be easier by now, and that I’d be getting what I want.

Moms really do know best.

To be fair, I haven’t exactly lost my backpack. It’s hanging up in the laundry room. But it has — finally — worn out.

Have you ever had one of those pieces of clothing or accessories that you love? It’s your favorite and/or has lasted practically forever and you just know you’re going to cry when it finally wears out?

About fifteen years ago, I found this great, dark green backpack. It was heavy canvas, had a ton of pockets, and has worn like iron for all these years. I had it all through High School and most of college; its hauled books, countless groceries, and even a cat or two. Back when I was in school, it was my portable locker. (I seldom kept anything but my coat in my locker. My partner wasn’t exactly known for securing it when she was done. In fact, it was actually pretty risky even being at the locker whenever she was there. More than once, I had a heavy book dropped on my head because she was in such a god-forsaken rush.)

In college, it held martial arts equipment, fencing equipment, books, gym clothes, photography things, and incredibly huge books. More than once over all those years, I emptied it out and used it to go buy groceries.

Lately, it’s been hauling my tools, clipboards, jacket, extra drinks, and other items for work. It’s been thrown under tables, hung up on rough pipes, and exposed to who-knows-what.

So it’s not like it didn’t have every right to eventually fall apart. But all the same, it did.

The neighbors have been letting their cats loose, which doesn’t sit well with any of my girls. I should have known and hung the bag up. It didn’t help that I played hooky on Tuesday for a variety of reasons, which always makes things worse. Either way, I left it on the floor and right in harm’s way. So, Echo kind of expressed her irritation by anointing it. I didn’t think, sprayed a little Simple Solution on it, and threw it in the washer like I’ve done for years.

And… it now has several huge holes in it.

Which leaves me with the task of finding a brand new bag that will (hopefully) last me as long as this one has. In the meantime, I am bummed about loosing my favorite bag!

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Phonecalls from Brad after midnight: 2 out of 3

Last night, I was finishing up some final things before bed and the phone rings. I looked over at my caller ID and saw it was Brad, again. I was so annoyed, I didn’t bother picking up. He may stay up super late and then get up at noon, but I freaking have classes. He knows that.

No more. Next phone call after midnight, I’m telling him not to call me anymore.

Haven’t even gone on a date with him and he’s already hit my screw-it point.

Well, Brad called and chickened out of the date.

He said there was nothing he wanted to see, but then asked if I wanted to drive all the way to Greenville (30+ minute drive one-way) to play Final Fantasy and listen to him play his guitar.

Umm, no.

So, I told him that we’d try for another time. But to be honest, I’ve lost interest. (Actually, to be really honest I think I lost interest after the 2am phone call.) The “come over to my house and play FF” for a first date just put the last nail in the coffin.

Anyway, logged into WoW and played until I was level 9. Found out I can’t send or receive mail either, or do much with the bank. *frowns* I hope my Battlechest gets here soon. Not having tells, mail, or bank access really sucks.

I’m more impressed in this game than ever. I’m officially hooked.

Much later, Theresa and Brandy hunted me down in game and surprised me. ^_^ I thought they were on a raid and suddenly they’re right in front of me. Talked a bit, Theresa invited me into Seventh Cavalry, and got some Hunter advice from Brandy.

Overall, it was a great night.