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techonology

#Reboot #Restore

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This week has been challenging. Not in an emotional way, but technically. I’ve been learning new skills in video, podcasts, web design, digital marketing and branding. Some has been easy, but most has been taxing on my energy and creativity.

In addition to coaching 9 clients, I’m also writing this blog, working on a podcast and new website, developing content for a YouTube show, promoting my Awesome Shit List Journals, and managing my life and supporting my loved ones in their endeavors.

Last night technology and me crashed. It started with my new WordPress site. The embedded code wouldn’t hold (aka look pretty). I read article after article and watched countless YouTube Videos, but they kept saying the same thing.

I walked away and recorded and awesome podcast - this time using an external mic on my phone and USB mic on my computer. I saved both.

I took a break to help my boyfriend out and drive his car off a pier (seriously, but in another direction). That’s when my phone decided it wanted to join the technology revolt. The screen froze and Siri decided to tell me everything she saw on my screen. I couldn’t reboot or turn off the phone. I thought “Maybe she just need a nap.” So I spent the next four hours draining down the battery

During this time, I worked with a Happiness Engineer (yes that’s a real title!) at WordPress and pinpointed the issue. After an account upgrade, I was on my way.

I thought my luck was turning around and then my phone decided to have a full on tantrum. After powering down and restarting, I got completely locked out and my phone became disabled.

I read another blog that indicated I needed to fully restore the phone. Panic filled my veins. “I’m going to lose everything.” I’m that person who hasn’t backed up her phone to the cloud in 142 days. Feel free to say I told you so.

After accepting my new cleared out existence, I downloaded iTunes and after a 75-minute install process, I plugged the phone in. Well because I couldn’t unlock the phone, I couldn’t sync and restore the phone.

This is the point the tears started. The mountain of stress and frustration came pouring out from the week. My dog sensed it and tried to comfort me, but I resigned myself to be a puddle of pity on my floor.

After 7.3 minutes, I was back in resolution mode and I looked up Apple Support. I sent tweets, direct messages and then found the live chat option. Marvin was super helpful until my chat window crashed. I logged back on after another two hours I was making progress. (Turns out on the iPhone 7 the right side button and volume down button are your friends).

I let the phone do its thing and messaged my boyfriend from Facebook messenger letting him know we were going back to 1992 communication. His car was in my garage and I needed to get it back to the pier. No sweat... except at 10:15 at the newly opened Wharf everyone and their mom was out on the street making it impossible for me to turn down the necessary street. I asked a policeman directing traffic and he said absolutely not and that’s when I lost my shit.

Tears flooded out and my body shook. I had no plan b, no phone. What do I do now. With tears still flowing out, I merged back into traffic and circled around 10 city blocks. I wished for a parking spot on the street, but that was unlikely, so my only next best option was the $35 garage.

I pulled down and pleaded with the attendant. He tried to help but his hands were tied and without a walkie talkie we were stuck. He offered me his phone, but because we’re all used to auto saved data, I didn’t remember his number.

I parked the car and took the elevator up where I ran into an old neighbor. “Are you ok?” She asked after a brief hug. “Not right now, but I hope to be soon.”

I took off to the street I was supposed to be on for the equipment pick up. After a 3 minute jog I saw him and lost it again. I replayed my night in between sobs. (Yes this is a total first world problem meltdown).

Then the hero of the story arrived Diane Groomes, Assistant DC Police Chief and Director of Wharf Security. As soon as I saw her, all of my stress from the night lifted. She walked us to the car in the garage and escorted us through crowds of people as we drove on the pier. She just has that silent confidence that lets everyone know she’s got it taken care of. Compared to my I-Just-Lost-My-Shit appearance, I couldn’t help but laugh at the contrast.

After packing up and driving off, my night continued to improve with a treat of a half price sushi and a Tito's and soda at The Hamilton and a fully rebooted and restored phone at home.

 

So if you’ve read this far, let’s keep going. Here are the lessons I learned:

  1. Technology like humans isn’t perfect. When it works it’s awesome, but when there’s a glitch it can create so stress.
  2. Back up your data.
  3. Do your research before self diagnosing. If I had read the blogs about my phone before powering it down, I could’ve saved 3 hours and an emotional meltdown (maybe)
  4. Ask for help. Apple Support and the Happiness Engineer at Word Press solved my issues in a fraction of the time it took to search and read.
  5. If it’s not working, take a break. When you’re stressed, you’re options get even more limited.
  6. Be kind. I’m happy to say I didn’t yell at anyone last night. Although most couldn’t help me, they were compassionate and understood my situation.
  7. Two copies are better than one. I ended up losing the voice recording after restoring my phone, but I do have the computer recording.

 

Lessons learned!