Ashes to ashes… Dust to dust…

I asked for help. People responded. I tried different things. I fiddled with software. I thingied with hardware. I turned screwdrivers, I swapped RAM, and I tried new hard drives.

But all for naught.

At 1:34 AM today, Pacific Standard Time, I declared my tablet dead. After swapping everything I could and dismantling it twice to look for any obvious trauma points, the notebook just gave up. No signs of life. No pulse. Nothing.

The tablet with which I created nearly all the comics on this site – dead. After only two years and thirteen days in operation.

This afternoon, to care for the bereaved, a funeral service was held. In attendance were the microbes that Don bought me last month. I agreed to photograph the event, so I’m not pictured anywhere.

Everybody gathered at the start of the service to find strength in unity at the foot of the deceased. Common Cold stood stoically off to the side, as Stomach Ache,The Flu, and Strep Throat held hands cilia flagella things.

The event continued with Common Cold delivering the service. Everyone was given a chance to speak, but some choked up at the opportunity. Others simply mumbled what they could through forlorn sobs. Such choice phrases as “This is so symbolic,” “I really liked his power management,” and “Dang” were heard.

When the service ended, diseases broke off into smaller groups and comforted each other through the evening. It’s rumored that one of the attendees had a little alcohol problem, but this is hardly the appropriate time to be pointing fingers, and especially without any proof.

Finally, under the strain of the emotional burden, Stomach Ache came on to Strep Throat and started trying to insert his cilia where they didn’t belong. Strep Throat didn’t seem to mind, though, and the two made out for, like, a whole hour.

At this point, I broke it up. I shook my finger, scolded all the germs, and said something authoritative like, “No more funeral for you.”

Then I cleaned up, chucked the tablet in the Burial Closet, and started looking forward to February 2nd, which just happens to be the day the Toshiba M400 tablet is supposed to come out. Until then, no more comics.