He Got With The Program
I’ve known Ali for 12 years and in those 12 years I must have said, “Stop procrastinating and get with the program” about 3,120* times.
Well guess what? Yesterday Ali Got With the Program. Allow me to give you a quick overview of the aforementioned miracle:
7:00 am: “Ali, my computer has a DLL error.”
7:01 am: “Oh my God, that’s not good. Not good at all.”
7:02 am: Ali troubleshoots.
7:10 am: Ali backs up my computer.
7:20 am: Ali takes my computer to have his tech guys troubleshoot and leaves me with a Netbook.
8:30 am: My carpal tunnel is 200% worse thanks to a keyboard better suited to Maya’s fingers.
11:20 am: The Netbook shuts down on its own. Twice. I scream in frustration.
12:00 pm: I finally realize that my iPad can be useful at times.
4:00 pm: I shut the Netbook down. I turn the iPad off. My wrists and fingers thank me.
4:05 pm – 6:30 pm: Maya works my last nerve while at the park. I try to ignore her and Google “carpal tunnel treatments” on my iPhone.
6:35 pm: I come home to this:
A "Must Fix Ameena's Laptop Command Center" consisting of 3 laptops, an iPad, the much-hated Netbook, a backup drive, and a side of "America's Next Top Model."
When Ali means business…he means business. Now I just need to figure out how to get him to apply the same vigor when it comes to putting his clothes IN the hamper instead of on top.
In the meantime, please say a few prayers for my troubled laptop. My carpal tunnel would appreciate a prayer or two as well.
*5 times a week X 52 weeks a year X 12 years – please note this is a conservative estimate.
While I'm not going to win Mother/Wife of the Year Award anytime soon, I haven't killed anyone yet or shot myself in the head. And that, my friends, is how I calculate success these days. 
FANCY THAT FANCY THIS 
First, here’s some good thoughts coming your way about both the carpal tunnel and your laptop. Second – Wow about the command center set-up. Now that’s commitment. I’m thinking our laptop has to get fixed with all that attention. 🙂
yay for ali finally GETTING WITH THE PROGRAM!
i guess i never really understood what exactly that phrase meant…
i guess it can mean BE A GOOD HUSBAND in this case?!
Yikes! Good luck with your laptop! Computers are like cars – gifts that we can’t live without, but when they stop working it seems as though they crashed JUST to make our life harder. I’ve been there.
And I TOTALLY think we would be friends in real life : )
I love how your tag is “I found a use for my husband”. Classic. Yesterday I told the husband he should start reading my blog and he said, “No, I’d probably end up getting mad at you.” Well played husband… well played.
Hmm maybe you just need to find some way to relate everything you want Ali to do with broken technical devices. Like somehow convince him that if he puts his laundry in the hamper that he’ll stay virus-free for an indefinite amount of time. And if he doesn’t listen to you…well…mass attack of spyware on his computer.
LOL too funny. I hope your wrists get better :).
How is the writing, proposal going…?!
The writing is….going. It’s hard! It takes a lot more time than I thought to put a proposal together. But I’m happy that I’m still excited about the project. Thanks for asking!
Oh my…what is the difference btw your laptop and notebook? I’m not very savvy with this stuff, my laptop is as basic as it gets, but I’m greatful for it, lucky to have it at all.
Is Maya in school all day while you work?
The Netbook is just a smaller version of a laptop – so we can travel with it. Maya is in school while I work – and we are both grateful for the time apart. 🙂
Woah- your living room looks intense.
I’m an idiot when it comes to computer issues. I have no idea how they last longer than a year in my house. Seriously. The one area in my life where I am straight up lucky…
When they surprise you …, they really surprise you huh. I hear you with the carpal tunnel pain, never met a Chef who didn’t live with it.
telling him to fix your pc is probably an aphrodisiac. And are you telling me men NEVER learn to put clothes IN the hamper or IN the dresser even AFTER marriage? ::sigh:: it’s gonna be a hard life.
I know this would never happen what with Ali working for IBM (right?) but all I have to say is: Get a Mac. Best way to avoid tech problems ever.
By the way, you won my Uncle Sam giveaway. Ironic, because you’re the only gluten intolerant commenter that I know of. So, really, Maya won. Just shoot me an e-mail with the address I should send to the folks there. 🙂
If only I could channel my husband’s excited to get Thai takeout and watch the World Poker tour into activities like grocery shopping and planning date nights. That said, when it’s a technical issue, my husband – like yours – is totally on it. Hope your laptop comes back to life soon!!
woooooooooooooot! so exciting. well not the computer crisis.hope that returns to normal sometime really soon
That looks like every little boy’s, I mean man’s, dream come true!
Three cheers for Ali! Of course Maya wouldn’t make it an easier day for you, but can you really expect anything else? Best of luck to you with the carpal tunnel and laptop. 🙂
Sorry to hear about your laptop daaaaahling. I am absolutely distraught when i dont have the use of my beloved imac (my 2nd best friend after hubbykins).
*kisses* HH
hahaha, what is it with boys and their inability to put clothes in the hamper? It’s really not that hard.
And good luck with your laptops!!! I know it’s very frustrating when they get all sketchy and stuff but hopefully yours will be fixed soon!
Poor laptop, get well soon!
Poor Laptop.I hearad carpel tunnel syndrome is very bad. Sorry to hear about your hand and laptop.
you never cease to crack me up!
my mac is acting up…or my flip video camera…or both.
i am a tad scared to be un plugged..because my “areas” look like Ali’s a tad too often.
I am always getting growled at for hogging up bandwidth. haha
i love video streaming on my iPad while blogging…and knitting.
btw your scarf is DONE!!! yipee.
it’s how I found out my video camera is not working…or my mac.
our laundry baskets have alternate piles too! haha
another post of yours that always makes me die laughing!
xoxox
I hear you loud and clear! What is up with these men. They have so much potential for household greatness and yet they can’t remember to pick their underwear off the floor! If you figure out how to get your man to get with the program please let me know how you did it so I can do the same! Good luck with the lap top. Computer probs are so frustrating.
we’re one video game console and ipad from looking like ali’s command post! we have a desktop, laptop and netbook…jeez.
usually when my computer goes bonkers i just shut it down and wait til Ian finds out its broken and I make sure im not home when he finds out. its easier and safer that way.
hehe, so funny!
in regard to husbands–you win some, you lose some! let’s hope Ali can master the hamper next!
What a good husband!! Now I just need to figure out a way to get my boyfriend to be useful . . .
lol I’ll keep your computer close to my heart all day!
Ugh! Nothing worse than a broken laptop. Mine is currently not working, and I swear, it’s like I lost a limb or something!
Maybe I should send it to the Ali command center!
Yay Ali!!! We’ll work on the hamper thing a little at a time. At least that’s what I keep telling myself to keep me sane. I’ll give him credit for having the clothes somewhat close to the hamper though. My hubby has his nowhere close to ANY hamper…argh.
Hope your hands feel better soon, Ameena! TGIF! That’s how I’m feeling right now after spending a day at K’s playschool. Have a great weekend, dear!
That’s pretty awesome that Ali is putting so much effort into fixing your laptop! Fingers crossed that it’s up and running soon!
serious business, indeed! all good thoughts going your (and your laptops’) way. and, for the record, i’m still laughing about the “conservative estimate” bit! 🙂
I see that picture and just think about what a mess Austin would make if let loose in your “command central” – My laptop has no shift key or “t” key due to ravishings by my not-so-delicate youngster…
What would we ever do without technology? Or the husbands who fix it when it breaks?! Sending prayers your way!
By the way, I love your header as well… looks like a perfectly delicious way to start the day!
hope all the issues get resolved soon!
That’s so lovely – how your husband tries to solve all your troubles. Have you tried to convince him that he saves you from misery when he puts his clothes where they belong? 😉
I hope your hands don’t hurt anymore! And I’m crossing my fingers for your laptop! It’s so nasty when they don’t function as they should.
My Netbook really bothered my carpal tunnel at first too (I have this pinched nerve disease remember?!) but when I got a real mouse to attach, it was A LOT better.
I wish some of Ali’s “must fix Ameena’s laptop” would transfer to my mom. She’s a computer tech but has been putting off fixing my slowly dying laptop. It’s driving me insane. I wish mine would get a DLL error (whatever that is), then maybe she’d take it more seriously.
Hopefully you’re laptop gets fixed ASAP!
Oh, that is too funny.Well, we know what his niche is for sure. Pretty hilarious that America’s Next Top Model was on in the background.
Hoping your laptop gets fixed soon!
I’m feeling for you! I’m petrified of something happening to my laptop. Really, I don’t know what I would do. I’d be calling Ryan in for support…and hopefully he’d be able to get the job down. I’m sending healing thoughts your way!
Honestly, I thing the reason I might actually get married is so I can have someone kill scary spiders for me and fix my techno toys. thats about it.
Wow, he takes his computer detailing seriously! I hope your computer (and your carpal tunnel) feel better soon! 🙂
That is a pretty impressive command center 🙂 I don’t know much–but I have often seen men get with only when it includes something “manly” or somthing they are talented at. I think they just blow off other household chores–I can’t get my husband to put a dish in the dishwasher to save his life.
oh man, computer problems are the worst, especially since i virtually know nothing about them and every little error gives me a minor heart attack. hope everything works out real soon! enjoy your weekend! 🙂
Can I say that I am in ardor of your posts that have the line by line playback of your family life? It just materializes for me what MATTERS…
And…while I will pray for technological revolution, I will also support you in investing in a new computer. I bought a PC in SEP 2009, and after multiple months of struggling with its manic episodes, I realized I was in an abusive relationship. I bought myself a MAC…a small one, but we have a mutually respectable partnership. I still have the PC, but feel so proud that I put my money where my values are…
🙂
Aw how sweet! I’m sorry about your laptop. I hope everything turns out okay! 🙂
That’s so great!
I must admit that I think my husband holds me hostage in our relationship because of his technical skills.
Good luck with the clothes now…
LOL….you kept count?!
I had computer problems myself last week. My trusty old powerbook or 5/6 years finally bit the dust last tuesday. That left a void in me for a next few days. I really felt like I was going through computer withdrawal. How sad is that????? hahaha… So I finally upgraded my mac and went pro. Thanks to some lovely angel watching over me. Now I’m back in business. Good thing too as my projects are beginning to pick up. It was meant to be.
Oops…meant to write of, not or. I’m still getting used new feel of the computer. 🙂
I think I need to show my man a picture of that command center so he can understand what, exactly, The Program is.
Bummer that you have Carpal Tunnel – it’s the most horrible thing, but like the most awful to admit. Will send good vibes your way. For real.
Hopefully you’ll get your laptop back and running! Btw ever consider getting a mac laptop?? –> sry not sure what it’s called exactly.
Computer troubles are the WORSE, because I live in computer world. I wish I had a best friend who is computer savvy!
That was an impressive local computer support service! Sorry about your carpal tunnel – stretches and frequent breaks from the computer helped me.
the * estimate at the bottom cracks me up. aww you guys have been together 12 years?! haha. I saw that episode of ANTM! That is another one of my fave fall TV shows I meant to tell you after you commented on the post where I asked. I LOVED that photo shoot pictured, so creative and the models looked stunning. i’m a big kayla fan. what about you?!
Kayla is gorgeous! There are some interesting girls on this seasons…I think that super tall girl (can’t remember her name) is way too skinny! And the mean/bitchy girl (can’t remember her name either) needs to go…I am too addicted to this show and I need to get a life. 🙂
LOL – I can so relate to this post. You have a great writing style 🙂