at school the day after christmas :-(

I'm feeling like a kid who had to go to school the day after christmas. Last night christmas came early for me...I bought my Apple Macbook!

Right now I want be at home playing with my new toy that will soon serve as a work computer. I'm able to be patient though, I'll have plenty of time to play during my loOoooOOoong layovers to BA. (44 days BTW)

Nick went with me to pick up my pretty new well designed piece of machinery. He didn't just go with me, but he was also my apple consultant, a financier, a body guard and then a personal Apple trainer!

We spent some time talking to an Apple guru. He was helpful in explaining some of the tools. Once he was done showing us around, Nick asked about a Military discount. Out of no where a guy jumps in and starts talking to us.... and talking....and talking. He had nothing to say that related to a discount, rather he wanted to tell Nick his own Military stories. All three of us (me, Nick and Apple guy) stood there listening to the man but after some time we realized he had nothing to say that was related to the previous conversation. Nick was a champ, he continued to nod his head to the loopie man while I asked the Apple guy more questions. Nice defense Nick!

At first I was thinking about getting a refurbished Mac with Nick's Military discount on top, but we weren't able to stack discounts. Turns out, Nicks student ID carried more of a discount, so that's the route we went (hence the financier part). Once we left the store I didn't want to carry the computer out. It was in a sleek box that had APPLE MACBOOK written on it. They should have just written "Jump me I have a computer" on the box, so I made Nick carry it. I thought that it would be less likely he would get jumped than me.

Afterward we went out to dinner (thanks again Nick), then went back to his place for some personal Apple training. I am soooo glad he showed me around. I felt like a new computer user, but once I was shown, I thought it was a more streamline approach to doing things.

Last night felt like my own personal Christmas and Nick was my own personal Santa.

the dark side

I'm thinking more and more about picking up contract work while in Buenos Aires. I'd like to spend my days teaching English and my nights working on freelance projects for 2 to 3 hours.

I'll need to invest in a new computer. 2 reasons for this. First, Jisseppii (my current computer that I have an pet like affection for) is getting old. I purchased him in college 6 years ago. He's a champ, but he has retired from working and is now used just to surf the net. It's not a good idea to rely on a 6 year old laptop for contract work. Second, from what I've been reading, computers in Buenos Aires cost 2 to 3 times as much as computers here. It's best that I purchase a computer before leaving the U.S.

PC vs Apple:
At first I thought I'd just go a head and get a PC, but now the Apple iMacs have been polluting my mind. I'm thinking of going to the dark side. I have been doing my research. I've spoken to my IT guy at work and several Mac users. My IT guy is very neutral and gives me the specs I'll need for either Mac or PC. The Mac users are overwhelmingly in favor of me joining their club. I just may?

Moment of insight

Quick post before bed..
I had a moment of insight tonight while on a meandering jog around my small town. The weather was perfect, not cold, not too hot. What I like most about night jogs is when there are no cars insight; I like to jog in the middle of the street. Towards the end of the run I said to my friend, "I just need a life change of pace". She asked, in general, what do you want to do? The word "travel" jumped out of my mouth without thought.

Then it came to me.....
Why not do freelance work while in BsAs? Why am I denying this money maker? Why did I even block this idea? Freelance work would provide me with U.S. dollars in a peso world. Even if I don't pick up much work, money will go a much longer distance south of the equator. More to come on this thought... buenas noches