In general, I know my limitations.
Wouldn't know how to use an electric drill. Have no idea how to put up drywall or how to make a soufflé or how to change the oil in the car.
How to set up a bigscreen TV? Wouldn't think to give it a try.
I know casseroles, cameras and washing machines. Computers? Don't even get me started.
But every once in a while, I surprise myself.
Take last week. My iPad has a keyboard. The keyboard wasn't working. I consulted the husband. The husband knows drills, and a little bit about drywall. Where computers are concerned, let's just say he has "ideas."
"Shut it down," he suggested. "Then restart it.
That usually works."
I did. But it didn't.
I reread the keyboard instructions. I was to use a green cable. I was to put one end in the iPad and one end in the keyboard. I was to watch for a blinking blue light.
I did. Again, nothing. "Go to Settings," suggested the drill-and-drywall man. "Make sure everything is synced up."
I wasn't entirely sure what he meant by syncing, but I went into Settings and gave it a look. Seemed perfectly fine to me.
"Sure it's fully charged?" asked the ideas guy.
I hammered away at the keyboard, but nothing appeared.
"Yes!" I said. "It's charged! Why isn't this stupid thing working?" The husband went back to whatever he was doing. I was left to my own devices.
I tried a little of this, and a little of that. And then a little of this some more.
Hours later, and with the workday done, we convened at the local pub for a pre-dinner pint. The son decided to join us.
We chatted about the election, and about football, and about the October weather.
"So," said the husband after a bit. "What about your keyboard?" "Oh," I said. "It's fixed." I sipped my beer. The husband looked, well, just a little bit shocked.
"Fixed?" he said. "What did you do?" "I un-installed it," I said. "Then I installed it again."
His mouth dropped.
"You did WHAT?" said the son. "This calls for a round of shots!" I opted to forgo the shots, but not the adulation. After all, I had never once imagined myself as someone who would be able to un-install anything. Indeed, most of the time when I have issues with a device of this nature, I am less inclined to figure it out, and more inclined to hurl it from a suspension bridge.
But hey, perhaps this is an indication I'm evolving, turning into someone who's able to see a problem and find a solution.
I may just change the engine oil. Not because the car may need it, but simply to see if I can.
