11.15.06
Acceptable Frustration
I’ve decided that my husband actually enjoys being frustrated. Maybe it comes along with being an engineer. There must be some acceptable level of frustration in any task in order for it to be enjoyable.
Before the Zune, he had several different iPods each of which he sold via Craigslist (at least he told me he sold them). Last year, he bought a video iPod for me as a birthday present, and pre-loaded it for me with all sorts of things. (My favorite was a home video of him telling me happy birthday, which I won’t let him erase.) Apparently, the iPod wasn’t enough of a challenge for him. That’s why he wanted a Zune.
When things work too well, he has nothing to “do.” Nothing to fix. But give him a Zune and he is in heaven. The constant discovery of how the black box works is what excites him. The Zune software freezes…just reboot and try again. Can’t delete a file from the Zune software? Just delete it from the computer hard drive so the Zune can’t find it any more. It’s figuring out all the tricks and work-arounds that makes him happy.
Fortunately, I have a little of that need for frustration too. Probably one of the reasons my husband and I get along so well. I like solving problems. Being stumped for a while gets my brain going, and I love the satisfaction I feel when I overcome the intellectual obstacle. When I think of how boring life would be if there were no problems to solve, I am happy to have some problems that I will never be able to solve. They give me something to think about.
Problems I can’t solve, but I like thinking about? Just how big is the universe, and how many other planets out there have life? What will the world be like in 20 years? Is it possible to improve public education in the US in general, or can it only happen one school or one teacher at a time?
One of my current unsolvable problems that I’m not so happy about? If I believe in the gospel of Jesus Christ as taught by the doctrines of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormons) and my husband believes in God but not religion, will it be possible for us to be together forever after this life? Sometimes this question keeps me up at night. But, I know God loves me, He loves my husband, and we love each other. I have faith that because of all that love, God will be able to work something out.
11.14.06
Birthday Zune
This year, my husband shared his birthday with the Zune launch date, so of course he wanted one. Thanks to Amazon.com, it arrived home before he did today. By the time I got home from work, he already had the software installed (which took almost an hour after a couple of computer restarts). I had read the reviews and guessed we were in for a long night. Not that I would have any part in the process, but I knew my husband would insist on giving me the complete play by play as I made him a birthday dinner. (Sometimes I wonder whether having the computer within shouting distance of the kitchen is a blessing or a curse. Then again, the entire house is within shouting distance. I just wonder if the neighbors can hear.)
Two and a half hours after I arrived home, he was successful in finally getting the Zune software to recognize the device, and then quickly moved on to wireless, loading video, and other stuff. Fortunately, I know that in his mind, the installation and device recognition was akin to labor. Unpleasant but, after the excitement of getting it all to work, he’ll forget the pain and find nothing but joy in playing with his Zune.
A few things he learned in the Zune process: 1) To disconnect the Zune, you have to remove the cable from the Zune. Unplugging the USB end of the cable does zilch. 2) As with all Microsoft products, when it crashes, reboot the computer and things will probably work the next time around. 3) You don’t have to set up an ID for the Zune to get it to work.
As I said, he is happily playing now. It will probably be hours before he comes to bed. By the time I wake up, he’ll have loaded 29 of the 30 available gigs with movies, music, and random stuff. I give him a 50% chance of remembering to put a picture of his wife on it, unless he thinks of reading this post. Then I give him an 80% chance of remembering.
