Tired of dividing my affections between two computers, I decided it was time
to make a commitment.

Actually, ever since receiving the spectacular birthday present of an iBook,
I have been plotting to make that my main computer, financing the needed accessories
and upgrades with the auctioning of my tried and true iMac (yes, I am a heartless
cad.)

I’ve been putting it off, intending to take care of it after finishing Chapter
1 of Dicebox, because these things always take up a good day or two. But that
was before 1) I knew I was going to San Diego and 2) experiencing the the
higher processor power of the iBook.

One of the steps necessary was upgrading the memory. I normally buy from
Chip Merchants, but I needed to get this show on the road. So, after calling
around town, I found the best prices at the CompUSA in Jantzen Beach.

This usual hellish drive was made even more charming by the closing of half
the highway, but I got the chip at the price quoted over the phone so the
lost hour and a half of my life seemed worth it.

Ah, but then there was the other hour and a half of running out to buy a
jeweler’s screwdriver set to open the memory shield. Only to repeatedly try
to install the memory with no success.

Being of that generation of graphic artists who had to be their own low-level
IT guy, I have installed much memory, a couple of hardrives and one ethernet
card in many generations of Macintosh with resounding success. (Of course,
my first time opening a computer casing was near comical, with my repeated
groundings of myself and desperate attempts not to sweat—back in the
day when 500 MB was a big deal and cost close to $500.)

So I assumed, naturally, that this was a bad chip. Had to be. I had it in
place, secured by the notches, but the computer only recognized the factory
built-in memory. So, after a cathartic cursing attack I put it aside for the
next day. More lost drawing time. I would have to take the chip back to the
store the next day. Even more lost drawing time.

Betcha can guess what happened next. I brought the computer with me so they
could see for themselves. And I got to see the resident Mac Tech click into
place with the familiar noise that had been lacking in my attempts the night
before. And sure enough, start up the computer and the memory was now 512
MB higher. Dammit.

I felt like such a girl. Especially since the tech and his two co-workers
were guys. At least they popped it in for free. I tried to ease my embarrassment
by chatting with the tech about how I’m just relieved it worked, and what
a great price for memory etc. and so on. He agreed and talked about a price
that was $100 less than I had paid. I thought he meant another chip but, no,
the chip I had bought had gone on sale that day. And then he graciously refunded
me the difference.

Which made it clear to me that my new iBook had refused to accept the memory
in order to save me $100.

Okay, maybe not. Still, it’s a nice little machine.