Pop a la Mode

So I’ve been conducting an experiment for the past two weeks with my iPod. It’s not very scientific nor is it going to solve all of the world’s mysteries.

I am seeing how many work days it takes to play all the songs on my iPod on a random shuffle. All 4,431 of them. My rule is that I play it only on work days when I am sitting in my office at my desk. No weekends, no skipping songs and no turning it off for lunch.

After almost 10 days of playing it for about 8 hours a day, I am currently on song 1,220 which happens to be “My Guy” by Mary Wells. There are songs on it that I have forgotten about and every now and then some random Christmas music pops out which is crazy.

But it’s been fun and I love having my music in the background when I’m working. I am much better when I have a soundtrack.

I’m guilty.

I just read this new study that came out today regarding people who work on vacation.

One in five people toted laptop computers on their most recent vacations, an AP-Ipsos poll released Friday said. Along with the 80 percent who said they brought along their cell phones, the survey shows going on vacation no longer means being out of the electronic loop.

I can’t help it. I have two cell phones (one that has e-mail) and a laptop. It’s too easy for me to stay in touch. I don’t think I’m a workaholic or anything like that but I do like to stay in the loop. I’d rather know what is going on then try and guess what’s happening at the office. I don’t like surprises.

I don’t reply to e-mails and voice mails unless it’s an emergency. And even then, there are four other capable people in my office that can handle it.

For me, checking my e-mail on vacation is more a way to keep me from having 400 e-mails to go through once I get back in the office. If I can check periodically and be able to organize them and delete what I don’t need, it makes returning to work that much easier.

So yes, I admit that I’m guilty of not taking a normal vacation. But really, what’s normal anymore? And if I’m able to relax and recuperate by checking my e-mail, leave me be. I promise I’m a happier person.

So I found this fun time killer on the internet today: how fast can you type?

I am currently at 53 words per minute but I know I can do better. Let me know how you do.

I’m not entirely sure how it happened, but I have become the resident geek of Cabana Condominiums.

If any of the geriatrics have a problem with their television, VCR, telephone, stereo or computer - I get the call.

Not that I have had any training in how to fix these things. I guess because I’m the youngest person around they figure that I must know what I am doing. I’m no expert by any means but I will play around with something until I figure out what’s wrong. I can’t break it any worse than it already is.

If a TV is on the blink, I fiddle around with the cable inputs and usually that helps.

If a phone isn’t working, I choose a new channel for the frequency and usually that helps.

If a stereo isn’t working, I shake it to hear if any CDs are jammed in there. Then I end up taking the back off the console and coaxing it out.

But computers - ah computers. All the elderly love to ask me their computer questions. Why won’t my keyboard work? Why is my Internet not working? Why did my screen change colors? All of this can usually be tracked back to a loose cable. And when I ask why it’s loose, they don’t know. Maybe it happened when they pulled on it too hard. Because they wanted to vacuum under it.

Hmmm. Maybe.

There’s this only lady in the complex that has to be pushing 85 and she wants to buy a computer. A laptop no less because she travels a lot you know.

I asked her, Ms. Florence, what on earth do you want a computer for? She said, and I quote, “Because I like that Charlie Rose fella and I want to listen to him whenever I want.”

Well okay then. I guess that’s a good enough reason.

I’m at home this weekend up in Virginia visiting the family; being fitted for a bridesmaid’s dress; and generally trying to do as little as possible. Except play with Chip - who is too cute for words.

Whenever I come home, there is always something with the computer that needs to be fixed or I need to figure out how it works. I’m no expert in computers or technology but I’ll fiddle around with something until I have a pretty good idea. If all else fails, cut it off and cut it back on again. Works for me.

On tap this weekend - Dad got a new computer with a built-in webcam. He says, “I want Isaiah to know who I am!” So there.

But of course, he asked me to get the thing running. So last night after dinner out with Ronald’s family, I turned in to figure out how it works. I downloaded Skype (the communication program) and got that all working but I still couldn’t get the video going. So we called my Uncle Jay - who has one and I figured could at least walk me through it.

But noooo, Dad had to drive. He wanted to make it work. So I stood to the side as he pushed buttons and generally didn’t do anything worthwhile. Finally, I slapped his hand away from the mouse and took over. Jay talked me through how to test the webcam and then finally we got it working.

The sad part is, Jay lives less than 1/4 mile up the hill from us. We could walk up there and see him way more easily than getting that webcam working.

At the end of it all, Mom asks, “How many Merricks’ does it take to make a webcam work?” The answer: too many.