Tuesday Ryan and I were installing new desktop
computers at the Mangrove Bay Golf Course.
My assignment was to work on a room with three computers for Dale,
Steve, and Ed. I began working
immediately on Dale’s computer. The installation
process can be time consuming as the setup of the old existing computer must be
accessed—what devices are used and their configurations, what files must be
transferred to the new computer, etc.
After working for a good while on Dale’s computer, I started to gather
information from Steve’s old computer configuration. My intention was to start breaking down Steve’s
old computer as soon as possible. I had
in view completing Steve’s installation that day. But in the middle of the process, Ryan came in
and said that he had talked with our boss Mark.
Mark wanted me to immediately begin replacing Peggy’s computer at
Cypress Links for she would need it presently.
So I dropped what I was doing and installed Peggy’s computer. By the time I got back to Mangrove Bay, there
was only time to complete Dale’s installation.
Steve’s computer would have to wait until Wednesday. While I was thus engaged, Steve reported for
work around 4:00 pm. He immediately
expressed concerns that I may have disabled his old computer. Steve has extensive information on a specialized
tournament database that must be transferred.
Since Steve is in charge of tournaments, this is unique with his
computer. Steve and I had discussed the
challenges for transfer some months ago, but I had forgotten it. In other words, if it had not been for the
requirement to do Peggy’s computer, I would have prematurely replaced Steve’s
computer. Steve and I agreed to take all
necessary time to work on and accomplish the transfer the following day.
The whole experience has me once again musing over
the mystery of luck. If I had started
working on Steve’s rather than Dale’s computer, I would have inadvertently geometrically
increased the complexity and inconvenience of retrieving tournament data and
software. But by luck I began working on Dale’s setup first. Then I had immediate plans to break down
Steve’s computer, but by luck it
turned out I should work on Peggy’s computer replacement instead (though it turned
out she did not need the computer that day).
Then when that was complete, it was by
luck I still had to complete work on Dale’s installation. Then by
luck Steve was working a split shift (a very unusual thing), so that when he
reported for work he reminded me of the tournament issue so we could set aside adequate
time to work on it Wednesday.
I began with a quote of the youth Holden Caulfield
that wishing someone good luck “sounds terrible.” Perhaps it hints that someone is substantially
limited, not in control in significant ways.
The older I get, the more I perceive the role of luck. My understanding of so much is severely
limited. Hence my plans stand vulnerable
to widely miss the mark of optimality. So
the Holden’s of the world will hate this given their callow stance of
superiority, but I sincerely wish them good luck.
