Queen of the Re-runs!

I had long thought about writing this post about my favorite network, a network that 90% of the time is running programming that I've already seen before. Ahem, that I have memorized.

That network is SOAPnet. I had "heard" of SOAPnet for years and I was jealous of those who had it, especially when FX stopped airing the reruns of BH 90210 and they moved off of basic cable. A couple years ago when I changed cable plans, low and behold I had SOAPnet. Lord, I thought I am never leaving the house now. I love "Breakfast in Bed" every weekend as I get four or five of my precious 9-0 episodes, along with some One Tree Hill, OC, and Gilmore Girls. All shows I've watched and enjoyed; over and over and over again. (This isn't a new habit for me by any means. I spent all of college writing papers with a favorite move like "Shag" or "Steal Magnolias" playing in the background.)

SOAPnet also has a little bit of original programming- or newer programming that they've purchased from other countries like Canada. I know my friend Melissa was a big fan of their silly hockey show, MVP, with the tagline, "He shoots, she scores!". Truly one of my favorite things to watch is the delightful Being Erica. I think I may have mentioned this show before. It's a sweet little show that I really identify with in many ways. The main character is Toronto native Erica Strange. She is 33 years old and life hasn't turned out quite the way she thought. She beings "therapy" with Dr. Tom that allows her to relive her list of biggest regrets. Erica is played by the adorable Erin Karpluk.

You might recognize her from other roles on shows that are filmed in Canada- especially the CW's Life Unexpected. She plays the radio show producer and since this show was just picked up, I hope that means will be seeing more of her.

Erica is a bit of a disaster and although I say that I identify with her, I will say that my life is a lot more "together" than hers is. What you will love though is her flashbacks- to magical times like 1992 where you will revel in the fashions and the music that we all wore! They've had two seasons so far, and I honestly find that I wish there was a new season coming sooner than it is.

You can imagine my unhappiness on Friday when I glance at my phone and see a headline that my SOAPnet is going off the air! Now granted, not till January 2012, but still! Apparently parent company Disney is going to relaunch a Disney Junior station. (Damn kids....) Also annoying is the fact that viewership is up to SOAPnet 75 million viewers! I get it- it was launched as a platform for people to watch their soaps at night, and with streaming video online and DVR it really isn't necessary anymore. I can live without re-runs- I can watch them on DVD, but what about Being Erica? I hope that this show lives on and makes it to DVD!

So what's wrong with me that this is how I want to spend my time? Is this a greater indicator of the stress in society? I'm too tired to focus on watching and enjoying a new show, and would rather half pay attention to something I've seen before.

I guess I have to take this a sign- to find some new hobbies and get out of bed on the weekends and do something more productive. I guess I didn't need Dr. Tom or therapy to help me figure that out.

I think Erica Strange would be pleased.......

On this latest episode of "What the Helen"

I live on the edge apparently. Well, not really. If you know me (and most of you reading this are some of my nearest and dearest) you know me to be fairly cautious and not a huge risk taker.

Since about five years ago when I became aware of the idea of a USB drive, I was excited to find a away to hold a large amount of information and carry it around easily. I bought my first drive, a little pink one that probably had 1 GB at the most. I pretty quickly had tons of important things on it. I also found that I was bumping it and bending it a lot. I also lost the cover to it. This is me people. I soon discoverd a different kind of drive that would have a retractable usb piece. Perfect, I thought. Something I could protect more easily and not lose a cover to. (See I was problem solving.) I took my whole pink drive and dropped it onto my new SanDisk Black retractable drive. I've often thought I should work for Consumer Reports. If things could survive me, they can survive anything.

The little black drive mostly lived and traveled in the inside pocket of my handbags. Sometimes my bag would fall over in the car and I would find the drive between the front seats of my car. Again, that's my life. Eventually I thought I needed a little more security in carrying it, and I purchased a holder for two drives (and purchased a nother SanDisk drive for just pictures). The little black holder continued to live mostly in my purse. Sometimes I would leave it at school or forget it at home. Sometimes it would slide beneath the cushions on my couch. Are you starting to see a pattern with me here.....but see I always found it.

Two weeks ago, I was being especially lazy when putting my school laptop back in my Cole Hahn leather bag that I will sometimes carry it back and forth in. I left the drive sticking out. I will admit that I've done this before. Well it got bent. Now I think I mentioned that I bent the previous pink drive and I've kind of bent this one too- even though I bought it because I thought it was "unbendable". Here's where I make the big mistake- I bent it back. I'm pretty sure that this was the kiss of death. Now this was the night before a really, really big day at school (Thursday) and right before vacation. I never checked the drive situation until the following Monday.

On Monday, I needed to use the drive to retrieve something. Have I mentioned that basically my whole life was on this drive. I have a lot of stuff on my school server, but this black drive contained my GRADES, my REPORT CARDS, my COMMENTS, tons and tons of files everything. Ready for this- I haven't backed up any of these things. Nada. Zippo. You see, I live on the edge.



I don't know what would possess me not to have these things backed up, especially since we moved this year to a stupid electronic report card in Excel. I just "didn't". So, I'm freaking out realizing that the computer doesn't "recognize" the drive at all. It's not like the good old days when you could force the computer to recognize the disk drive. I try several different computers. Nothing.

I start hunting on line- for forums, or other people in the same boat. Some leads point to talking directly to the Sanddisk people may help. Guess where they are located? West Coast, of course.

Next morning, I'm waiting to talk "live" with someone at Sanddisk. To quell my stomach, I decide to go up to Best Buy and talk to the Geek Squad. Geek Squad makes me sign away my life before they will even stick it into one of their computers. They were back in like two minutes- sorry, there's nothing we can do. We could send it away and they can probably recover everything for HUNDREDS of dollars!


I begin to panic a little more. I go home and log on to the West Coast. The nice SanDisk guy says he can help me. Then he hears the break down and he delivers the bad news-he can't help me either but here's the name of company in Florida they use and their phone number.

Lord. So I immediately go to that company's website. I start scanning their information. Good news- my drive is so small, 1GB, and they have an arrangement with San Disk, that this will only cost me $75! I immediately call (which should show you I mean business since I hate to order pizza) I get to speak with Ray. He is very kind. Emails me something else I need, which I immediately fill out. I run to CVS and buy a little package mailer. Off to the Post Office.

This was Tuesday of my vacation. I mail away my "life" on a busted USB drive and my credit card number.

Friday, Ray calls and leaves me a message. Ready for this- all set Helen, we have all your files and they are on a CD and are in the mail back to you. I got them on Monday, one week after I mailed it away. I want to send SanDisk and this little company in Florida a big thank you!

That's my life, ladies. That is "What the Helen". I almost totally screwed myself, but it all worked out. And yes, I have learned my lesson. For this aspect of my life.....

Make me feel better- have you ever done something stupid like this, when you know better in theory?