We're on our way to Blue Bell, and I hate Macs. I've heard such good things about them, and yet every time I use one, it ends up being a frustrating, anti-intuitive computing experience. When I tried to save a document to a (PC-formatted) floppy disk, I was told the disk was write-protected (it isn't). Then I made the mistake of trying to save the file to a second disk. Big mistake. Before long a third disk was added, and for more than fifteen minutes, I shuffled all three disks in and out of this PowerBook.
I borrowed this computer (a PowerBook 5300cs) from the University Help Desk so it would be easy for me to write. I also looked forward to the opportunity to learn more about Macintosh. I know it's a different operating system, one that loyal Macintosh fans love. Unfortunately I don't think I'll be spending much time on this stupid machine. I am now writing this entry, saving it to the Macintosh desktop. If I'm lucky, I'll figure out how to transfer the files. If worse comes to worst, I will retype each entry when I get back to my computer in Richmond. I also have to find out how the trash can works.
We arrived in Blue Bell around 3 PM. Stacy and Stuart were already here. By five o'clock everyone had arrived. There were fifteen of us here for dinner and within an hour I was exhausted. I managed to talk with just about everyone, but I found myself retreating into the library now and then where it was quiet. I ran into Uncle Kevin a few times in the library, and I suspect he was there for the same reason.
Still, it was fun to have three babies here. Sabrina, Molly and Riley were fascinating to watch. Molly was up in bed before too long (I think it was too busy for her too). Sabrina and Riley were fun to watch together.
Uncle Kevin and others (Stacy and Stuart) were interested in seeing the Star Wars trailer, so I downloaded the QuickTime version to mom and dad's computer. It took more than two hours to download (their modem is only connecting at 28.8 for some reason), but those who wanted to watch were not disappointed.
At one point during the evening I happened upon Jean and Joanna talking about getting used to children. Joanna likened the first eight weeks of baby to boot camp, something that simply needs to be survived. I didn't stay for the talk, since it felt like something best for Jean and Joanna alone.
Dinner was big, of course. There was a turkey and a ham, along with green beans that had some kind of speckles on them. There was some other stuff as well (I'm pretty sure I saw a cranberry relish or something like it), but since I wasn't interested in any of the food, I just tossed some turkey, stuffing and beans on my plate and sat down.
Everyone could sit where they pleased, but for some (probably significant) reason, all of the people who have had children sat at one table, while all those who haven't sat at the other one. Mom, dad, Shane, Joanna, Sandra, Jessica and Tom all sat at one table, while Stacy and Stuart, Colette and Shawn, Brendan, Uncle Kevin and Jean and I all sat at the other. Ignoring my food, I launched into conversations with everyone.
It was nice to see them all again, and we'll get to see most everyone on Saturday at the baby shower. Of course the problem then is that we'll be the center of attention, so running off to another room won't be an option.
© 1998 Kevin J.T. Creamer