This week I mourned the loss of my closest confidant.
We’ve been together for over six years. When the Hub was gone, I’d sometimes wake up to see that my old friend had been in bed with me all night. (Occasionally with some drool where I’d fallen asleep.) He kept me company in Russia, India, Australia, across the US and Canada, and in many of the countries of Europe.
And I’d poured out my heart to him. He knew every one of my secrets, held every book I’d ever written, every thought I’d recorded over the past six years. Lately, though, he hasn’t been himself. He’s been slowing down, occasionally forgetting things. But then, so have I.
Then came the morning last week when I noticed that his peripherals weren’t responding.
I knew he wouldn’t want me to prolong his agony, but he held it together long enough for one last backup. The expert at the Genius Bar shook his head, and closed my old friend’s cover for the last time.
I left the store with his replacement, feeling guilty and excited. My old friend and I had been together for so long. Was I ready for a new relationship already? Or would this just be a rebound fling? At home, I connected the peripherals, turned on the new guy, and stood back. He hummed gently, sucked in the backup data, and lit up the monitor, while I held my breath. Would we get along? Would he be good in bed?
“Restore from backup?”
It was scary, but I clicked yes. More humming.
Then, before my eyes, my old friend rose from the dead. He’s back—bigger, stronger, faster, with a shiny unmarked face and more memory. He did not go gently into that dark place with no 1s and 0s. Nope, he’s got a much bigger drive and he’s ready to party. And… I hope this doesn’t make me sound shallow, but it’s true. Size matters. My New Old Friend is just so big…and powerful.
I wish that worked for people too.
The Silent Explorer said:
Haha… This is cool. The way you tricked the reader. Nice writing. Subscribed!
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barbtaub said:
I’m glad you liked the post. Thanks so much for the follow!
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cindy knoke said:
Loved this!
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barbtaub said:
Thanks, Cindy!
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lindahuber said:
You had me worried there… 🙂
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barbtaub said:
Score!
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Cathy said:
😀 😀
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barbtaub said:
Thanks!
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Pingback: RIP my old friend…or not. – mudasplantasnativas
sknicholls said:
Only you could weave such a tale about switching to a new computer. Would he be good in bed? LMAO 🙂
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barbtaub said:
It’s important to keep priorities straight!
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Judith Barrow said:
Reblogged this on Judith Barrow.
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barbtaub said:
Thanks so much for the reblog!
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Judith Barrow said:
My old buddy chugs along. One day … one day…
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Georgia Rose said:
Brilliant Barb, I loved this and being in a similar position with a new super slim, sleek and silently strong new buddy myself and wish you all the best for this burgeoning relationship 😉
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barbtaub said:
Well, we’re still finding out about each other’s little quirks, but I think it’s the beginning of a beautiful relationship.
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Georgia Rose said:
I’m finding the same, mine has the odd habit of nodding off at peculiar times and forgetting what I had open which is proving tiresome. Also he seems to not be keen on me ‘liking’ things and forgets that I’m logged in to WordPress for commenting – I don’t want to be demanding but he has to learn what my needs are 🙂
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barbtaub said:
For your computer and your dog, you really get to be the Center of the Universe. (As opposed to your cat and your car, which you live to serve…)
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ksbeth said:
i feel your pain. i lost my laptop to a sudden coffee tsunami on thanksgiving.
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barbtaub said:
That’s so tragic! [wipes away tear]
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TanGental said:
I had to go back and check on the drool, as you do. I kind of wish I hadn’t now, but hey I’m pleased you’ve re found love. That’s good, hey!
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barbtaub said:
My new boy toy MAC is all the things his predecessor could only aspire to…
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mirymom said:
Reblogged this on Mirymom's Blog and commented:
🙂
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barbtaub said:
Thank you so much for the reblog!
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Real. Life. Parenting. said:
Heheeee!! I feel the same love for my MacBook. ❤
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barbtaub said:
There’s just something about the way those badboys glow their little apples!
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Mary Smith said:
The King is dead, long live the King. I wish you a long and happy relationship.
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barbtaub said:
As Bogie said,
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Mary Smith said:
And I am so, so glad it wasn’t the dog, which I feared in the first few sentences!
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quiall said:
Bloody hell you had me fooled! I was starting to tear up! (I’m SUCH a softie!) That was great!
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barbtaub said:
It’s really true. I have NO shame…
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Elyse said:
You had me. Here I was feeling all callous for imposing on you with a rewrite … Well done!
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barbtaub said:
[bows modestly and accepts the flowers]
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Elyse said:
Grrrrrrrrrr.
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ichabod2014ic said:
You got me.
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barbtaub said:
Hooray!
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marysue said:
ACK ! I thought your dog had died …
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barbtaub said:
My work here is done. (But really… wrong pronoun. The dog wants you to know she’s a SHE.)
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Ali Isaac said:
Haha! Excellent post, Barb. You’re so funny! 😁
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