Why I Am Silent

Haven’t posted in a while, have I?

That’s because I was expecting to have some work to do setting up the new computer and migrating everything over.

What new computer, you ask?

Hell, I’m asking the same thing, because it never arrived.

So, in lieu of actual content this week, here’s the timeline as it stands:

• Order Gaming Computer
  Beginning of January, ordered what I suppose would be considered a mid-range gaming computer so that I could make videos. Ryzen 7 CPU, RTX 2070 Super, 16 GB, SSD. Simple list of needs. Also ordered a special Bluetooth keyboard, for reasons I’m about to explain. Expected delivery: 2nd week of January.
• Move Old Computer
  My old computer is old, of course, and kind of exhibiting signs of old age, but I figured I could still use it to play DVDs. So I started moving it over near the TV in my bedroom. This also helps clear space for the new PC, because everything around that work area is pretty much a mess. New keyboard arrives, which is good, because it has the feature of being able to connect via Bluetooth to up to three devices.
• New Computer Doesn’t Come
  Get a message on the morning of expected delivery that the computer is being sent back and my money will eventually be refunded. No explanation, but presumably it was damaged in transit. Even though they have records that their own employees never delivered the PC, they won’t refund my money until 5 to 7 business days after they get it back in their warehouse. And since I usually don’t have much money to spare (which is why I waited years to buy a new computer,) I can’t order a new computer until I get the refund.
• Get Refund, Order 2nd Gaming Computer
  Finally able to re-order the computer I want. Fortunately, although the price had gone up while I was waiting for my refund, it’s back down to the price I paid before. Also decide to get a Bluetooth mouse that goes with my new keyboard so I can use one mouse and one keyboard for both computers. Expected delivery: End of January.
• 2nd Computer Arrives
  Actually got a package this time, but it takes a couple days before I even have room where I plan to set it up. Meanwhile, I’m struggling to use the old computer, because of course I wasn’t planning on using it to do actual work, like writing or something like that. My eyesight’s pretty bad, and the TV is just too far away for text to be readable at this distance. Oh, and I did get that Bluetooth mouse, too.
• 2nd Computer Doesn’t Work
  Connect new computer in multiple ways, with multiple cables, but no video signal, even though there's obviously power. Tech support takes a couple days, but they agree. Store goes through their own rigmarole but agrees. Will not replace PC or guarantee that I can buy it again at the same price, and it’s the same refund process as before: ship it back, wait 5 to 7 business days for a refund.
• Order 3rd Computer
  Ordered a different brand through a different store Friday. Not necessarily a slight on the previous brand or store, but maybe one or the other is having problems right now? New model is only an RTX 2060, but finding something close to my tight budget didn’t leave much options. Expected delivery: Tomorrow, or at least sometime this week. We’ll see how this goes.

Did not order a computer peripheral, because maybe that’s what’s jinxing it all.

I left some things out, like the computer I wanted before I ordered Computer #1. Went through configuring the system on the manufacturer’s site, but apparently you can’t actually buy computers on their website, but must call them and give them a reference number? Screw that crap, this isn’t the 20th century.

If you include that attempt, and if I get a working computer this week, the whole process basically took two months.

So yeah, if you’re wondering why there’s not much going on here, maybe it’s because all this is distracting me.