Does iCloud look like this...or just a fluffy little one?
| June 5, 2017

The Cloud

You Know, I just realized why I’ve been so freaked about dealing with the Cloud on my computer. It’s my childhood nightmare. As far back as I can remember, if I had a bad dream, it was of a huge black cloud looking to get me. I was always crouched behind something big, like a tiny pin behind a couch. When I’d peek out I’d see it looming up over everything, as high as a ceiling, filling all space above. But it wouldn’t see me, and I’d duck back, terrified. The drama was always the same. When I’d awaken, I’d still be so afraid. I remember having it every so often up to my teens. Maybe once again during those times and perhaps again in my 20s. As a teen, I remember thinking, I haven’t had that dream in a long time.” In my 20s, Gosh it’s been ages since I had a nightmare.

The Process

Wednesday evening

Message to a friend.

Me: Hi, I’m really a nervous wreck when it comes to iCloud. Would you be able to help me?

Her: Depends on what you mean. I have my photos in iCloud.

My thoughts: Yes, yes, that’s what I’m supposed to delete.

Her: I just do whatever Apple suggests.

Two T V Programs later—thinking—I have been trying to do that.

Me: Thanks for responding. Can’t talk right now. Tomorrow?

Her: Probably, LOL. I’ll be in and out. Enjoy the rest of your evening. Make some sweet dreams tonight. Z Z Z Z

Thursday 5:24 p.m.

Me: Feeling like you’ve got my back enabled me to tackle “the cloud” today. So I’m part way there. I’m trying to empty extraneous stuff out of storage so my phone doesn’t have fits about backing up. Too me f-o-r-e-v-e-r but I’ve done some good. Sadly, I found that the videos from my party this summer wouldn’t play. “This format is not supported.” 🙁

The Revelation…or What Elation Can Do.

Friday

on the iPad—the emotional set up

After reading some in my mystery, losing the page, searching for it again, giving up, getting coffee, looking some more, finally finding it only to have it time out when a phone call distracted me, I was so frustrated, so I did something else.

In the process, I decide I’d accidentally dome something right. MY TEXT RISES AGAIN. That bug has been annoying me no end for a couple of weeks. And the elation of this elimination was so great that I decided I felt good enough to go back to work on iCloud.

I reread the last imessage from yesterday and There It Was.

My little pin figure tracking that big old cloud…And He Was Going Down!

Frieda Kirk is a long time Washington resident who does not love iCloud.

SHARING STORIES is a weekly column for and about the 50 plus crowd living in the Puget Sound region. Send your stories and photos to ariele@comcast.net. Tell local or personal stories; discuss concerns around aging and other issues; share solutions, good luck, and reasons to celebrate; poems are fine too. Pieces may be edited or excerpted. We reserve the right to select among pieces. Photos are always a plus and a one-sentence bio is requested (where you live, maybe age or career, retired status, etc.).

SHARING STORIES is featured on http://www.northwestprimetime.com, the website for Northwest Prime Time, a monthly publication for baby boomers, seniors, retirees, and those contemplating retirement. The newspaper can be found in the greater Seattle area and other Puget Sound locations. For more information, call 206-824-8600 or visit http://www.northwestprimetime.com. To find other SHARING STORIES articles on this website type “sharing stories” in the search function above.

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