Sunshine in a Jar

Archive for January, 2010

When did buying a computer become more challenging than buying a car?

It was a beautiful sunny day. The perfect weather for test driving cars.  Since it was Labour Day Weekend I could only find one car dealership open.  I asked to test-drive a Vibe.  The salesman said he had something I might like better.

When I met George it was love at first sight. He is a shiny red two door Pontiac G5.  I was the first customer to test drive him. Without hesitation I said, “I’ll take it.”  I had bought my first car. I named him King George the Fifth.

Now I need to buy a computer–another major purchase.  My first challenge is I don’t whether I want a laptop or desktop.  Currently, I have a desktop that is 6 years old.  It hisses at me each morning. Sometimes it just stops for a cat nap in the middle of my work.  I also have a laptop I bought on eBay. It was used and I’ve had it for at least 4 years. 

I use both computers. Right now I am typing on my desktop.  When I go to writing retreats or to the cottage, I use the laptop.  At this time I can’t afford to replace both but I need both.

My students advise me to get a desktop.  My parents voted for laptop.  My brother thinks a laptop will ruin my posture and give me carpel tunnel.  A friend of mine said “everybody is buying laptops.”  Another friend of mine described in great detail the horrors that can occur if I turn my back or forget about a laptop–theft, dropping it, etc.

For a month I have gone to various websites to build custom laptops and desktops. There are so many more decisions to make in a language I no longer understand.  And then there is monitor size to consider…

What are your recommendations dear visitor?

This morning I woke up at 5 am and forced myself to stay still until 5:30 am.  Where does our energy come from?

I remember doing an activity once where I wrote down all the activities in my life that give me energy on green recipe cards and all the activities in my life that take my energy away on yellow recipe cards–I think it was from an Oprah webinar I couldn’t resist…curiosity leads to interesting paths.

Does my energy this week suggest that I have filled my life with green cards? Or is it from resting over the holidays?

Where does your energy come from?

I wish I could bottle moments like this in a jar and put a shot of joy in my tea each morning.

It’s about finding the right balance of energy, surrounding yourself with people you love, doing meaningful work, dancing as often as possible, singing in the shower, savouring each bite, being aware of the interconnectedness of everything, expressing gratitude, and seeing the world with love.

So…today started off brilliantly. I was up before 6 am without an alarm–this was a blessing. The power went off yesterday and when I reset my clock I mixed up the AMs and PMs so the alarm wouldn’t have gone off…yikes!

I arrived to work 30 minutes earlier than my usual time. I was efficient and productive. A superstar teacher.  Until lunch. Then I wanted a nap.

The first day back to work after time off (in this case two weeks) is wonderful and challenging. While I was thrilled to return to a routine after two weeks of smorgasborging on television, books, and time with friends and family, I was surprised by how the whole day seemed to pass in slow motion. It took twice as long to do everything: photocopying, writing a journal topic on the board, taking attendance. 

And then, as prepared as I felt driving into work today, I had forgotten about the pile of work I had left behind.  When I opened my desk drawer, there it was winking at me with its devilish grin.

I’m sure by Wednesday I’ll be in full gear and the holidays will be a distant glimmer of a memory.