If you were to create a list of things that reek when they burn, plastic would be at the top. Because burning plastic does not have the same odor as say, anything that smells good.
The other day I was in my room when I smelled something melting. I came running out to the kitchen, thinking that one of my kids had set something on fire. It has happened before.
My first concern was for my new countertop. I thought they might have put something hot on top of it. They were going to be in big trouble. I’m not saying that I would never forgive them, because that would be wrong, but I would ground them from their cellphones or iPods for a month, which is the mental equivalent to a flogging, only more painful.
The countertop was unscathed. And none of the appliances were being used for anything inappropriate. Or appropriate.
Turns out, the stench was coming from my room. From my computer. I shut down the computer and opened windows. After awhile, the smell subsided.
I didn’t think about it again for days because I hardly use that computer.
After all, I’d look silly dragging the monitor and CPU with me all over the house.
That’s why I have a laptop.
I take my MacBook everywhere with me. My kids claim I can’t survive without it. But hey, I don’t make fun of them for always having their Gameboys, cellphones, and iPods. Okay, yes, I do. But their addictions are not healthy.
My kids once hid my laptop, just to watch me go ballistic hunting for it. Good, clean fun, I tell you.
Anyway, my husband went to use the computer in our room when he realized it would not boot. He was trying to update information for our Boy Scout troop. Our computer is where we keep track of every rank advancement and merit badge for the whole troop. It’s important stuff, if you care about Boy Scouts. Which I do, I tell you emphatically, I do! (Ahem.)
And then, I remembered that all my pictures are on that computer. And, I’ve digitally scrapbooked about 60 pages which have yet to be printed.
Fortunately, we have an external hard drive hooked up to the computer.
Unfortunately, I can’t remember the last time I saved anything to the external hard drive. And I’ve never backed up my laptop.
Fortunately, my husband thinks it’s just the computer’s power source that’s toast. It can be replaced and we can retrieve everything.
So, the tip of the day is to get an external hard drive for your computer. And then use it! Because the only thing worse than the smell of burning plastic is the smell of burning plastic that is destroying important documents and sentimental pictures.
Now that would really reek.
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- How to Choose a Countertop
- Did I Mention That It Sparkles?
- Top 10 Reasons Why I Haven’t Blogged in 2 Months
I dream of owning a Mac book someday. I’d probably take it with me everywhere too.