Migration, Multi-tasking, And Baseball

Last week the logic board in my trusty White MacBook--one of the originals--died. It was my main (read "only") computer. It was backed up.I took it to the Apple Store where they informed me that I could get a new logic board for $600+ in 48 hours if I sent it to California. They also (kindly) let me know that if I were willing to wait 5 days it could be replaced locally for $280.

Now, watch my logic (this is why I stay away from Las Vegas):

"Hmm, I could save a good chunk of money by waiting 5 days.Yes, that's the frugal thing to do. But I can't be without a computer...I am a digital business guy. Aha! I'll get a featherweight MacBook Air that will be healthier for my back and my productivity will not only continue, it will skyrocket."

So, after plopping down $1799 and having the Apple folks transfer my data to the new MacAir, I left the store with a smile and an unburdened back: I was no longer hunched over with the extra weight of that $1799 in my wallet.

Immobilized by the World Series

No sooner did I get home and fire up the blogging platform than: Voila! The World Series!

I'm from Philadelphia. Those of you in the U.S. who follow baseball know that us Philly folks have spent our entire lives--except for the 1980 World Series (when I was living in Saudi Arabia)--watching the Phillies play the adult equivalent of T-ball. Not this year. Our guys did themselves well and won the whole thing.

Which is how I learned:

I cannot multitask. Sort of.

It seems that I could, in fact, chew gum and watch baseball; eat food and watch baseball; read Cigar Aficionado Magazine and watch baseball; but I could not work and watch baseball. Nor could I post any blogs and get to the celebratory parade. After a full day of trying, I couldn't even get to the parade.  Every route and mode of transportation known to humanity was inaccessible.

Then: Lo and behold, the original White MacBook came back in two days--not five. (I could have spent that $1799 on a helicopter and hovered over the stinkin' parade).

I Did Not Disappear. I Migrated.

Now it was time to re-transfer everything back to the original White MacBook. As an Apple user since 1987 I knew it would be a breeze. Just plug the Firewire connection  between the two computers and click on "Migration Assistant." Stop back in a few hours and all would be perfectly duplicated. Then, start the posts flowing again.

Oooh: no Firewire on the MacAir. No problem: I'll do it wirelessly.

Twelve hours later I sensed something might be amiss when the screen told me I had another 19 hours to go. 

No problem. Off to the Apple store to get a USB to Ethernet adapter for $29 + tax.

Back home, click on Migration Assistant, "You have 19 hours until. . ."

Off to the Apple Store with both computers and an appointment with an Apple Genius. Genius tells me to leave both computers, he'll do the transfer, stop back in a few hours. Perfect timing. It's 6 pm, the Apple Store closes at 9, and Borders is across the street.

I return at 9 at which time the Genius informs me there is still "more time" to go on the transfer. I inform him that I could have done that. In fact, I already had. Since I need the MacAir to complete something for a client I leave with both laptops.

The next morning I arrive back at the Apple Store where I am greeted by name (I can't mention the exact name as this is a family blog). Today's solution: Leave the computers all day plus over-night; collect them in the morning.

The next morning I arrive back at the Apple Store where I am greeted by the same name. However: Today's Genius proudly announces that the migration is complete. He thinks I am ungrateful when I allow that it didn't take the population of Ireland that long to migrate to the U.S. during the potato famine.

When I arrive home and quickly boot the machines, it is immediately apparent that everything had been transferred--but not migrated. That is, the programs were not attached to their respective passwords and registrations.

So I have spent the past 48 hours doing all of that manually. And my face again wears the smile of a Happy Mac.

For the two of you who stuck with me all the way through this totally self-absorbed attempt at catharsis, I thank you.

All Things Workplace will now resume it's regular broadcast day.

 

Comments

[Karin H.]

LOL Steve

(Yes, I was one of those two)
While you were waiting for everything to fall into place you could have answered one pressing question for me though:
why is it called the 'World-series' when only US based baseball teams compete for the title???

Karin H. (Keep It Simple Sweetheart, specially in business)

[Steve Roesler]

Karin,

Thank you for the therapy.

Your question is one that is often asked. The problem was resolved when Canada added two professional teams (now there is one: Toronto). Thus, the "world" extends across the border from Detroit into Toronto adding some (albeit questionable) legitimacy to the notion of World Series.

There are many other reasons as well. Most countries that do have baseball do not play on a par with U.S. teams (Japan being the exception with Australia somewhat behind them). Most other countries that play are relatively new to the sport. It also requires a lengthy moderate-to-warm season with predominantly clear skies. Here, that stretches from the beginning of April until the beginning of November.

What was once a sport that earned money from ticket sales and souvenirs is now a billion-dollar business built upon TV rights and other revenue-generating entities.

I think "wood" is a lot easier:-)

[Beth Robinson]

You have a much better story for not blogging than I have! Glad everything is back together again on the computer front. I know our office thinned out a bit on Friday with folks heading down to the parade... I'm a Red Sox fan, so didn't try, but am sorry you didn't make it.

[Steve Roesler]

Hi, Beth,

Well, I'm getting caught up today with the comments and pleased to know that my readership isn't down to my immediate family:-)

My dream series: Red Sox vs. Chicago Cubs. I am determined to stay healthy until that happens and then can glide off in peace.

At the risk of totally giving away my age, the first baseball game I saw was between the Boston Red Sox and the Philadelphia Athletics. Ted Williams was playing.

That should warm your heart. . .

[Karin H.]

Hi Steve

Did you know there is an annual 'Haarlem - honkbal' week in Haarlem (but of course) The Netherlands? (Honkbal = Dutch for baseball)

And I played 'softbal' when I was much much younger for a few years with the "Wizards of BoZ" (our home-town Bergen op Zoom is frequently abbreviated to BoZ) ;-)

But still think the World-Series should either try to invite more countries to compete or change the name to the World of North-America series ;-)

Karin H.

[Steve Roesler]

Karin,

I now have a completely different image of you. In addition to flooring are you selling baseball bats over there?

I think the reason for not having The World Series of North America is quite simple. It won't fit across a TV screen.

[Karin H.]

Bahaha on your last remark ;-)

(Turning your tv-set comes to mind, or would the players slide down even more?)

Cricket bats would be a better idea here in the UK ;-) (although that sport, if you can call it a sport, is now being taken over by an American too apparently)

Now, go back to work ;-) And I go home

Karin H

[Dan McCarthy]

Steve –

Thanks, for some reason, reading about your Mac misery makes me feel better about my hard drive crashing and losing everything. I guess migrating to a Mac may not eliminate all of my computer problems.
I’m getting by with my company issued laptop waiting for a new hard drive and recovery disks to be sent to me. Then more fun starting all over again.

Welcome back. And congrats on your Phillies.
From a long suffering Bills fan.