To report yet another computer-related emergency. A drink got dumped into my keyboard last night (accidentally, and not by me), and the computer is no longer working at all. I'm posting this on a borrowed Apple laptop, and taking my own machine somewhere this morning to see whether anything can be done for it. If I am slow in responding to e-mails, or miss a few days on the blog, this is why. Sorry.
The moral of this story is to be careful about what you ask Santa for. I asked Santa for a vacation, and I suspect that this is his way of forcing one on me. Nevertheless, when I said "vacation," I meant some place with sandy beaches and green lawns and drinks at poolside. I have a large manuscript and three research books I can work on today without needing a computer. So there, fat man.
All the same, I might go to the movies this afternoon.
This morning's news about President Ford is not a surprise, but it's sad all the same. One of my projects this year confirmed my childhood impression: he was an honest and honorable man asked to do an impossible job, and he never got the gratitude he deserved.
Instead of five random songs today, here are my five favorite CDs of 2006. I don't buy a lot of new music, and don't pretend to have my finger on the pulse of the music world -- I just liked these a lot.
Roseanne Cash, Black Cadillac. This CD came out the week Mom died, and Jen Lechner gave me a copy that I have been listening to ever since. Words can't express how much I love this album.
Belle & Sebastian, The Life Pursuit. Fine, call them precious. Call them twee. I love this record, folk-pop for smart people.
The Pernice Brothers, Live a Little. Joe Pernice combines tragic lyrics and happy tunes better than almost anyone.
Madeline Peyroux, Half the Perfect World. She sounds like Billie Holiday; she sounds like Diana Krall; she sounds like no one but herself. Her covers of "River" and "Smile" are brilliant, and she makes "The Heart of Saturday Night" her own.
Scissor Sisters, Ta-Dah. Nothing but a good time, the perfect record to brighten a gloomy day.
8 comments:
What you wrote about President Ford is so true.
Ouch..although now maybe you'll switch to Apple.
Merry Xmas belated, and thank you for the gift of this blog this year. I read and enjoy it daily, and want to say a public thank you for this. You do an amazing job of writing about your life and at the same time, writing for your readers. Few people manage this so well, and I can't wait for a new year of answers.
XO
Tom
Thanks, Tom!
Ashton, who unfortunately upset his beverage into the machine last night, says he'll buy me a new computer if I agree to switch to Macs.
It's tempting, but you know how change-averse I am. I'd still be using WordPerfect, if I could. I deeply resent having to learn the new IE toolbars, and still feel suspicious about the "improved" Blogger.
I pledge fifty bucks to the convert-Clair-to-Mac fund right now. Really. Switch over from the dark side and I will gladly support the choice! Any other takers?
I like John Hodgman much more than the other guy in the Mac ad. Stay with the PC
R
The Scissor Sisters are growing on me. They're just good.
Sorry about the computer. Santa answers in his own way, I guess.
MAC all the way (our neighbors just got the new iMac -- WITH Word XP -- and it's the coolest thing EVER! and this from me, who loves my iMac to death without XP).
Sue
ps when you don't yell at me, I love your blog, too--and even when you do, I read it daily!
xox and HAPPY NEW YEAR (comes visit in 2007--lots of bad weather in the forecast!)
Sue
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