I don't know what happened to the computer but eventually many hours later, we got it to start and Windows slowly limped into action like a wheelchair-bound granny on steroids. We are probably going to have to re-install Windows XP this weekend. When it tells you that you need to approve the system root directory to go into your start-up process, that generally isn't a good omen....

But during the "wilderness hours" (the time when the computer was in its electronic coma), I wandered about aimlessly. As someone who spends most of his day online, I suddenly found myself at a loss. Should I go outside and sample some of that "fresh air" that I've heard so much about? Should I finally go and see the new bakery around the corner for the first time that opened its doors three years ago? Or maybe I could start to wash the dishes from two weeks ago? The possibilities were boundless, the world so open! I was free! free! free!

But then the internet came back. "wonder what's on Digg?" I thought, and I sat down.

Panic over. Whew. Hope that doesn't happen again. I don't think my heart can stand another shock. No internet? Doesn't bear thinking about.