I suppose the connotation of coming up for air is that one must have been under water first.

I have been drowning in stuff, but want you to know I am still here but not functioning on all cylinders.

1. I am still editing the book. My son is almost done doing a read-through.

1a. I serendipitously met my friend’s cousin who is an author and editor. He did a quick read through and loves it, especially the graphics, illustrations and photography. he calls my project a labor of love. He is going to go over everything before I submit, and after submission, again, to make sure everything is ok.

I emailed the person in charge of my project and never got a reply. So I called. She claimed she didn’t know she had to reply. (See my eyes begin to roll?) I asked about getting the book into The Library of Congress. Get this. Had I gone to press previously I couldn’t file. Luckily everything is now hung up so the filing can be done. Copyright too. So I just paid another $245. That is in addition to at least 2 more blocks of corrections at $100. I can’t give up now. It seems the guy in charge of marketing my book left. No one seems to have picked up my folder to alert me to these things. Had I not called the young lady who didn’t get in touch with me, had I not asked, I would not have known.

2. Now more stuff. Computer of course.

While reading through my manuscript Adobe did an automatic update and forever prevented me from being able to use the Reader again. It was nuts. One minute everything was fine and the next things were awry. There I was beginning a chain of calls to tech support.

At one point I was told that Vista was probably causing compatibility issues and the best thing to do would be to upgrade my operating system. I had thought about doing this and so I agreed and purchased from Dell, Windows 7 ultimate and an external hard drive.

On Sunday, with a Dell technician with remote access I did a clean install of Windows 7 Ultimate, backed everything up on the new external hard drive–this is the laptop that is not even a year old that I often rant about. I was on the phone with a Dell technician for 2 days. many times I have spoken to Dell techs and am told that I will get an email so that if there is any problem I can respond to it and they will call me back.

I think I have dealt with about 10 in the last few months. Never got an email.

Of course when I hung up with the fellow ding the install, within minutes of using the computer an old problem resurfaced: wonky keyboard. I had typed an email the night before and noticed the problem. I tried doing a blog and noticed the problem. Can you believe that words would break up and embed themselves into previous lines leaving me with gobbledegook, leaving you with the impression that I am inebriated??

I spoke to at least 4 more technicians. I typed while they watched in disbelief via remote access. No matter whether I typed on notepad, in DOS, in a word document, the letters went flying. BUT if I typed on an external keyboard (as I am now doing) there was no problem.

I was promised a solution and a call back, never got it. The next day,
Tuesday, I called again. livid. Finally, an authorization was given to replace my keyboard. The next day a technician called to make an appointment and was at my house in the afternoon.

The keyboard was installed. Everything was fine. I typed. My son typed.
That was yesterday.

Today I started doing a blog and THE SAME THING HAPPENED! WITH THE NEW KEYBOARD! I was at my wits end.

I called again, this time I got the Philippines, not India, and after an hour on the phone the level 2 technician suggested I reinstall the operating system. Hello, I just did that on Sunday. Windows 7, latest and greatest. ULTIMATE EDITION. More stable than Vista Bells and whistles. Ok, then we will send another keyboard. Another keyboard??? Dell is going to pay for, deliver and install another keyboard?? Well, ok. And I am told if THAT doesn’t work they will think about other options like replacement. REPLACEMENT is beginning to sound good because I think this computer needs an exorcist.

Mind you THIS is the 64-bit computer that Trend Micro Security used remotely to try to trouble shoot THEIR problem; from the time I got the computer in March to last August they were attempting to figure out why their software wasn’t running on 64-bit computers…on MY computer…hours and hours a week.

When the technician came yesterday he marveled at how NEW and nice and clean and scratch free my computer was. Only one problem. It’s wacky!! So I am using it now with an OLD external keyboard.

Waving and saying, “here I am guys.” Just want you to know I am around and just a bit in disbelief.

In disbelief.

reply greenwytch wrote on Feb 25, ’10 holey moley. damn and double damn. some things just remain out there in the cyber twilight zone…….not a clue of what to say to you. i am just waving back from the corn field, to which we seem to have been wished away. for whatever it is worth, i am still here, and thinking you many positive thoughts. *sigh*

reply rosiefielding2 wrote on Feb 25, ’10 Oh my what bad luck for you, do not allow it to make you feel negative we all get hitches , i have had probs with my pc but all is well now good luck my friendRosiex

reply greenwytch wrote on Feb 25, ’10 the energies have been positively *odd* of late.

reply ladywolf11 wrote on Feb 25, ’10 lollllllllllllllll when I stop laughing – well I still have no words to say lol what countries have you talked to and is one better than the other lol do they talk to each other and since hes coming out to replace have him try it out and see if it still goes wacky, lol I am so laughing lol I have no clue what half of what you were saying- I am lucky I can turn on the computer but stilly you gave me the best laugh today I hope you get it fixed, I do, just keep the good feeling and good luck with your book 🙂 🙂

reply greenwytch wrote on Feb 25, ’10 *biting my fingers*

reply sousonne wrote on Feb 25, ’10 sanssouciblogs said I asked about getting the book into The Library of Congress. Get this. Had I gone to press previously I couldn’t file. Luckily everything is now hung up so the filing can be done. Copyright too. So I just paid another $245. It’s been a while since I copyrighted something, but when I did it, it certainly didn’t cost $245 (Mine was more like $10, and now I think I remember my friend saying it was a tad more…maybe $50?) And, when I filled out the copyright forms, at least when I did it, it was automatically registered with the Library of Congress….in fact there was also a box to check if you were willing to allow them to make it available in Braille for the blind. I can’t believe all of the money you’ve spent/invested in this project, and the company that you’ve used has most definitely misrepresented themselves and their services. LOL…If I was a suing kind of person, I’d think you would have a pretty good court case for this one.I’m glad that you got your son to go over your work…I’m sure that he’ll be a lot more careful than those who you’ve paid to do it. It’s also wonderful that you’ve been introduced to a real author/editor. Did you happen to ask him about copyrighting?Personally, I wouldn’t have fooled around with your computer as long as you have….I would have requested a new replacement, since no one seems to be able to fix the one you have. Hang in there….one good thing about everything being so bad is that it can only get better from here!

reply shoppingdreams wrote on Feb 25, ’10 They need to give you a new freaking computer! I have a Dell laptop and have never had issue with it, something is wrong with that computer!About the book, I’m glad you have people helping you, but I hate those publishers! Hang in there, hugs!

reply sweetpotatoqueen wrote on Feb 25, ’10 sanssouciblogs said I emailed the person in charge of my project and never got a reply. So I called. She claimed she didn’t know she had to reply. Obviously,client relations aren’t a priority for this publisher. You know my thoughts on this…why can’t be just do their jobs without having to be coaxed into participation of their responsibilities? Geez! Sending you to a virtual sunny beach spot for the rest of your editing! Hang in there….the end product will be amazing! MWAH!

reply shoppingdreams wrote on Feb 25, ’10 sweetpotatoqueen said Obviously,client relations aren’t a priority for this publisher. You know my thoughts on this…why can’t be just do their jobs without having to be coaxed into participation of their responsibilities? Geez! Sending you to a virtual sunny beach spot for the rest of your editing! Hang in there….the end product will be amazing! MWAH! I saw we all go to that beach. With umbrella drinks! 🙂

reply josfreshlybrewedmood wrote on Feb 25, ’10 Maybe your keyboard is haunted by the ghosts of authors past??? 😉 Not making light of your situation, just encouraging you not to forget to play along the way.

reply sanssouciblogs wrote on Feb 25, ’10 Thanking and hugging all my best pals and chuckling along with you–it beats wailing–(she said typing on her old external keyboard plugged into the laptop. Just got in, in the middle of an ongoing downright annoying snow storm, from my husband’s school where the drama class performed “Little Shop of Horrors.” I think that play either refers to Dell or iUniverse publishers.If anyone is on Yoville, I am at my beach house there hiding. Find me.

reply sanssouciblogs wrote on Feb 25, ’10 Ok this was really scary! I have 2 computers going on my desk, it makes editing easier, the desktop–which gets a little nuts sometimes, and the infamous laptop. I was just about to comment from the desktop computer and the keyboard didn’t work. My eyes must have bugged out of my head, really thogut I was losing it, like the other computer caught the disease. It’s a wireless keyboard and luckily a change of batteries did the trick. Big sigh of relief.

reply josfreshlybrewedmood wrote on Feb 25, ’10 *humming twilight zone theme * 😉

reply starfishred wrote on Feb 25, ’10 poor sue those little gremlins are still haunting you sorry —

reply sanssouciblogs wrote on Feb 25, ’10 josfreshlybrewedmood said *humming twilight zone theme * 😉 Isn’t it weird???

reply sanssouciblogs wrote on Feb 25, ’10 Gremlins are right, Heidi!!

reply philsgal7759 wrote on Feb 26, ’10 Life’s better in Yoville See ya there

reply billatplay wrote on Feb 26, ’10 You seem to be vulnerable to problems from all over at the moment. Have to ask this. Are you sure you have the correct driver install? How are you getting on with Fortress Toyota? lol

reply sanssouciblogs wrote on Feb 26, ’10 billatplay said You seem to be vulnerable to problems from all over at the moment. Have to ask this. Are you sure you have the correct driver install? How are you getting on with Fortress Toyota? lol Re: Toyota: I have the Camry 09 Hybrid. They told me it wasn’t affected. As for the computer, I am calling in constantly and leave it to THEM. i paid enough. Some of the techs are better than others but anyone who hears my story is baffled!

reply sanssouciblogs wrote on Feb 26, ’10 You bet! I’m there! It’s not snowing!