The last days have been a veritable ordeal, and believe me, I'm not exaggerating in the slightest. My burner broke down sometime last week. Before, I hadn't been able to burn a new CD at any other than 4x speed, but at least, I had been able to do so. Then, suddenly, the damn thing didn't work at all. Nada. Nothing. I tried everything, got on everybody's nerves by asking them what to do. Still, no success.

Angry and helpless, I decided to go to the ComTech branch here in Cologne since I bought my computer at one of their other bureaus this January. And was mightily proud to have found it (with the help of my map), and a parking space in the next side-street.

When I had exchanged my old burner for a new one of the same type (all covered by the guarantee), I was even more proud of myself, and deemed the time, the furious tears and the rotten mood of the evening before all worth it -- after all, I had spent close to two hours trying to get the CD burner/CD drive out of the damn computer. Hey, I only use the thing; I'm no damned technician!

Then, I went back to the parking garage. And reached for my keys. And -- encountered nothing in my jacket pocket. I panicked, felt dread in my stomach. Looked into my car... and found them hanging there from the ignition. Great. Wonderful. Thrilling.

To make an awful story short, I had to spend four hours there, phoning the ADAC (the German equivalent of the AAA) each hour, inquiring whether or not they'd finally have a breakdown service car available, but to no avail. Since I'm not a member (only my father is), and they had plenty of other calls, they always said they couldn't help me. Finally, they gave me the number of a key emergency service, and I was sufficiently desperate to call. Well, it was 'just' 100 Euro, and, after all, I'm rich, aren't I?! Goodbye, new computer monitor. For the foreseeable future, at least. And, worst of all: The damn CD burner was CHEAPER than that.

And I'm still pondering the question whether or not it's really too much to ask of your parents to drive 440 kilometers (twice) if they happen to have the spare car key. I don't know. Perhaps. Anyway, I was too angry to care.

Then, when I was finally home (at about 9.30 p.m.), I tried to fit in the new burner. Had to call my brother for advice three times (who the fuck knew that the thing has a so-called 'jumper' on its back that decides whether or not it's in 'master' or 'slave' position -- and hey, I'm sensing slash here! <g>), I still have a blister on my thumb, and I was totally unnerved once I'd succeeded connecting the bloody thing the bloody right way. Finally.

By now a total pessimist, I also, of course, attempted to burn the next CD in line. And got zip. Zilch. Zero. AGAIN.
I had another furious breakdown and barely refrained from smashing something against the wall.

That resulted in a horrendous mood the next day, plus about 4 hrs. of sleep. Great.

Then, I called everyone I could think of from work, begging for help. Said help varied from "deactivate the JustSpeed option in Nero" to "buy another burner" to "format your C:\ drive". I kid you not. And the last bit of advice came from ComTech. Helpful much.

Finally, I de-installed the last two music/video players I had installed a week ago, and, voilà, miracle: No more "Medium Speed Error"! And now -- <gasp> -- I can even burn at 20x speed!!!!

I was ecstatic.

Then I went into the bathroom to use the toilet, and had another fit of hysterics -- ever attempted to flush the toilet and had muddy, stinky brown water welling out of the bathtub's drain? Didn't think so. Well, I had.
And no, the landlord still hasn't returned from vacation.
Luckily, I found his son's family in the telephone book; they'll try to find someone to remedy that. Tomorrow. At least I hope so -- mabiana's coming for a visit! I don't want anyone having to deal with this little beauty. So -- I won't shower tonight (and believe me, it would have been time!), only wash my hair over the sink and hope like hell the plumber comes tomorrow. If not... someone have a gun lying around? Shooting myself sounds like a great option right now.

But then, mabiana and I will watch lots of "Oz" over the weekend, and hopefully have a good time...
I. Have. To. Be. Optimistic.

Right.
And I'll refrain from mentioning work tonight. That's a whole other topic, and not a nice one, either.

But then, I've already copied about 10 of the 44 CDs. Achievement.
And... well... I guess it can't get any worse, now, can it? Murphy's Law nonewithstanding.