The Magic Touch

Tell me you have had this experience (because if you haven't, I may have a problem). You are looking for something, or trying to do something, and you just can't figure it out. So, finally, you go get someone to help you, and they do the EXACT same thing you did, and all of a sudden it works or you find whatever. Problem solved. And you know that you did exactly what they did, but feel kind of silly anyway.

I had an experience just like that yesterday. I woke up and my laptop wouldn't turn on. No lights flashing to signify life, nothing. I remembered that the adapter had come unplugged on the cord, but I had plugged it in, so I didn't double check that, and I remembered seeing that it had been charging when I turned it off, so I didn't think the battery could be low. And I panicked. Buying a new computer is not in the financial cards. Of course, I couldn't get online to check and see if there was anything I could try because my computer wouldn't turn on and, no, I don't have five thousand devices connected to the internet, so I had no way of checking other than going to the library. I couldn't even look up places to call for advice, because we don't have a phone book. And no internet means no googling the yellow pages. (And people think I'm a Luddite for believing in having copies offline. It's just common sense!) Which meant catching a bus. And I needed to do that NOW to have time to get a new computer should it come to that. I considered my options and decided I'd better take care of it ASAP. So, I found a place, (within walking distance of the library, yay!) took it in, and the wonderful repair person said, "Oh, your adapter just wasn't connected all the way." And while I did feel a bit embarrassed, mostly I felt this overwhelming sense of relief. Honestly, I had been so panicked. I could have spent hours trying to figure out that that was the problem, and just for a rational set of eyes and saving myself the stress, it was so worth it to have someone else look at it and tell me I'm an idiot. So much better than hearing someone say, "Your computer is dead. Buy a new one." Give me 'idiot' any day. (More expensive to my pride, easier on my wallet. I'm good with that).

Anyway, it reminds me of the good old days of working for the nametag company. The laser engraver would get misaligned, and I'd do everything I was supposed to, but it wouldn't work. My boss, he'd come over, do exactly the same thing, and ta-da! Worked fine. He had the magic touch. I'd actually go over and say, "I need you to come glare at the engraver and get it working again" because I knew no matter what I did, I'd never get it working again. But, when the scale got off in shipping, I was the one with the magic finger. I would show my co-worker exactly what to do and he would do it, and it wouldn't work. But it always worked for me. The scale just knew not to mess with me. And he was always embarrassed, but I totally understood because of the laser engraver situation. (We should all be worried. Machines that respond to certain people? They are becoming sentient. First step to them taking over the world).

So, to all the people who solve my silly problems and think "You're an idiot!!!", well, you're probably right. But I do have my own brand of intelligent idiocy. And if you ever need a second pair of eyes to help you feel like an idiot, feel free to borrow mine. They are very non-judgmental.