I’m not sure how this lapse in technological judgment occurred, but it cost $12.
So, I was trying to update DirectX. Sam and I ordered FIFA 07 so I could properly learn “fOOt bawl,” and my computer said that since there was a new edition of DirectX out I had to update it. I’ve never downloaded DirectX before, because everything that needs it (except FIFA, apparently) comes with the necessary update loaded on the disk. I try to find it on Google.co.uk (which is what you get to if you type in google.com in the UK) and I’m brought to a bunch of sites that require me to pay for this update. I think “That can’t be!” but then, decide since I’ve never downloaded it before, and Microsoft is evil, it very well could be.
But, before paying for it, I try to see if I can get it to work without paying for it.
The UEA monitors our internet usage like Big Brother, it’s pretty obnoxious. We had to sign an agreement, a long list of things we wouldn’t do, and if we do them our internet gets cut off and it costs $100 to turn it back on.
Without committing to any badness, I just dip my toe in the water and search for the term “Keygen,” on Google. I push go.
Nothing happens.
Refresh!
Still nothing.
Skype logs off.
AIM crashes.
….
You’ve GOT TO BE kidding.
::knock knock knock::
“Dave, is your internet working?” asks one of my flatmates, poking his head through the door.
“Uh… no… that’s a big negative.”
I confide in my flatmate that I MIGHT have just got our entire flat’s internet cut off, who in good confidence, immediately tells the other 8 people we live with.
The next hour was like a power outage during a ‘nor Easter. We were all sitting in the kitchen, I made some dinner, some people just waited.
“Dammit Dave,” says Susan. “Why couldn’t you have fucked up the internet when I still had vodka?”
Juliet’s phone rings: it’s a friend in another dorm asking if our internet is working.
“No, Dave fucked it up.” (This is all being said half jokingly, half ‘did you really just ruin everyone’s internet?”)
About an hour and a half later, everyone’s internet kicked back on… mine included. Still frightened by my near-death experience (yeah, they would have KILLED me) I agree to pay Microsoft $12 for DirectX 9.0.C. annnnd the software still doesn’t work.
Annnnnd Microsoft has a warning on their site saying some British site is charging people to download DirectX 9.0.C and it’s free on “this link.” Insult to injury? The game still doesn’t work. I called tech support, they were no help.
In other news, I’m heading into London for my first weekend on the town on Friday morning. (I know I’ve been saying I’m going to London to study for about the last 2 years, I was kind of using it as a generic term because I thought I was going to be much, much closer. Technically I’m in Norwich, but it’s just a short train ride to the city!)
Don’t have classes today… going to read some of Henry IV part 1, and go into town to purchase a Fedora. (There is a fedora store in town… I’m very excited.)
Lastly, here are pictures!!! The link is to Facebook, but it’s set up so you don’t have to have Facebook, or log into ANYTHING to see them.
http://arizona.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2235610&l=3a265&id=10125855
Enjoy!!!
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