random thoughts: on unexpectations

So after having launched the redesign of the site on Monday, I had all these fabulous plans for this week:  trying out technology for new projects for the site, putting together press kits, and generally being ridiculously productive.  I was ready, you know?

And then of course, the universe conspired against me, making sure that all my "best-laid" plans went awry:  phone conferences I had forgotten I scheduled that I needed to attend to, my main computer with all of my work for the past two years crashed (gulp!), and finally, Alex came down with a fever, requiring a bit of attentive motherly care.

This is all unfortunate, of course, but you know what has surprised me?  I'm not as upset about all of this as I would have expected to be.  (Okay, I admit I had a few choice curse words for a poor unsuspecting friend I was instant-messaging on my laptop when my desktop suddenly flashed the Grey Screen of Doom, but really, other than that, I've been surprisingly calm.) The computer was under an extended warranty, so I won't have any repair costs; further, we managed to get the computer to boot up at the Apple store -- so a quick purchase of an external hard drive allowed the store clerk to begin an immediate download of all of my work.  My phone conferences actually went really well.  And, bless Alex -- I hate when she's sick, but we've had some pretty concentrated snuggle time as a result.

So, even though it's been a week full of unexpectations, and I didn't get nearly as much done as I would've liked, the truth is I also managed to get a few things done that I didn't expect, too.  And in a lot of ways, the disruptions have forced me to reflect with gratitude about a few things:  thank goodness I bought the extended warranty when I bought the computer.  Thank goodness I really enjoyed connecting with the folks on the other end of those phone conversations.  Thank goodness Alex's fever so far is mild, and thank goodness that I have a more flexible schedule than I did two years ago.

(Still, I'm saying prayers that Alex's fever breaks and the computer comes back home very soon.  I'm only human, after all.)

And on that note, have a great weekend, friends.  May your good unexpectations always outnumber your bad.

Image:  Photographed in my back garden this week, when I actually was on task.   My Nikon D300, 50mm lens.  aperture 1.4, shutter speed 1/3200, ISO 200

Song: Faith/Fame Remix, as performed by Limp Bizkit, featuring Everlast.  One of the most unexpected remixes ever.