After a long hot exhausting day, I’ve run out of gas for writing a review. So instead, here’s what I’ve been and going to be up to.
Today
This afternoon, I got an email telling me my 3 year old MAC desktop computer was fixed, and I should come and get it. It is so much easier for me to write on my desktop rather than my MacBook Air that I save for travel. I braved the traffic and went to the Apple Store.
OMG was that store noisy! There was a guy giving a lecture, it looked like, to no-one. A baby was shrieking constantly. And then there was the general noise from about 75 people talking. Oy.
After checking in with the “greeter”, another woman finally brought out my computer in its travel box. She wished me good luck. I told her that I needed help replacing all the data that had been on my computer that was now erased. She said she would start me off, but she couldn’t stay to help me. I told her that the guy I originally gave my computer to more than 2 weeks ago said someone would help me rebuild the computer once it was fixed. She then said that the woman who was the “greeter” at the door could help me if I got stuck. Gee, thanks.
Right off the bat I had problems. The iMac was completely empty since they had to replace the logic board and adapter board. First, I set up the passwords that I needed, but the “new” iMac told me my Apple ID and password were incorrect. They weren’t because I had 3 additional Apple products that were using them just fine. I tried going to ask the Greeter to help me, but she completely ignored me when I approached her.
I tried another woman, and she said she was also a Greeter, but she would find someone to help me. Another woman came over after several minutes, and by then, I had set up my laptop to try to transfer the data from little MacBook Air with its little hard drive so at least I’d have something going on. The woman helped me get the transfer going, and then she disappeared. It only took about 10-15 minutes because my laptop holds so little data.
When that woman returned, I told her that I was missing the majority of my data and could we try to download it from the Cloud. She got that going, but it didn’t seem to work correctly either.
Turns out I did manage to get all of my photos and my MSWord files from my former business from 1993-2018. But without the software I had, I can’t read them. I can’t even open them. I have to download OpenOffice once they update the free-alternative to MSWord so that I can open all my Word files. Ugh.
However, since something went wrong with the Cloud data transfer, I ended up permanently losing everything that had been on my desktop: the recording of Jeff’s younger daughter singing “At Last” at her high school talent show, my friend Brian who died several years ago being interviewed on NPR for a couple of the books that he wrote, copies of the media interviews with me from my days in advertising, an old TV commercial for Kia with cute hamsters, and all of my files from 2022-the present. I am somewhat depressed, but hopefully, this too shall pass.
Tomorrow
I’m excited about tomorrow because Jeff and one of my good friends are going to an Omakase dinner, i.e. “the chef’s choice”.
A local but well known Japanese chef, Sang Lee, will be making, I think, 7 courses of handrolls for us with whatever fish and vegetables are fresh tomorrow.
The dinner itself is at a wine store in Gloucester, Savour, and the chef seats up to 10 people at a seating. There are 3 seatings each night. I wonder if there will be other people there besides us? Regardless, I am super-psyched!
The Weekend
On Friday, Jeff and I are going on a 2.5 hour boat ride around the island part of Cape Ann (Gloucester and Rockport). It’s called the Lighthouse Tour because it passes by all of the lighthouses in the two towns. My friend K and I did this “journey” two years ago on a beautiful day, and we really enjoyed it. I thought that Jeff might like it as well, so we’re going on Friday afternoon. Keep your fingers crossed for good weather!
On Saturday evening, we’re going to see a performance of “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” performed by an innovative local theater company, Lane’s Coven, who we’ve seen in the past. Last year, we saw their hilarious version of “The Importance of Being Earnest” and a wonderful production of “Romeo and Juliet”. In addition to the excellence of the group, the venue, Windhover – the original site of a modern dance company – is quite interesting as well. The stage is under a tent with open sides, so again wishes for good weather on Saturday night are welcome!
Finally, on Sunday, we’ll go to the Beach Club in the afternoon, again weather permitting. They’re having their yearly “Walk Off the Beach Party” at 5pm, so it will be nice to stop by the club for a glass of wine or a beer and some appetizers.
So all is not lost! Hopefully, the local IT guy who is supposed to call me about my website will eventually do so, and eventually, I’ll get my desktop back in some kind of order. And at least this weekend, I’ll have some fun!
I certainly hope that you’ll have some fun times this weekend as well. Let me know what you’re up to! And enjoy the fleeting summertime!
I am so sorry you had that experience at the Apple store. When I bought my laptop 6 years ago, it was complete chaos at my local one. Someone should have helped you with your data from start to finish.
Thank you, Paula, for understanding. xo I was very disappointed, and their lack of concern seems to have permanently screwed things up for me. Oh well, at least I have my photos and old business docs.
Let me know if you need a phone witch, because I am currently in the mood to go nuclear. I’m on hold on the phone with Amazon and you can imagine how cheerful and happy I feel about it.
Oh no, did you finally reach an Amazon human? My condolences xo
Yes I did and I prevailed. I will share important wisdom with you: Always ask to speak to a supervisor. No matter what you are told about every employee having the same options. Talking to a supervisor is always better.
Couldn’t agree more! Brava you!!!
I hope the new IT guy can help with recovery. We lost the video of our grandson being interviewed on the News and that was sad for me.
You have more packed into the next few days than I do for a month. I hope the boat ride and amazing dinner live up to (and surpass) expectations. Have fun.
I’m horrified by the way you were treated at Apple. You need to complain to someone higher up the food chain. Heck, I volunteer if you want a surrogate! I’m enraged!
You are sweet, as always xoxo I will get it together to call and see if I can get someone on the phone who can help me.
Oh Allison! An Apple computer nightmare! I can’t imagine losing all that material and all those memories. A complaint to that Apple Store might be in order, and a request that they take all possible measures to retrieve your data, or at least some of it.
Take care and enjoy the summer. It’s quite hot here (Santa Fe) now, but dry, and I miss the ocean in the summer. Meanwhile here we have red rock country with multi colored layers of clay making mountains with high mesas, from which you can see an ocean of colorful mesas. Come visit sometime before or after summer. Nancy
Nancy, it’s so nice to hear from you! And thanks for your sympathies with my IT problems, ugh. I was thinking about you not long ago. I hope in spite of not having the ocean nearby, you are enjoying life in NM! I’ve never been there (though I have been to AZ many times), but I would love to see SF! Keep cool!
I would suggest using Dropbox…i support a number of charities and we all use it. Not only does it provide server storage for your files, but it also maintains several older versions of each file and your data can be accessed from a number of devices. I’ve found that the AppleCare folks are excellent while to stores are too crowded.
Actually, I have Dropbox. It’s very expensive now. I will most likely buy an external hard drive, but thanks for your suggestions. AppleCare is quite helpful, I agree, but for hardware problems the store is a necessary evil.