Genuine.

Well, I have not been blogging much lately because my dad gum computer has a fatal error that is about to live up to its name and be the death of me. Now, all you computer whizzes reading this, please do not e-mail me ideas to troubleshoot it because I already know what it is.

When I "borrowed" a copy of XP from a friend who shall remain nameless, I was thrilled by the upgrade. I enjoyed it for several months and even started blogging because my computer was so much more user-friendly. Wow, what an easy fix!

Then, a sneaky pop-up window said, "Updates are ready for your computer! Click here to install now." Well, I didn't read it, I just think FREE updates have to be good. Well, it turned out to be a low-down dirty trick designed for people who "borrow" copies of software. I fell right into the trap, so I guess I deserve what I got. What I got is a message that pops up every time I log in that says, "Warning: You may be victim of software counterfeit. Someone may have sold you a copy of... that does not pass our 'Genuine Advantage' authentication process" or something like that. Yeah, I know. I click on "Resolve Later" and go about my work. This "Resolve Later" technique worked for about 90 days, until this week.

Now, about every five minutes or so, and I am NOT exaggerating, I get a fatal error and my Internet Explorer has to close down. Mid blog, mid picture upload, mid e-mail... no warning, and nothing saves. It's terrible. Every five minutes. I have already had to close my browser three times while writing this post. No joke. I am so tired of seeing "We apologize for any inconvenience." and NO, I do not want to send an error report. *sigh.

So, here are some reflections from this experience this week.

"Be content with what you have." My Windows 98 was working just fine, really. I just wanted what the Jones' had. (Well, it's 2007... GRANDMA Jones already had XP.) That's not the point. What I had was fine, and if I couldn't afford it, I didn't need it.

"What goes around, comes around." I was not going to sell it, it's just little old me, and Bill Gates is not going without dinner tonight because of my one little copy. Besides, when I get my new computer I WILL buy a copy of XP.

Bottom line: I STOLE that software. It was not Genuine. That thought process is called entitlement, and it is one of my least favorite attributes in people and in society. If millions and millions of people make "one little copy..."

"Spend some time in the slow lane." I cannot handle computer delays very well. I am okay with cashier lines, traffic, and being placed on hold, but when it comes to the computer, I get so frustrated when it takes too long to process my request. I want to shake that hourglass and strangle that little running roadrunner. It's embarrassing really.

I don't want Jack to be this way. He already is to an extent. He wants me to fast-forward through the Dora the Explorer Theme Song and get to the mission. He wants me to skip every slow song on his nursery rhymes CD. When I take a picture of him and his friends, they immediately say, "Let me see it!" and crowd around the display on the digital camera. It's crazy. He has no concept of "That show is not on right now." He has the cafeteria menu on the DVR and can pick the show he wants, and even which episode. He asked for a particular song and when I did not have that CD in the car, he said,"Momma, you need to put that song on your iPOD." His whims... on demand. Scary.

So today, I am home and he is napping. I decided to catch up on my blog and realized how frustrated I have become over a problem I caused for myself, and frankly, I deserve. This 'fatal error' came at a time that we do not have the money to buy our way out of it. I can't just buy a new computer right now. I have to see a reminder every day that I stole this software. Serves me right.

I want my life and the things in it to be Genuine - including my software.

I know God uses these little things to re-teach us big lessons.

Well, lesson learned. Again.