Last week was rather troubling, somehow my computer picked up a virus or was attacked by some malware. I am not sure of all the gory details, because I just wanted it fixed immediately. Luckily my husband was able to get me back up and running quickly- although at the time it seemed like days and weeks transpired…
It was really stressful wondering how long it would take and when I would be able to get back on schedule. While I was offline quite a bit, I used the time to catch up quite a bit of reading and projects around the house. It was actually pretty cathartic to be offline for more then 12 hours at a time- although I would not recommend having your computer attacked in order to escape being tuned into the internet 24/7.
I am smiling now that this messy incident seems to be behind me and speaking of smiling… I happened to run into this beautiful smile last week in the November 1976 issue of Family Circle. When I saw this shampoo ad for Wella Balsam with the lovely Farrah, who was then Mrs. Fawcett-Majors; I immediately wondered how long it had been since she had passed away. After a quick Google search, I was surprised to learn that it had been a year already. It’s shocking how fast times flies!
Anyway- I don’t know if there is a lesson to be learned or even a real blog post here in the making. Of course, you know the old adage “Life is too short…,” well it is and I would just add try to make the most of life no matter how short or long your may be and do spend more of that time offline.
Well I am off! I am going back to reading the wonderful library books I checked out last week.
See you soon,
Michelle 
Farrah Fawcett Majors for Wella Balsam Shampoo 1976
The only time I am ever really able to pull myself away from the computer is for Family Functions. I would have flipped out if my computer crashed like that! I am glad it’s fixed now.
And yanno, I just realized how much I miss reading ACTUAL books!
Yikes – I really abhor computer viruses and the thought that I could lose information or personal photos stored on my computer. I guess I should do a backup soon while I’m thinking about it. As for Farrah, well. Gosh – it’s amazing how beautiful she was. And gone too soon, so young. Sad. I also feel bad that her death kind of got overshadowed by Michael Jackson’s. What a freak show. Anyway, I remember really loving the smell of the Wella Balsam shampoos. That’s a nice memory.
Meleah- I have a hard time pulling myself from the computer… but after the computer virus and a trip to the library I realized being offline is a wonderful place. Of course in about two weeks I will be fully sucked into the online world again.
Teeni- It was very stressful waiting while my computer was cleaned up. Just Before Farrah died I watched that biographical show her friend Alana Stewart made with her about Farrah’s cancer. I thought it was a very brave thing to do and so I really didn’t get immersed into the whole Michael Jackson thing going on at the same time. Don’t get me wrong I like Michael Jackson, it’s just well like you said a freak show. Death and life should have some dignity, and he really maintained that carnival type celebrity… and I am not into that.
PS Miss you on FB- did you give it up for good or just online friends? Just curious?
I felt exactly the same way when I read it had been a year since Michael and Farrah had passed. She was beautiful.
Anytime I have even a brief computer problem, I wonder how we ever survived without the internet. I think getting away from my cell phone is very similar for me. I’m planning on going canoeing again this 4th of July weekend and my phone doesn’t have service there. It is a bit cathartic to be disconnected for awhile, though I prefer it to be by choice.
Hi Bone- I hope your July 4th weekend was fun and relaxing. I spent the weekend with my people and offline for the most part… it was easy to do since my Mom flew in from Denver and we had a birthday party for my daughter.
I just wish I had enough sense to stay offline on the days in between holidays and family events. Sometimes I feel like I am missing the world go by when I am on the internet all day.