My old all-in-one desktop has been showing signs of aging for some time now. It still works but updates just for the operating system can take up to an hour or even longer. Imagine how long it takes to update all the applications including the virus protection. It almost seemed better not to turn on the PC in order to get anything done. Of course, not much gets done without a computer these days. So grudgingly, I purchased a laptop thinking that I could write and do some digital drawing away from my usual workplace. It was a brilliant idea at one point. Since I wanted to take the laptop on the go (just around my house away from my desk is “on the go” for me), I chose a smaller laptop with a 13.5” screen. It seemed perfect since it also converted into a drawing tablet using the Krita application. There seemed to be so many possibilities with this laptop!

It probably would have been perfect if I were younger with sharper vision. With my aging eyes, the screen proved to be too small. Imagine an old woman typing and drawing with constant squinting eyes (no, I’m not talking about my Asian eyes!). My glasses were of no help either. The next logical step to improve the computer usage was to get a docking station, a larger monitor and a set of speakers. Now I have everything set up through my docking station. I have two monitors (I’m using an old one as my second monitor), a USB hub that I used with my old PC, a set of speakers and a printer. The whole set up takes up more room than my old all-In-one, and the wires run everywhere even after careful organization. I am happy with the new computer as the processor is powerful, fast and smooth. Updates (for the most part) take minutes or seconds not hours. I still continue to spend a lot of time trying to figure out unique issues that come up with individual applications. For example, Krita has a new G’MIC-qt plugin that does not fit my screen, Pinterest PC app no longer loads images, etc. It’s never ending… So, if you don’t see new posts on Pinterest as often as before, just imagine an old woman battling technology. By the way, when I duckduckgo (I don’t google anymore) these issues on the web, I see tons of posts by people who are experiencing the same problem. It’s obvious that dealing with technology issues take up a big chunk of our daily lives.

Yesterday as I tried to log onto my Pinterest account to upload a new pin. I received a new warning message that I log in a lot and that I had to either wait 30 minutes or reset my password. I did both. It did not solve the problem. I’m sure the program thought I was a bot because I kept clicking the Pinterest icon on my PC to check if the app was working. It had been opening up to a white screen with no images, and I was checking if this problem was solved after resetting the app numerous times. To be fair, a Pinterest staff member had kindly reached out to help. The issue has now been resolved! On the other hand, the PC app issue is still unresolved.

Next to the computer setup, I have a large table exclusively used for painting; painting done with my own hands; that is. The sheer joy of picking up a sumi brush and painting the old-fashioned way actually brings balance to my workflow and sanity to my soul in this technology-centered era.

But seriously, my technology woes are insignificant matters. What deserves attention are the many things taking place in this country and the world that are affecting and will continue to affect millions of people in devastating ways. Ukraine is surely on everyone’s mind. Then there is the silently encroaching authoritarianism in our country manifested by, for example, the politically charged Supreme Court with their radical (not conservative) decisions; policies that continue to chip away our basic human rights; politicians working ONLY for power and money; certain media and platforms spreading disinformation that encourage disrespect for facts and true journalism; discouragement of independent thinking and efforts to create an environment that teaches the young to swallow only what’s being fed to them and stifling their curiosity, gifts and nurturing of their true selves; just to name a few. And, of course, we can’t forget climate change…

Like I said, my personal technology woes are insignificant matters… But wait, as I returned to my desk after dinner to finish by blog, my laptop didn’t turn on. Really!? Just a black screen! So I had to duckduckgo my problem again in search for a solution. Since I am posting this blog, you know I was able to solve this insignificant technology woe. Ugh!