Officially More Intelligent Than My PC

I know computers are supposed to be cleverer than the average human, and that they're supposed to be the ultimate problem solver; but sometimes I'm sure I could run circles around them. Like today...

I have been reading the latest blogs in my feed, and subseqently commented on one, and my computer went absolutely bonkers. It was opening webpage after webpage for about 5 minutes (I dread to think how many pages it had opened at the end of it all); when finally it decided it couldn't continue, had a little panic and beeped at me. Failing the Ctrl-Alt-Del function (which I tried a few times), I ended up having to restart the computer.

Now, I'm no Bill Gates, but I spend about 90 hours a week on the computer, and I know how to work it. And I know this isn't normal behaviour. And I don't know about you, but if I behaved like that at my job; I'd be out the door. Well, perhaps not, but my colleagues would wonder how I'd got past the interview. I think I should sack my PC.

But this isn't the only weird IT issue I've had today. My usual computer has given up the ghost, taunting me with crazy error messages until I had to accept defeat and walk away. The technician (only a phone call away; they're quite useful really) says the hard drive has gone, rendering all my documents inaccessible.

I suppose I'm lucky it wasn't sparking at me, lol. Needless to say; it's been a very strange day, and I've decided this office is as mad as a box of frogs. But as you know; these things seem to happen to me. It's only been a couple of months since I blew up another computer (incidentally, it's the one I'm currently using to tell you this story!)

So, probably quite wisely; I decided I should put a distance between myself and technology (if only for an hour), and I set about sorting out my new passport. Since the application is so awkward (I'm changing my name, but not yet married into the name; my current passport is foreign, even though I'm not...), I chose to take it to the Post Office and pay a fee for their "Check & Send Service", letting them check the details before sending it (since they know more about passport forms than I do) - and paying £78 for the privilege (I should point out that that cost is for the Check & Send service as well as the passport itself, so it's not a total robbery). This getting married malarkey is getting awfully expensive! But hopefully (all my digits crossed), I shall have my new passport, in my married name (yay!) in the next couple of weeks.

What I did learn today though, is that you get a free passport if you are over the age of 80. So that's... 55 more years until I'm eligible. And in that case, I shall hold off all my major travel until then, and reap the benefits :)

I had some pretty decent photos to go with my passport application, hooray! After years of looking pretty gormless on my passports (and having the guards chuckle too), I now take the time to make myself look gorgeous whenever I have to have photos taken. I first started doing this when I applied for my provisional driving license (I still haven't taken any lessons; I only use it for ID when buying alcohol - the UK are really tight on ID). The photos turned out okay too, except for my head looking a bit off centre. I must have a slouch!

And I'm officially back on the Weight Watchers wagon this week after gaining 1lb and weighing more than I did when I first collected my wedding dress.

So I'm sticking to the rules again, pointing everything I eat and refusing to go near chocolate and crisps (my two favourite things!). But this time next week will be a different story; because I will have succeeded!