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Settling in - Computer cleanse

“Huh, they weren’t kidding,” I thought to myself last Wednesday. “Gary Oldman’s haircut really does look like two melted cobwebs fused to a bowling ball.
computer

“Huh, they weren’t kidding,” I thought to myself last Wednesday. “Gary Oldman’s haircut really does look like two melted cobwebs fused to a bowling ball.”

I was watching Francis Ford Coppola’s failed ‘90s comeback “Bram Stoker’s Dracula” as I absentmindedly filled a crossword. I’d heard endless complaints and praises for the film in high school and college and I’ve watched the Simpsons parody episode dozens of times, but I’d never seen the genuine article. That night, I had some free time on my hands, so when I saw the gothic romance classic on Netflix, I gave it a whirl.

It’s the definition of a mixed bag. The overall plot structure and dialogue (ripped wholesale from the original novel) seem to clash with the film’s modern depictions of gore and sexuality. Keanu Reeves delivers the worst performance of his career and probably the decade as the perpetually flummoxed Jonathan Harker. But the production design is absolutely gorgeous and Gary Oldman dominates every scene as the bloodthirsty count. It’s a middling picture, although its strengths just outweigh its weaknesses.

As I watched “Dracula,” I asked myself why I don’t watch movies more often. I used to be a voracious movie-watcher. I’d plough through entire film series in a matter of days. But I’ve noticed that I don’t watch as many flicks as I used to. I asked myself why I felt the desire to return to movies tonight as Gary Oldman transformed into a giant man-bat. As I looked over at my empty desk, I knew the answer: My computer was gone.

Something was wrong with my laptop. It was slow to start up, slow to load videos, and just slow in general. I’ve owned it for over two years and I noticed it wasn’t performing at its peak. Since my job depends on a functioning computer, I took the old girl into a repair shop. They said they’d have it fixed in two to three business days.

I went home and almost instinctively I thought about logging onto YouTube. It was second-nature. It took me a moment to remember I’d just dropped off my computer. I was going to be Internet-free this weekend.

I didn’t know what to do with myself. I spend a majority of my time at work scrolling the web looking for story inspiration or typing up articles. When I need some cheap entertainment, I’ll read online columns debating the merits of French filmmakers, or I’ll throw on a YouTube music playlist, or I’ll just peruse the digital highway for prime memes. It’s a big part of my life.

I don’t think I’m addicted to my computer, but it has gradually assumed a major role in my day-to-day life. It’s a household fixture. I’ve sunk more hours than I care to admit into that black rectangle.

So I was glad to have a forced vacation from my computer. It gave me a chance to reconnect with unread books, empty crosswords, and middling 90s horror movies. Sometimes we need a break from our Internet world. It’s an opportunity to see life beyond the glowing screen.

Of course, once I got my computer back, I logged onto YouTube to see what I’d missed. I’m only human.