Hiatus Over

The Tugboat took an unprompted, unscheduled hiatus from the Musings. There is a number of reasons for that but none of them are really good. I guess the week back got busy, then there was no weekend following that first week back and work started back up. I will recount an interesting tale about the computer upgrades that I have long been lamenting about. I orchestrated the purchase of my new motherboard (mobo) with Jonksy. This was the last crucial piece of the puzzle. I was still struggling to locate a suitable graphics card to complete the upgrade. But I went over to Jack's and we started the build. It was going smooth, old mobo out, new mobo in. The processor set in place, the new RAM slotted in. Ready to boot? Wait, the DVD drive doesn't have the right hookup so we can't install drivers, etc. Old graphics card doesn't have the right output so we can't see the display. Things are grinding to a stop. Then the error beeps began. First it said we didn't have graphics. Then we fixed that and it beeped as if we didn't have RAM. I ended up leaving the whole rig with him and went to work away the weekend. In my absence he figured out how to stop the beeping and get it to boot properly. Next move was something I was quite unfamiliar with, installing Windows. It was all done up by the time I got back there on Sunday. So I just needed to install drivers and do the finishing touches. The graphics card was old and not adequate so that needed to be replaced, so did the out of date DVD drive. It was also suggested that I purchase an additional fan for the case. I had gotten to the point where I wanted to get it all done so I snuck out of work a half hour early on Monday, March 21 and went to the computer store. I searched around and found the fan, found the fan cord, found the drive and started asking about graphics cards. I was shown one that was even better than the one I wanted and on sale. I snapped it up right quick and finished the last steps myself. I got things to run and run smooth. The internet was slow initially but with some updates I was able to get it running very fast. So the last piece of the puzzle was the piece that instigated the entire process. The game. Farming Simulator 2015. I don't understand the allure of this simple game but I am draw to it like a moth to the flame. I put it on and I have been playing it hard since. I count the minutes until work is done for the day and then get after it. I can't stop most nights until four or five hours have passed. I have missed multiple meals. I'm not sure if this is a curse or a blessing. I really do love it and can't want to get back in there. I still haven't fully switched off the old machine but that will happen slowly with time as I commit to the machine that Jacky and I built ourselves. It still boggles my mind. I'm also glad to be back. Hope you didn't miss me too much.