June 10, 2009 – Like most people, I am often frustrated by the notion of customer service and tech support. But Apple computers and products have always worked for me. I wrote my first book on one of the first Apple’s, and have used Apple computers ever since. Whenever I have needed help, they have been readily available and helpful. Like a number of people who have dealt with anxiety, I tend to look for help rather than deal with things myself, something I am working hard to change. I don’t like the idea of using humans as soothers, or of seeing myself as dependent. Squawking about technology is like whining about the economy – useless and disabling.
  I have banned the term “In This Economy” from my vocabulary and life. I substitute “My Life” instead.
  We have to face the realities of our lives. This week, my Aperture system stopped loading my photos. My photos, and the blog are important to me, and getting shut down made me crazy. I started calling for help.
  This morning, I went out to train Frieda and got annoyed with myself. Why not help myself, rather than wait for somebody to arrive? I called up Apple (using Google) and a nice person came right on the line and spent a half an hour with me, readjusting the formatting in my Canon, which I had somehow altered. He was patient, and I took a deep breath and said I can do this, and I did. I am grateful to Apple, for the creative and literal support their products have given me.
 I got my camera settings right. I am loading photos and posting them again. I helped myself, which feels good.

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  A request. Many people have sent me those ludicrous images of the LED red light sheepherding. I’d be grateful not to get any more. They are blatantly fraudulent and ridiculous. Their creators have admitted to faking the video.
  Also, hundreds of people are attempting to send me their photos on Tagged and other sharing services. I can’t look at them, sorry, and I can’t go on Facebook or MySpace and be friends. And I do my Twittering right here, which is enough. Remember what E.B. White said: there are thousands of you, and only one me. Thanks.