Computer VS My First RenFest

HI!
This was an interesting holiday weekend, the start of which I could have done without. First, my lovely computer decided to say "goodbye" after 6 1 /2 years of faithful service this past Friday. I had just finished writing on my LJ when I heard "sizzle POP!" and all went dark......and stayed that way. The worst of the loss were my over 300+ family photos. *groan* I had them all on an ol' Win 98 and had no way of saving them. *sigh* NOW, after an emergency scramble to purchase a new computer system, I have a CD/DVD burner, but what good is that now? Great for the future, squat for the past. It really put me in the doldrums.

A question for you: Do you remember what were the most exasperating and what were the most thrilling aspects of your new computer system when you upgraded? What did you upgrade from??
My input: was Windows 98 and now Windows XP - whoopee!
I am thrilled with the different games and options for word processing but exasperated that the phone can't be connected directly to the computer anymore , there's no microphone built in and the icons are teeny weeny. (the last, I should be able to change ....I hope....)


Good News does come eventually. I went to my first ever RenFest in Vermont!!! OMGosh, it was awesome! I enjoyed so many sights, sounds and indeed, smells. (although the 'outhouse" smells I could have passed on...*gasp*!) I appreciated the hunky jousters, archers and battle ax throwers. I spoke with some lovely wenches and oogled the agile swordsmen, soaked up the lore of the sword in battle and laughed at the antics of grown adults playing in mud as The Great UnWashed....watch out for the first 3 rows people! ; when they do backwards or forward flips, you get to wear mud...I know.....it got me *grin*. I even tried a new food, always a favorite thing, Scottish Meat Pie.... it was not like anything I've ever tasted before. Before purchasing it, I asked the "wench" if it was anything like French Meat Pie , and she replied with the most adorable Irish/Scottish (?) accent " I don't know, I've never had French meat pie but if you be liking beef, I'd be thinking you will like this." *ooh, so cute!" Anyway, I think I could get used to it and I wish I knew the ingredients. I like to attempt new recipes.

I took lots of pictures, but since this is a new computer with a whole world of different programs, I've got a lot of experimenting to do before I can share them with you. NOW, I know what "Sonic" is.... AND SPIDER Solataire.....I remember when I first starting blogging and visiting the OOTB, Spider Solataire was discussed....I am looking forward to a new addiction *giggle*.

Other than that, it was a calm holiday weekend. Hope yours was a fine one and not as expensive.....at least not unplanned expensive. Planned is always good *smile*

Oh, thanks so much to everyone who offerred titles of books to read. I'm currently 1/2 way through the Givenchy Code by Julie Kenner and I picked up Heart Choice by Robin D. Owens and Hot and Heavy by Sandra Hill. Lastly, I picked up a new book by I think a first time published author....The Remarkable Miss Frankenstein by Minda Webber. The title alone gave me pause to pick it up and check it out. With a promo stating that fans of Lynsay Sands and Katie MacAlister would like this book AND I DO like both authors, I had to give it a go. Of course, anything with romance , Vampires and humor are a draw for me..as you well know from some of my older posts. I'll let you know my impressions of this book once I've read it.

Thanks so much for stopping by. Happy July!!!