Archives for June, 2006

My computer (above) still has broken beads. (source)

Friends, Carniolans, Spammers, Nigerians looking for investment partners:

The rumors of my death have been kinda exaggerated and stuff. I’m still here, although computer-less. 

But in the few minutes now afforded to me, let me quickly put an end to some of the rumors that have been raging in the comments section: First, this blog is not dead. Think of it more as an an artificial coma. As soon as my keyboard returns to my trembling hands, Carniola will be up and running with a vengeance that will make the vengeance in 1981’s "Deadly Vengeance" look like a mere "Forced Vengeance." My vengeance will be like "Scrotal Vengeance" and "Black Vengeance" put together, times a zillion. Except even more vengeful.

Second: I do not have a life.

Third: I can’t believe how long it’s taking my computer to get repaired, but I know that the customer service folks in Austria haven’t even looked at it yet. My impatience is compounded by the fact that the repair is probably very simple. (The power button stopped working.) I feel reasonably sure that I could have cracked it open myself and fixed it, but that would cancel my warranty — something I’m not keen on doing. So, I had to send it to Austria. Getting it there was an outrageous adventure in itself, culminating with a lousy trip to UPS Österreich, where I made the mistake of saying that I was from Slovenia. (I’ve never before seen smiles deflate so quickly, or people suddenly become so unwilling to help me.) It was depressing. I know I’ve complained about Slovenian customer service before, but at least I’ve never been treated like dirt for being a foreigner before. That’s a whole new level of cruminess.

At any rate, I don’t know when I’ll be able to return. I’m hoping to be back in action by July. I’ll try to post more details as soon as I know them.

Thanks to everyone for being patient and the kind words of encouragement.

Over and out,

Majkl

UPDATE: My computer is said to be fixed and on the way. However, the roads from Austria must be dangerous and fraught with peril (requiring expert guides and armed guards) because they shipped it 11 days ago and I’m still unplugged. Amazingly, they initially didn’t even want to send it to Slovenia; they insisted on an Austrian address. This despite the fact that I bought it here, and despite the fact that I’m practically straddling the Austrian-Slovenian border. I’m roughly the same distance from their service center as Innsbruck. Now it’s probably strapped to a mule, lost somewhere in the Alps. So much for ever-closer Union. (More updates as soon as I can)

UPDATE2: Amount of time it takes to drive from Wels, Austria to my home: 2-3 hours.
              Amount of time it’s taking DHL to make the same journey: 20 days (and counting)