under another sun

Up early and sorting out what I was going to read on Thursday. Had a pleasant relaxed morning, then the computers made war on me shortly before I was due to take the briefing at lunchtime. I was to join with Microsoft Teams. Then had problems with the wifi, then Microsoft teams wouldn't work at all, then in trying to sort out this created a completely new set of problems meaning I couldn't receive emails. Very stressed by this sudden IT rebellion, as I had intended to quietly read through the briefs and background information. Luckily Lorraine here to sooth me and try to sort it all out. She is a diamond. I managed the meeting using my laptop, and in the afternoon things sorted themselves out and I could use my desktop again. Briefing a so called 'creative wave'. They briefed a few teams, with people from South Africa, Germany, US and France and they wanted 10 ideas by this time tomorrow. I was sailing under a French flag and working with the charming Marlène in Normand...

Frustrated by an IT rebellion wasting the precious morning hours and generally workin' my nerve following an iTunes update failure. Sorted it out this afternoon with a system restore and by reinstalling all the Apple software. Off to Starbucks full of IT rage where I, slightly depressingly, found the section I was working on to be a load of tripe and onions. Then to the gym for a grrr-reducing workout. Followed by some shopping for a birthday present for Klaudia as recommended by Anton. Later I spoke to my Goddaughter on the phone, who was about to go off skateboarding on her new skateboard, and signing off with an affectionate 'bye weasel' to me as we finished talking, which I liked. Chatted to Anna too, for the first time in a while. Hard to believe it is ten years since I first saw Klaudia on her first day in the world. Quite focused this afternoon. Spoke to mum by phone and then using facetime from the iPad Toby and Romy bought her.  This was fun. More computer stuf...

A bloody day in the technology wars A rare earthquake under the English Channel at 8.00am today. Apparently buildings shook in Brighton, but I didn't notice it in the Twitten. No, for I was embroiled in technology wars. The Dell engineer called me to explain that, as he couldn't find a place to park, he was bumping the appointment to fix the computer. Sauron-voiced I encouraged him to change his mind, and he arrived with a new motherboard and a long magnetic screwdriver and, praise be, my computer now peforms perfectly. Calliope again investigating everything he was doing with great interest. However in the war against technology, one battle does not bring victory. For the knock I accidentally gave my metal-clad, Lacie external hard drive yesterday revealed itself as fatal. The data I'd been waiting to copy across to my PC is now toast. I have had the external hard drive for over four years, but the moment it is most needed, literally hours before reloading everything back...