BLAAAACK FRIDAY!!!

 I don't know why they call it that.  It has always sounded ominous to me ... like witches, black magic and dead people.  Apparently it inspires others to spend all their money on "bargains" like a computer they marked up 100% then sold for 50% off.  

I knew it was probably a bad day to go looking for a computer and to get my apple watch fixed, but hey ... I'm always up for a madhouse adventure.  After all, I had an appointment.  I figured everyone would be at Walmart anyway, NOT the Apple Store where they have absolutely NO discounts of any kind.

This image above is what I was looking for.  It's a MacBook Pro laptop computer.  I've had two over the last 14 years, which in computerworld isn't bad.  The best part is I've never had one single problem with them as I downloaded and worked on literally thousands of photos.  

My problem comes from the Photoshop people who decided not to sell their product any more, but to stick it up in the clouds for you to download, whereupon they can charge you $15 a month for life.  Talk about a cash cow!!  If I update my computer, I lose Photoshop.  If I DON'T update my computer,  I lose all my online banking sites.  Maybe the solution is to have TWO computers. 

 The other reason for going is to try and get my Apple watch updated.  I didn't have to purchase a new phone because I finally got it up to par.  The watch is another story altogether.  It now won't work at all unless it's updated, but the update now says it will take THREE DAYS!!  SO ... I was off to the Apple Store on the worst day of the year.

 I'm happy to say everyone is following the excellent example set by our esteemed Governor who not only went out, but met with families at a big party, did not wear a mask, shook hands and ate in a restaurant with many folks he is not related to.  I guess Newsom forgot to look for the cameras.  

Not only that, but almost the entire legislature of California traveled to HAWAII for "meetings".  What was that about staying home?  Obviously the GUIDELINES only apply to us peons and not the politicians.  Or maybe they know something we DON'T about Rona!!

Traffic was pretty heavy with the construction work going on.  I'm pretty sure our little town is the last one getting a remodel on it's asphalt that would shake your teeth loose.  You might want to take an alternate route for the next two years.

Luckily I found a parking spot because the huge mall was packed to the brim with cars.  What used to be Macy's turned Forever 21 is now in the process of becoming the biggest furniture store with the cheapest furniture.  At least it's not another Dollar Store.

First let me say don't waste your time making an appointment.  When I arrived, I had to wait in line for ten minutes to get up to the point of speaking to a person.  I was supposed to answer seven questions, which I did with one "NO" before they took my temperature.  I was then stuck in ANOTHER line.  

I finally asked the eight people in front of me if they had appointments, and they all said NO, they just walked up.  Wait .... I had an appointment and I have to wait in line behind all these people who just walked up?  As one person walked out of the store, they let one in.  I could feel my blood pressure rising and the headache coming on.

I'll skip all the computereze talk.  I had printed out exactly what I wanted and it was available, but of course I had to order it online.  Here's the latest and greatest BAD news for practically everyone.  You know those USB connections you have?  They are all going away.  The industry has decided to go to something that looks like this called a USB-C.  If you never need another device, you won't have to worry.  For me, it causes problems.

The new computers are coming out with this type of connection ONLY.  I can't download photos, plug in my phone, use my printer or use any other cable unless it has a USB-C connector, which of course they do not.

 I have no idea if Windows computers are going this same direction, but I wouldn't be surprised.  Can you just imagine how many people will have to buy new printers, new cameras, new everything just so they can plug in with the latest and greatest USB-C?  What a great marketing pitch to make their sales go up.

For the time being, I purchased this ... a USB-C to USB adapter cable so I can at least plug in my USB camera card reader.  Since my printer works better tethered, it will work for that too.  Isn't technology just grand??  This was $21.00.

 On to the watch.  The guy hooked me up to Apple's WiFi to download the update.  It said two days.  Seriously?  Just then it clicked and said 33 minutes.  "You can't wait inside because we have people waiting to get in" he said.  "You can do this right outside the door".  But wait ... it says I have to keep the watch on the charger the entire time.  

You're not going to believe this ... he took me outside and plugged it in to a receptacle in the flower bed.  Really?  I'm supposed to stand in the shrubs for 30 minutes while this downloads?  In a flash, he was gone and my phone flipped to TWO HOURS to download.  Nancy was not a happy camper!!

I threw the entire thing in my purse and walked off.  What a waste of money this watch was.  Once home, I looked through my entire selection of running and cheap Arizona MarketPlace watches to find something I could wear.  

Elvis wasn't in the building (dead battery on that watch) so I picked up Mickey.  He immediately came to life.  Who knew Mickey Mouse would come to my rescue.  It's powered by movement.  It took a few shakes to get it going, but it works like a charm, amazing since I bought it in 2006 and haven't worn it since.  YOU GO MICKEY!!!

 So ... did I buy the computer?  Yes, yes I did (big sigh).  It's why I worked the Pumpkin Patch.  At least I will be able to see the entire screen.  You see I tripped in Arizona and barely tapped one corner, which caused a big chunk of the screen to be black as night.  It's not fixable.  I could purchase a less expensive Windows model, but have always had trouble with them.  

By the way, as I stood in the flower bed, shopper after shopper came out of the mall loaded down with bags and boxes, staring at me because ... well, I was standing in the flower bed.  Neither Rona nor a hypocritical governor has kept anyone away from Black Friday shopping deals.