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August 24, 2004
A Puff of Smoke
Just a quick note to explain potential short-term silence on the blog and via email. Last night my monitor blew out (following in the foosteps of my modem, speakers, and DVD player). While I was writing my Fight Club paper, I heard a sudden popping sound, the image on the screen contracted, and then a puff of smoke rose out of the top of my monitor. Perhaps that's a sign that I shouldn't be talking about Fight Club after all.
I don't think this was an electrical problem, however. There were no storms last night, and nothing else on the computer was effected, as far as I can tell. Any guesses about what might have happened. Could a monitor just shut down like that (it is about three or four years old)? The good news: I may be able to borrow a monitor from a colleague for a while.
Posted by chuck at August 24, 2004 11:55 AM
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Comments
You seem to have the worst luck with this sort of thing. Are you teaching this semester? I should drop by your office hours sometime and visit.
Posted by: Titus Barik at August 24, 2004 12:22 PM
I've certainly had a bad run of luck on computer stuff. Maybe that means everything else will make up for it with good luck...
I am teaching on Tuesdays and Thursdays and usually in my office from 11:30ish to 1:30. Feel free to drop by.
Posted by: chuck at August 24, 2004 12:36 PM
I thought the first rule of fight club is that you don't talk about fight club.
Posted by: George at August 24, 2004 1:25 PM
Sorry to hear about all this, Chuck! I've had terrible luck with my PDA (had it replaced no less than three times already and need a new one now) over the past couple of years. BUT I've also had a hard time with computer keyboards, digital cameras and a couple other gadgets. My boss' mom thinks I have a higher electrical charge running through my body. But how about a "haunted media" read on that?!
Posted by: natalie at August 24, 2004 1:39 PM
George, it's also the second rule of fight club. Of course I'm writing (not talking) about Fight Club, so I'd hoped it wouldn't be a problem!
Natalie, I'm beginning to think that what I was writing was highly charged, but then again, maybe Project Mayhem did get to my computer....
I also have had to replace my DVD player recently....
Posted by: chuck at August 24, 2004 4:33 PM
Yeah, I am fearing that my laptop is dying.... terrifying.
As to writing vs. talking: I think maybe Fight Club is maybe making a commentary on the whole mediation thing. By killing your computer, I mean. See, it's all very meta...
Posted by: bitchphd at August 24, 2004 6:42 PM
I burn out electronics like nobody's business (you know those LED displays that are categorically unable to burn out? Yes, I've burned out 4 so far) and have found the best solution is to find a brand I like and stick with it.
Of course, this means that a new car stereo is out of my financial reach for a while, since I'm now an Aiwa/Sony faithful (and want a line-in feature for Hermes the iPod). Maybe Santa will bring one... *eyes the North Pole*
Posted by: Cassie at August 24, 2004 7:15 PM
I just discovered that the 2000 dollars and two and a quarter years I've spent waiting for the first stage of my green card may go to pot, which would entail starting from step 1 again. Hope this makes you feel better in comparison. Seriously.
Posted by: Chris Martin at August 24, 2004 9:31 PM
Chris, that's awful news. I know from talking to some colleagues that green card stuff can be really complicated and annoying. I'm sorry to hear it.
Posted by: chuck at August 24, 2004 9:36 PM