I got a pop stating that Vista found some problems with possible solutions on my computer. I clicked on it only to be brought to a page that said the issue was with my video card and they didn't have a fix for it. That was a waste of time and effort. I found it humorous that the wording was almost snarky, as if to whip out a finger and say "Screw you! You can't blame Microsoft on THIS one!" It creeps me out that the OS is keeping tabs on all the little errors, even though I clicked NOT to send the info. If it's something Microsoft related I will... otherwise I shrug it off and restart the program. It's funny how I'll use Microsoft but not trust it. Mind you, it's not like some of those "OMG! M$ $ucks!" people. I just prefer for my software not to tell me what I can and cannot install on my own computer. None of their fucking business and all that. :p

I figured I'd update my saga with the Sims 2 game. This way you can totally pity me (or be afraid). This weekend I bought the rest of the EPs (Expansion Packs) minus the Bon Voyage one. After so many people griping about the anti spyware causing computer issues I figured I'd wait for that one. Besides... I think I have too many custom downloads as it is. The only reason I'd want that one is for other stuff and you can design only so many different bathrooms and living rooms per Sim.

After installing all the EPs I clicked on the NightLife icon only to be told "You are playing the wrong version of Sims 2. Start with Seasons instead". After pitching a fit, uninstalling Seasons (which deleted all my downloads... thank G-d for back ups) I found out that Sims 2 works funky. You have to play with the latest EP, even if you only want to play one option. Go figure. So I RE-install Seasons, copy the Downloads folder back and apply ALL the patches for each game. Then I test it out. Game starts... slowly. It hangs for a bit, then loads my first Sim. Then the furniture starts flashing blue and I almost toss the damn computer out the window. After taking a deep breath (or twenty) I search the web and learn that my brand spanking new video card needs updated drivers. Twenty minutes later I finally start the game and there's no flashing. There's no custom content either. With that I shut the damn thing off and go to bed. The next morning I try it again and the custom content is there... but my Sims house has all the furniture replaced with standard furniture. Whatever. It's there and I'm happy.

I'm looking forward to the extras that University EP (Zombies) and Pets EP (Werewolves) have. I'm thinking of making a Zombie apocalypse town and see what I can do with it. I just have to make sure I can actually kill them. Wouldn't that be awesome? I'd make Mini Shaun and Ed characters (from Shaun of the Dead) and let the head bashing begin.

I am too obsessed with my computer. I think I need to just step back and leave it be. After buying 2 more gigs of Ram I learned that the computer will only read up to 3.12gbs. The only way I can get it to read all four gigs is to buy a 64 bit OS. Considering how much of a pain Vista has been so far I can't imagine paying money for another version. Then again, buying XP since it is not going to be supported at some point in the future seems sort of pointless.

All this over a fucking game, too. Since I've bought Sims 2 I've been obsessed with all the custom options. Clothing, furniture, hair, makeup, etc... I have been downloading more than playing. So what do I do? Go out and buy more expansion packs. Yeppers, it's terminal. The game is so fun though. I never in a million years thought that it would be something I'd like. EVER! Now I'd rather play then chat, post or do anything else. Dude... I think I need intervention. Strike that. Anyone trying to come between me and my Sims 2 game will leave with bloody stumps.

I'm still sick, but at least I'm getting better now that the antibiotics are starting to kick in. Yay for having a weak immune system. My boss actually sent me home a little earlier the last two days, which shows you how bad off I was. I think she appreciates that I'm even there. She'd better....

I lost all my Sims characters... and even a new batch. I finally gave up and reinstalled the damn thing. I think I'm getting too impatient with it because I was at a different level and didn't want to go back to the beginning. Oh well. Between trying to find all the correct versions of software for my new computer (fucking Vista) and deciding which hard drive will be internal VS external (the computer only has room for two internal) I've been a busy gal. I'll be glad when this is done with and I can get back to just fucking around.

Seriously... This has been the week from hell. And I'm not even talking about the cold from hell that has had me housebound (and my boss pissed at me). It all started because I wanted to play my Sims game (except for the getting sick. That was a coworker's fault).

My power supply started failing so I went out to buy a new one. Then my game started to get choppy because of all the downloads so I went to buy more RAM... then a new video card. My video card fried my old motherboard and I went out with a fever to buy a new computer. Six trips to Best Buy later I was home with a new computer, new video card and an external hard drive to move all my shit over. So of course the new computer has Vista, which means some of my programs don't work. It's pretty... but pretty doesn't cut it when I can't use my Photoshop. At one point Jake came home and I started talking about hearing church bells chiming (there's not a church even close). He sent me to bed.

Last night I decided to try my Sims2 game. It loaded just fine, but when I went to choose a Sims house it just held there. The computer says that it's running (instead of not responding), so I am at a loss. I created a new Sims character and was able to move them into a house. I went back out, then was able to choose that Sims' house. I tried one of my other Sims and still can not access them. I am so pissed right now. I'd gladly trade my new computer for my old one just to have all my stuff. *sigh* Oh, here's the new computer specs:

AMD Athlon 64 x 2 Dual Core Processor 4400+ 2.30GHz
2046MB RAM
NVIDIA GeForce 8600 GT Video Card
Vista Home Premium

I'm hoping I can find someone that will help me save my Sims. *crosses fingers* Yeah, I'm obsessed...

Oh, and by the way... It's easier to get two female Sims to have sex than when I created Mini Jake and Mini Me. I'm just saying...

The good news is the power supply is officially switched. The bad news is now it checks my other hard drive every time I sign on. The worst news is that I am sick and have a fever. Fuck this...

With my Sims2 game in high gear I have decided to get more RAM for my computer. Right now the 1 gb isn't enough to play the game and have other applications open without the game dragging. I also have been a downloading fool when it comes to Sims2 clothing, hair, objects and furniture. Unfortunately that all takes up memory to have and I'd rather get more than turn everything else off.

After trolling the usual stores I decided on New Egg since they're the cheapest. A special thanks to my friend Pos for dealing with my 'OMG WTF' questions about how I know what the limit on RAM is for my self built computer. Now I just have to wait....

Just a few of the things that I have been going through this week. The fan for my heatsink died, leaving me computerless for a couple of days. I was not amused. I've been getting ready for my pre-op appointments next week so it added to the 'not so happy' phase. Hopefully those will go well and I will be on my way to a healthier me.

Oh, and last night I got a rude awakening from my boyfriend. There I was, sleeping like a baby when Jake stumbles to the bathroom. A few minutes later he stumbles back in and plops down on my bad knee. You know, the one I've already had surgery on ONCE? Yeah, so anyway... I kicked him off the bed with my other leg and he starts griping at me. I'm in a fetal position trying to breath and he's bitching about being kicked onto the floor. I should have kicked him in the head. :P

Friday night JakeD decided to replace my old DVD player with the DVD burner he bought me for my birthday. I don't know what I need the burner for, but I figured I'd ask for it just in case something popped up. He put it in without a glitch and then pressed the power button. Nothing happened. He pressed it again. Zilch. He looked over at me playing on his computer with an 'oh shit' expression. After messing with it for over an hour I called it in. My computer was DOA at 8:15PM. I let out the usual "NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!" before going into despair. I did the only rational thing a person with a boyfriend, DVDs, a television (to watch them on) and music to listen to would do: I went to bed. The next morning we met our friends for breakfast and then made a B-Line to Best Buy's Geek Squad. I will never make fun of them again. Don, the guy who helped us, was really nice. After filling out the paperwork and telling me what they'd do I was turning away when he said, "We'll call you in a few days". I almost had a heart attack. "A fe... Fe... huh? DAYS?!" We started the rapid apologies about not asking/telling the time frame before filling everything out and he asked me to hold on. After going into the back he returned saying they could do a quick check of the power supply (which is what I thought it was) and let me know. Relieved I left. He called me within twenty minutes to say it was the power supply. I also had a bad CPU fan. He said they didn't have the kind I had on it and to just 'put a regular fan in front of the computer' in the meantime. I called :Bane: who balked and said any kind would do. I redialed Best Buy and Don said they'd do it. By 3PM Saturday I was back online. I know there is going to be a time when I need to disconnect from my computer addiction... but I want it to be on MY terms. Perhaps a trial separation, then custody battle followed by great make-up se... errr... nevermind.

I bought a router on Saturday that Pos suggested. It was a great price. Now if it will only get here. I sent the company an email to ask for the status and recieved a form letter saying to wait 2 working days after ordering it for the request to be processed (it's been three). What ever happened to someone actually responding to questions? Now it's three days and I dont even have a fucking tracking number. If I don't get one by the end of today I'm going to start laying the smack down on these jokers. *rolls up imaginary sleeves* Ph34r me... Or something like that.