The Journey of 1,000 Miles Begins With a New Computer

This is how I know grad school is really happening:  We bought a new computer today.

I will tell you that this is the most engaged I've ever been in the purchase of technical equipment.  We only buy a computer like once a decade, so I have to summon memories of the last time we went through this process, and all I can remember is that it was our first Mac and I was thrilled about iTunes.  It's been that long.  (This time we so did not get a Mac.  I am so not as much of a Mac person as I had hoped to be.)

I'll spare you the details because they're not even remotely interesting.  Except for this one thing.

I work with a ton of computer nerds and I grilled them on where we should go and what we should buy since we don't need anything super high tech or fancy schmancy.  They recommended that we skip the Best Buys and Wal Marts and head out of town to a place called Micro Center.

I knew we were in the right place when I asked a guy for help buying a computer and he said - and I quote - "Do you want a pre-packaged one or to design your own from scratch?"  When I started giggling and couldn't stop - and then when G joined in - he gently led us to the pre-packaged area.

See?  Not kidding.

Build Your Own PC?  Who ARE these people?

You can guess what got G's attention.  New headphones for his X-Box playing - everyone wins!

Score!  Now if computers would just write papers for us...

I don't think you understand the significance of this new purchase and what it means.  It was so important that we got out in this weather:

Quick lunch in the car while running errands (we're parked!).  Yes, that sign reads 13 degrees. 

This purchase means that grad school is happening.  All my books for this semester have come in.  It's gettin' real up in here.  It's all Faulkner and Cather and Hemingway.

But!  I'm prepping for a girls' weekend!

This is just the beginning...

I just have to force myself through three days of work this week, then a colossal grocery trip, then I'll have 4 days with my peep to eat, drink, drink and relax.

I think I can handle that.  Now I just have to figure out that newfangled computer.