I’m going to stop saying I enjoy a good challenge.. at least for a couple hours

I’ve had a doozie of a week! Just yesterday alone, I faced:

• Computer wouldn’t boot again
• Laptop made a sparkling crackle noise when I unplugged it and it died. Now it will only run when plugged into the wall.
• After getting my desktop computer operating, the keyboard wouldn’t work
• After getting the keyboard working, Windows refused to use my local area connection and deemed the internet unavailable
• Meanwhile, my computer desk chair’s piston started to fail.  As I work I slowly lower to the floor.
• Had to go to town for a new power bar. A/C stopped working when I got into the truck.
• Upon check-out, my debit chip and swipe malfunctioned and my transaction was declined. I temporarily broke their machine!

But I persevered through it all! (not tear free, thank-you Jeff for putting up with me, Jeff has kept me sane and fed this week.)  And the truck A/C started again.  And my next transaction was approved.  And as my Dad said, I can always put cinder blocks under my chair to hold it up! Life is good!

Energy Audit

While troubleshooting tech problems, Jeff helped me do a little energy audit of my home office.  The theory I’m working on from the computer technician this week is that my big monster desktop might not be getting enough power. There is a 15 amp line servicing my office.  Turns out it services all the outlets in my office, and the hallway, and the basement lights, and possibly the guestrooms upstairs! And this is what I have drawing power just in my office alone:

• 1 stereo receiver with a tape deck component with tape deck plugged into it (rarely used, but still plugged in)
• 1 desk lamp
• 1 beautiful ceramic young fellow eating grapes lamp
• 1 speaker phone
• 2 Dell 24″ Ultrasharp monitors with USB ports and card readers
• 1 external hard drive
• 1 Phillips iPhone charger and speaker dock
• 1 keyboard, 1 mouse
• 1 ridiculously large desktop computer with an 850w power supply
• computer speakers with subwoofer
• 1 laser Lexmark printer
• 2 HP scanner/printers.. wait these are unplugged now
• 1 paper shredder
• 1 webcam
• 1 Apple router
• Wireless internet modem and antennae (outside, but plugged in, in my office)
• 1 Dymo label printer

On top of all of this, I also plug in the vacuum from time to time.  Our simple calculations equal one thing…. it’s time for an electrician.

The main panel for the house is in the basement, right below my desk, and it has room for additional  circuits.  Good news!

…  And you’re never going to believe this one, but while I was typing this blog post, THE POWER WENT OUT FOR 5 HOURS AND 18 MINUTES!  After working 14+ hour days lately, when we heard it was a problem with a transmission line and the power was going to be out for awhile, we drove down to the park and I jumped in the lake! Nothing more refreshing than a June 2nd swim in Canada 🙂