AMAZON

Wednesday, January 21, 2009

Fatal Errors


Back in October I purchased a new HP all-in-one printer because the ink cartridge for my perfectly good Lexmark all-in-one printer cost $10.00 more than the new printer. I really don’t understand that!

I didn’t begin using the new printer until mid-December, when every drop of the ink in the old printer had been used. When I installed the software for the new HP printer from the disk that came with it, the installation would only go so far before it stopped and I received this message:

FATAL ERROR #________

Installation Failed

Frustrating!

I tried installing the software from the disk three more times before I gave up and went to the HP Internet site and downloaded the required software that was supposedly the same as on the disk that came with the printer. Twenty minutes into the installation process, I received this message:

FATAL ERROR #________

Installation Failed

Double bloody frustrating!!

So…. I did what I should have done several installation attempts previously: I went to the HP site and searched for a definition of and fix for FATAL ERROR #________. It took a while because that error number never showed up with the fixes. However, using what logical skills I possess, I deduced that one of the fixes must relate to my problem. Without going into boring, technical details, I followed the 40 steps HP provided to fix the problem and the printer software was finally installed.

After the installation I began thinking about the number of “fatal errors” I have committed in my life. No, I ain’t gonna list all of ‘em, because that would take much too long. I am going to tell you that most of those fatal errors occurred when I attempted to do more than I am able to do. For example, trying to do homework and watch TVat the same time when I was a kid. Or, as a pastor, believing that I, alone, could address the needs of a deteriorating and dysfunctional congregation. Or, as a friend, attempting to save a drug addict from herself.

Each of the “fatal errors” that relate to those examples came from expecting too much from myself. It isn’t that the objective couldn’t be attained, but my failure came either because I tried multi-tasking when I should have partialized the situation (do the homework and then watch TV) or I depended on my own abilities and resources when the task could not be achieved by any one human being.

Yesterday, as I watched the inauguration of President Obama my hopes for the future jumped sky high. Finally, I felt, we have a president who can achieve something positive. I felt optimistic about the future, but I do not want to again make a fatal error regarding that future. Reality tells me the future will hold some very rough roads; that a smooth and quick solution for our problems isn’t possible; and that President Obama cannot alone fix what’s wrong with out nation and world.

I pray daily for President Obama. Central to my prayer is that he will have more wisdom than I have; that, even when he encounters fatal errors in the future, he will be able to overcome them. And, that we, the People, will have the wisdom and patience to allow him to do so.

 




17 comments:

  1. Great parallel in this post. I loved it!

    Regarding your personal "fatal errors"---one thing at a time, right? So true!!!

    As far as Obama I will say this: I knew there would come a day where all of his high promises and "yes we cans" would soon simmer off to, "those problems will be met"---not achieved or "solved", as his old campaign once promised. It's human for him to admit that it's going to take time and lots of work to repair our economy...but he made it SO simple for us when he was trying to get into office.

    I hope and pray that God guides him through his administration. I hope he can get us out of this deep hole we're in, and if not, at least ease the bulk of the blow for us. He's got a lot of work ahead of him and a lot of heartfelt prayers for his sanity in office.

    ReplyDelete
  2. I struggle enough with my own fatal errors, so I can't imagine taking on a nation on top of my own wee world. Then add onto the presidential heap the economic mess of late, and I'm sure that our new President needs all the prayers we can muster up for him. I'll add mine to yours.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Great post, Nick.

    I'm impressed with your focus, detective work and perseverance as you overcame your fatal error.

    May Obama and his people also have all the skills needed to bring this ship upright.

    ReplyDelete
  4. I was thinking the same thing regarding ink and printers. I have an excellent photo quality printer, but need all new ink cartridges (mine is seperate in each color, which is actually a good thing.) and to buy an upgraded version of my printer with all new ink is seriously only 20 bucks more. i think i might upgrade.

    I had a HP al in one some time ago and had multiple issues with it. Ultimately i scrapped it and went for a canon. Hope you have much better luck than i did!

    and regarding Obama... I am not saying this to be mean, but you know when someone has hyped up a movie so much.. and then you go and are dissapointed?? I certainly hope that this doesn't fall on him, but I think the amount of pressure he is under to be something spectacular may fall short and people are not very forgiving with these sorts of things in general.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Well done installing the printer Nick, I wouldn't know where to start! :(

    ReplyDelete
  6. HP's reputation has really plummeted the past few years. I'm glad you got it working.

    Here's hoping we can all work through our "fatal errors" by getting a little help and plugging away!

    ReplyDelete
  7. I came to read this post because I saw it on my dashboard and I am thinking of buying a new all in one HP printer. This certainly did not encourage me in this idea.

    But then I enjoyed where you went with the post. I am terrible about still beating myself up over fatal errors I made years ago. I know I am my own worst critic.

    Well Obama talks the good talk and I certainly hope he can make some positive changes but I do fear the task might be too big for anyone at the moment. We shall see.

    ReplyDelete
  8. This is a wonderfully written post, Saintly Nick! I not only enjoyed reading it but can resonate with your words. Thank you, dear friend.

    ReplyDelete
  9. I agree: "President Obama cannot alone fix what’s wrong with out nation and world." Unlike Mr. Bush, I think that President Obama will work with others.

    ReplyDelete
  10. fabulous post, and we can not do everything alone!

    ReplyDelete
  11. Fatal errors led to fatal exceptions...work that one out. But fatal exception is a message I used to get on my computer at work. Okay the fatal error is obviously when I expect too much from the computer, but what in all that's wonderful is a fatal exception?

    Sorry about that Nick. I enjoyed your post and know exactly what you mean...I used to believe, in my young days at work, that I was expendable. Time proved I wasn't...a hard lesson at the time, but learnt well.

    ReplyDelete
  12. Smart post there, Nick. There are few things more vexing than those 'fatal error' type messages! Glad you soldiered on and were able to solve the problem with the printer.

    ReplyDelete
  13. As to fatal errors, I wish there had been a pop up message in my life that warned me before I committed my fatal errors. But, perhaps there was, and I just didn't see it...

    I pray for Obama as well. Wonderful post.

    ReplyDelete
  14. An excellent lesson Sir. I think that our new President understands the value of taking careful steps.

    The problems we face are numerous and varied. It's going to take all of us doing what we can to turn things around.

    Sometimes I worry that some will expect more than can be done.

    ReplyDelete
  15. I would just pay the money for the cartridge. I don't like replacing things unless they no longer work. Just like my vintage TV!

    ReplyDelete