I took my mac loptop in to get it repaired yesterday at an authorized repair center. It was under warranty.

They said if I just dropped it off, they’d get to it next week. I could not do that.

They said if I paid $50, they’d get to it the next 2-3 days. That wasn’t going to work very well either, especially if they needed to order parts.

They said if I paid $150, they’d get to it now. So, being that I needed my computer to do my job, I paid the $150.

3 hours later, they called me and told me to come pick up the computer, they found a major software problem in the “directory” and fixed it and it was ready. I said, “I have no idea what you just said, but great!”

30 minutes and 2 freeways later, I showed up expecting to take my computer and go. They however said that a software problem is not a warranty issue, and that it cost’s $89 to fix. They they told me that someone had refunded by $150 rush fee and that they in turn actually owe’d me $61.

This was great.

They then began to explain to me how this was because I had brought the same computer in on Saturday and already paid the rush fee for a motherboard issue. I then was faced with accepting my pure dumb luck based on someone’s mistake or to admit that I was in Mexico on Saturday and did not bring it in. I chose the later and told them of their error.

They looked confused. Asked if I was Brian Berry and confirmed my address and said the computer serial numbers matched. I said, thanks for whatever money you want to give back to me, but I did not bring in my computer on Saturday.

The tech then went to go get a salesperson. The salesperson said he thought they owed me $61. I looked confused. He went to go get the manager- who was locked in a conversation/dispute with another customer for like another 10 minutes.

The manager finally came over and said, I don’t know what seems to be the problem, we clearly owe you $61. At this point, I stopped pointing out the error of their ways, and by their demand- 20 minutes after I walked in to simply pick up my computer- took my $61 back on my Discover Card and left the building with my computer.

I wish all my transactions were this difficult if I’m going to get paid to tolerate them.

Well, finished up a lot of work last night into the wee hours of the morning. Then ran some last minute errands including medicine for my kid who has strep throat, passed the munchkins off to grandpa, and got dropped off at the airport.

After getting our bags adjusted to the right weight and such, I went to check in and discovered I’d left my wallet at home in my truck from the errands. I had my passport, boarding docs, cash… everything but the back up credit cards and my drivers license. I called my friend Sarah and she saved my butt and brought my wallet to me. I can’t believe I did that. It’s been a long time since I felt that dumb.

The last time on a trip that I can recall was with high school group and I stepped out of a car to help another vehicle in our caravan on the side of the freeway and had an envelope with 2 grand in it fall out of the car. It was in between my legs and I didn’t notice it was gone until we stopped for dinner. I had to go back and find the envelope while the rest of our group ate dinner. Oh my was that stressful.

Anyway– a crazy start followed by a bit of a crazy plane flight followed by a crazy taxi ride to our hotel in Galveston followed by a nice seafood dinner and we’re off. We board the boat tomorrow for a great week in the Caribbean. WOOO HOOOO!!.

Hopefully my brain will be more functional with more than 2 hours sleep and the “oops I left it” scenarios are all done.

Thank God for grandparents staying with the dog and kids. Thank God for friends who are willing to help a brother in need. I really can’t do life alone. I’m too stupid and needy.

Last weekend we took our youth group to the roller coasters on Saturday at Magic Mountain and then to Snow Summit in the San Bernardino Mountains to go snow boarding. Tomorrow I’m going to go spend a week with my lovely wife and some old friends in the Caribbean on a Cruise. Rock on. It’s a tough life, but someone’s gotta live it. This trip has been 2 years in the making. Can’t wait. I’ll blog daily photo collages when I get back. In the meantime here’s one from last weekend.

A man walks into a restaurant with a full-grown ostrich behind him.
The waitress asks them for their orders.

The man says, “A hamburger, fries and a coke,” and turns to the
ostrich, “What’s yours?”

“I’ll have the same,” says the ostrich.

A short time later the waitress returns with the order “That will be
$9.40 please,” and the man reaches into his pocket and pulls out the exact
change for payment.

The next day, the man and the ostrich come again and the man says, “A
hamburger, fries and a coke.”The ostrich says, “I’ll have the same.”

Again the man reaches into his pocket and pays with exact change.
This becomes routine until the two enter again. “The usual?” asks the
waitress.

“No, this is Friday night, so I will have a steak, baked potato and a
salad,” says the man. “Same,” says the ostrich.

Shortly the waitress brings the order and says, “That will be $32.62.”
Once again the man pulls the exact change out of his pocket and places
it on the table.

The waitress cannot hold back her curiosity any longer. “Excuse me sir.
How do you manage to always come up with the exact change in your
pocket every time?”

“Well,” says the man, “several years ago I was cleaning the attic and
found an old lamp. When I rubbed it, a Genie appeared and offered me
two wishes.
My first wish was that if I ever had to pay for anything, I would just
put my hand in my pocket and the right amount of money would always
be there.”

“That’s brilliant!” says the waitress. “Most people would ask for a
million dollars or something, but you’ll always be as rich as you want
for as long as you live!”

That’s right. Whether it’s a gallon of milk or a Rolls Royce, the exact
money is always there,” says the man.

The waitress asks, “What’s with the ostrich?”

The man sighs, pauses and answers, “My second wish was for a tall
chick with a big butt and long legs who agrees with everything I say.”