The Day the Internet Crashed

Finally, the day had arrived.  Gary was going to get his surgery behind him.  On Friday morning, July 22, 2024, at 4:15 a.m., we met our driver, Joe Lapp, down in the main lobby of our building and we proceeded to Charlottesville (65 miles away).   Joe dropped us off at the University of Virginia Hospital at 5:30 a.m. and went back to Harrisonburg. 

(I can't drive because of the double vision I've been experiencing for the past few weeks. More on that later.)

We were met with a big surprise --- we discovered that the computers were down.  This wasn't just the hospital, it was a world-wide problem.

 

No one in the hospital could do anything.  The hospital computers couldn't even access their medical files!!!  Not only that, airports, banks, police, firemen, and businesses all over the world were hit by this problem  so they were all "dead in the water."  

 

It turns out that Microsoft had put out a security update and there was a mistake in the programing.  Things are slowly getting back on, but not all.

We sat in the waiting room and kept waiting for a couple of hours, thinking things would be back up and running soon.  We turned around to discover the whole, large waiting room was emptied out.  Guess those folks lived in Charlottesville so they went home.

The receptionist felt so bad that she gave us each a gift card for Walmart of $5.  Plus, she kept apologizing.  She was so sweet.

We had hired Joe to drive us over, Gary would have had his surgery Friday,  and Joe would come for us on Saturday.

 

So...... Gary did not get his surgery behind him after all. He'll have to continue to get up 4 or 5 times a night until then..

 

We'll have to go back when the computer glitches are fixed.   He tried calling the office all weekend - just got a recording.  Today he reached them.  

 

They are trying their best to adjust schedules in order to work all the surgeries scheduled for Friday in as soon as possible.  He could choose to just make an appointment but there is no  opening till next year!  So, he'll be patient, as much as possible, and will wait to hear from them and hopefully, they'll work us in ASAP.

This whole episode makes me think how a terrorist could take over the whole world!!!  Perish the thought!!!

Back to Business

Shame on me!  Several of you have asked why I haven't been posting on this blog - and I have no excuse.  It's partly because in my desire to get everything PERFECT, I spend too much time on each entry.  The photos take the most time but I know people, including me, like photos.

Meanwhile, it looks the quarantine for the Covid 19 Pandemic, would have given me the opportunity to catch up, doesn't it?  The quarantine started the middle of March.  I was expecting it to end with the summer weather so didn't use my time wisely.

On the other hand, when you're in your house all day, nothing happens so there's nothing to talk about or write about.

We're not officially quarantined now but neither I nor my friends and family go out much.  When we do, we wear masks, social distance ourselves from others, and wash, wash, wash our hands.  

As of now, there are 4,887,648 positive cases of Covid-19 in the USA and159,596 deaths.  

I won't be moving to the local retirement community (VMRC) or selling my house this summer because that community is still under lockdown. That means people aren't able to move in or out... so there are not empty condo apartments at this time.

I'm trying to start using my time more wisely and get my photos purged, scanned, and organized.  That is QUITE the challenge! 

I think I'll make my posts more casual and share random thoughts.  If I slack off, you have permission to give me a nudge.  If I make grammatical errors, I plead with you to let me know.

Here's to updating Angelil Adventures.  Stay tuned.......!

Ed's Little Corner

A computer guru needs his space and Ed claimed this little corner in our kitchen as his.  I was sure it would be too crowded but this little desk fits perfectly.

He totally enjoys looking out at the lake and seeing all the sandhill cranes, herons, anhingas, turtles, ducks, and our alligator. 

His body may have slowed down, but his brain hasn't so he still "memorizes" the Washington Post each day!

Tune in to MusicTonic

I discovered this music site and am having such fun traveling down memory lane.  I'm amazed and pleased to discover gospel, classical, pop and many other types of music.

A few of the names I've put into the Search Box are:  The Lettermen (of course), The Platters, Gaither Vocal Band, the Blackwood Brothers, the Statler Brothers, Norah Jones, Simon and Garfunkel, Elvis, Abba, Aron Neville, Lionel Richie, Bach, Beethoven and Ravel.

Enjoy!  http://musictonic.com/

Magic Jack = A-OK

I had written on February 15 about an almost-free phone called magicJack, which is a gismo Ed bought in Wal-mart. 

 
The magicJack is plugged into the computer and the wire from that goes into a regular phone.  We learned that wireless phones sometimes gave static so we now use a phone with a direct wire and it's working fine -- even in these hills in the country!   http://www.magicjack.com/5/index.asp 

The gismo and first year is about $40 and after that it's about $20 for a whole year -- including free long distance.  

Mary is now convinced that it works well.  It's such a deal and much easier to talk on than a cell phone.  So, it's an A+ for magicJack.

Review - How to Comment

Some people missed the post for how to comment. Click here: How to Comment

Hospital Visit for My Computer

We got Windows 7 for my notebook computer and did a clean install. Maybe that upset it because the CD/DVD drive went nutty. Ed took it to the Best Buy Computer Hospital -- and it'll be gone for 3 weeks (shock, gasp, sigh!). On the bright side, we bought it last year on January 12th so the warranty is still good.

On the way home, Ed "just happened" to pass by Costco and ended up getting me another little (literally) Christmas present. He got the very last HP Mini 110 netbook (it was a floor demo) and it was one of those deals he couldn't refuse, plus, it came with Windows 7.
He says he's tired of seeing me lug my notebook computer all over the place. With this little baby, I just need to get one of those gigantic purses that everyone's carrying! Then I'll have to get a set of luggage wheels to carry the purse. It's so small that I had to trim my nails in order to type!

Anyway, I'm having fun setting it up. Bye for now.....off to create my Disaster Recovery System on a flash drive (not discs because netbooks are too small for DVD players).

Christmas Computer Fun Part 2 for 2009

Click on the title of each video and wait a bit for it to load.....speakers on.

Ed, his Son, Daughter-in-law, and Grandson
Ed, Steve, Lorraine, & Sean Angelil

Elfin' First Grade Friends

Bunny Spangler Turner, Lois Brown Horne, MaryMay Angelil, Sarah Swank Kastendick Mt. Clinton Elementary School, Virginia

*************************************************************

(This one isn't a video, just a message to you!)

Christmas Computer Fun 2009 - Part 1

Last year they talked about Elf Yourself on Good Morning, America and I made a few of their videos. This year I also used My Face LOL. I know they're silly, but I hope they bring good cheer to the victims/recipients.

Watch soon as they're only on for a week or so. I can download them to keep if I pay, but I haven't been willing to spend $5.00 each. After they expire, you will just get to see the screen shots below.

Click on the title of each video and wait a bit for it to load.....speakers on.

The Mays' Christmas Dance 2009
Fran May (Mother), Phil May, Anita May Krull, MaryMay Angelil

My Sister and Her Family especially enjoyed theirs.
Anita, Paul, Ellen, & April Krull

My Great Nephew in Ohio Duane Krull

My Brother, Sister-in-Law, and Nephew
Phil, Maribeth, & Levi May

Computer Spam

I took a computer class this week where someone asked why they were getting so much spam. The reason is that forwarded messages are full of email addresses which are harvested by spammers!

I received this email this morning and it explains what happens.

Tracking Email (not to insult you, but just in case you didn't know...)

1) Any time you see an E-Mail that says forward this on to '10' (or however many) of your friends, sign this petition, or you'll get bad luck, good luck or whatever, it almost always has an E-Mail tracker program attached that tracks and harvests the E-Mail addresses of those folks you forward to.

2) Even when you get emails that demand you send the email on if you're not ashamed of God/Jesus ....that's E-mail tracking and they're playing on our conscience. These people don't care how they get your email addresses - just as long as they get them. Also, emails that talk about a missing child or a child with an incurable disease - "how would you feel if that was your child".....E-mail Tracking!!!

Ignore them and don't participate!

3) Almost all E-Mails that ask you to add your name and forward on to others are only another way to get names - - to validate active E-Mail accounts for their own profitable purposes.

4) E-Mail petitions are NOT acceptable to White House, Congress or any other organization - i.e. social security, etc. To be acceptable, petitions must have a signed signature and full address of the person signing the petition, so this is a waste of time and you're just helping the Email trackers.

AND MOST IMPORTANTLY,…….delete other people's e-mail addresses on the e-mails you send out.

When forwarding or sending, type the email addresses into the BCC (blind carbon copy) line.

When you get an email from me, you'll notice that the only name up top is mine. If you forward it, please delete my name and all the other email addresses.

Let’s put the SPAMMERS out of business!!

If you’re not sure how to forward email safely, all you have to do is ask and I’ll send you directions.

Comment - How To

Several people have emailed me that they can't make a comment. Hopefully, these 5 steps will help.

1. At the bottom of each post, you'll see the words "...comments". Put your pointer on the word "comments", and click.2. A window will open and a cursor will be blinking in a white area. Type your comment. You can sign your name or not, but I'd love to know who you are!
Here's where most people have trouble......they don't realize you have to scroll down.

3. SCROLL DOWN until you see this...
4. Click to the left of "Anonymous" to put a dot there.
5. Click the orange rectangle, "Publish your comment"

"Click on Photo" Help

It has come to my attention that not everyone noticed or understood the statement, "Click on each photo for a larger version."

1. That means that you put your pointer on a photo and click.

2. That will open up a larger version of the small photo. Wait a moment for it to finish loading.

3. When you're finished viewing it, go the top left corner of your browser (Firefox or Internet Explorer) window and click the arrow that points to the left (the "back" arrow).

That will take you back to the blog.

Save Your Memories

I mentioned this in a post back in March 2008 (Click here -> Mary's Beloved Grandchildren) and it's taken me over a year to get it together. Good Housekeeping magazine gave me this idea many years ago and I strongly encourage you to do it!!

Keep these thoughts in mind:
1. Take the photo each year in front of your front door once a year - on the child's birthday is a good way to remember.
2. Have the adult on the same side every year.
3. Put the child and only one adult at a time in the photo.
4. Label them carefully with year and age.
5. Keep both a digital copy and printed one.

Due to some unusual circumstances with my step-grandchildren, I was not able to quite keep within the parameters above. However, I treasure what I have managed to capture.

Please share this idea with all your friends and family!

(Click on the each page below to see a larger version.)

(Click here for another photo suggestion: "Think Before You Shoot") 

 

 

Free Wi-Fi Directory

I just read about this site in my Kim Komando E-zine and think it will be helpful as we head South in November. Hope it will be helpful for you, too!

The Wi-Fi-FreeSpot™ Directory is a listing of locations that offer Free Wi-Fi. USA State-by-State listings. http://www.wififreespot.com/