The Missing Manuscript

on February 16, 2010
in All Posts

I’m in the stage of the book process when the publisher’s copywriter just reviewed the book with a fine-toothed comb to suggest grammatical edits and other small changes.  I looked at the suggested changes this afternoon and was about to send the file back to Gotham Books when I realized…. My computer ate the file!  It was GONE!  187 pages with over 100 edits had just disappeared!

 

I was sad.  So was Maggie.

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I check all of my folders, did a search for the file name, looked through my Carbonite backed-up files, and looked in Recent Documents – not there! Gahhhhhh!  I really HAD to have this done today, too, so I can start my freelance article tomorrow.  Instead of wallowing in my misery/throwing my laptop across the room in frustration, I decided to buckle down and go back through the entire original document as the sun set outside my window.  It didn’t take as long the second time, thankfully!

 

But by the time it was over, I was way too tired to do my scheduled run… Hopefully, I can just make it up tomorrow!

 

Snacks today included Pumpkin yogurt and 1 serving of granola:

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Probably 1.5 servings of Triscuits and salsa (which, I was told on Twitter, counts as a vegetable!):

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And Chai tea:

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I got the Husband a new tea pot (he loves tea pots…) for Valentine’s Day.  It’s so nice and classy.  🙂

 

Dinner was a veggie mish-mash of corn, roasted mushrooms, and roasted asparagus, as well as about 2 – 2.5 servings of baked beans.  I made the mushrooms and asparagus by coating them in olive oil, soy sauce, and pepper and cooking at 375 for 20 minutes.

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Dinner was kind of light because my snacks were so substantial (I was fueling for the good workout that never was)!  But it was yummy and delicious… my version of vegetarian BBQ, I suppose.  🙂

 

Time to TV – Tuesday is such a good TV night!

{ 58 comments }

 

  • Emily Eats and Exercises February 16, 2010, 9:42 pm

    Oh that is the worst! Good for you for getting right back to work.
    My friend deleted a whole chapter of her senior thesis the night before it was due. I remember bringing her lots of coffee and treats while she scrambled to finish it. Sometimes computers are SO frustrating!

  • Madeline - Greens and Jeans February 16, 2010, 9:44 pm

    Holy smokes Caitlin! My senior year of college I lost a 25 page paper the morning before it was due (I was working on it at the library and I lost my USB) and had to retype the whole thing in 4 hours! Ugh!

  • Cynthia (It All Changes) February 16, 2010, 9:46 pm

    Oh no! I had that happen to a sermon I was editing for seminary once. Made the evening a long one but your are right it is a lot easier the second time around.

  • Jessica @ WHY DONTCHA RUN February 16, 2010, 9:48 pm

    You’re so good for staying calm. I probably would have lost my mind at that point. Not that it would have gotten me anywhere or fixed the problem… LOL

  • Evan Thomas February 16, 2010, 9:48 pm

    That really really sucks. I guess, if there is a bright side, it’s that things usually turn out better the second time we do them. But still…
    I think I like your BBQ better than a real meaty one

  • Anna @ Newlywed, Newly Veg February 16, 2010, 9:56 pm

    OH NO!!! Ugh– good thing you didn’t panic! I guess it’s done now, right?!?

  • Gwen February 16, 2010, 9:59 pm

    Sorry the computer ate your “homework” but kudos for buckling down and just doing it again. I am sure you will get a great run in tomorrow now that it is done!

    What are you watching on Tues? My man and I were lamenting that there is nothing on tonight! Haha

    • Caitlin February 16, 2010, 10:59 pm

      OMG! Lost and American Idol!

  • Megan @ Eat.Scrap.Run February 16, 2010, 10:00 pm

    So sorry you lost all your work but glad you got through it again. Now you can sleep tonight knowing that you had a very productive day!

  • Tonyne @ The Unlikely Success Story February 16, 2010, 10:03 pm

    Sorry you lost your work! What a bummer! Glad it went faster the 2nd round.

  • Niki@ Niki's Neverending Adventure February 16, 2010, 10:07 pm

    Oh no! So sad 🙁 At least you were able to go back and redo it quicker than the first time! I’m so glad to learn salsa counts as a veggie! Seeing as it is one of my favorite foods and all… Love some chai tea too!!

  • Morgan February 16, 2010, 10:08 pm

    SUCH a bummer! I feel so frustrated for you, but I know you’ll make it all OK!
    I collect teapots actually!

  • Matt February 16, 2010, 10:09 pm

    I hope you watched LOST tonight!

  • Jessica @ The Process of Healing February 16, 2010, 10:11 pm

    I saw that on twitter about the manuscript…how awful!!!! You handled it amazingly though.. i would’ve been more apt to throw my computer across the room.
    Gorgeous teapot!

  • Kt F @ ThroughTheFinish February 16, 2010, 10:16 pm

    Ohhh that sucks so MUCH! I’ve been there, I can’t even tell you how many papers I’ve written that have been sucked into some vortex, never to return. That’s usually when I’d bang my head on the wall, eat ice cream from the carton, and lay down on my roommate’s floor bitching and moaning until she’d throw something at me. Ah, nostalgia.

  • Allie (Live Laugh Eat) February 16, 2010, 10:18 pm

    Ahhhhhh!!! My heart goes out to you!!! There have been so many tears shed over compie eaten docs. Worst things could happen (perhaps?) :).

  • Grapeful February 16, 2010, 10:20 pm

    That’s terrible! Carbonite is a paid service, right? A lot of good it did in this situation… Glad to hear that you were able to buckle down and get it done anyway. I’m sure missing one exercise session won’t hurt.

    • Caitlin February 16, 2010, 11:00 pm

      yes it is! i think i would be more pissed at carbonite if any record of the document ever existing was actually on my computer – its like it vanished into thin air!

  • BridgetP February 16, 2010, 10:22 pm

    Ack! I can’t imagine how panicked you must have felt! Congrats on getting it all done – maybe you even caught a few more things the second time around!

  • caronae February 16, 2010, 10:25 pm

    I’ve always wondered how pasta sauces and salsas can count as veggies when tomatoes are a fruit, lol?

    • Caitlin February 16, 2010, 11:01 pm

      its like pumpkin, which everyone sees as a veg but is really a fruit!

  • Leena February 16, 2010, 10:36 pm

    oh no! that’s awful! it’s the worst feeling when you lost something and don’t know if you can get it back.. i hate getting panicked like that, but good for you for getting it all done! you definitely have some awesome determination!

  • Nicole of Raspberry Stethoscope February 16, 2010, 10:39 pm

    what brand of can baked beans do you get?

    • Nicole of Raspberry Stethoscope February 16, 2010, 10:40 pm

      ok my question seems insincere in light of your missing manuscript. I’m sorry:( glad it didn’t take as long the second time though. where the heck could it have gone?!! so bizarre

    • Caitlin February 16, 2010, 11:01 pm

      haha its ok! the computer ate it, who knows?

      i like bush’s brand

  • Jenn @ Livewellfit February 16, 2010, 10:47 pm

    Blah computers! Why aren’t there little men living inside who can say, why yes Caitlin I have all of that right here for you. How fab would that be? So sorry…enjoy some TV and much needed decompress time.

    • Caitlin February 16, 2010, 11:01 pm

      dude that would be awesome – someone should really invent little men for the computers

      • Jenn @ Livewellfit February 16, 2010, 11:09 pm

        My fiance is an engineer for microsoft…consider it a project in the making. How great would they be though?!?!

  • Angela(the lady loves to eat) February 16, 2010, 10:48 pm

    Good job not throwning your computer out the window because I’m pretty sure that’s what I would have done!

  • Jolene (www.everydayfoodie.ca) February 16, 2010, 10:50 pm

    Salsa definitely counts – it is really good for you!! Pico de gallo too!!

    That sucks so bad that you lost all that editing work – but good for you for having the right attitude about it and just getting it done again. I once lost an entire 20 page paper that I had written for a class … the night before it was due. Brutal!

  • Molly February 16, 2010, 11:00 pm

    oh I had that happen to a 16 page paper last semester it was horrible.. i cannot even imagine a 187 some pager.. omgosh I would be in freak out cry mode… you are so calm.. how do you do it?

    • Caitlin February 16, 2010, 11:02 pm

      i just think i didnt have the energy to freak out for too long. 🙂

  • Danielle (Coffee Run) February 16, 2010, 11:26 pm

    AHH sorry about losing the files- when that happens to me I’m usually devastated (like, on the verge of tears).

    And of course salsa counts as a veggie!

  • Alison February 17, 2010, 12:32 am

    gosh you have such a great attitude. glad it all worked out. you’ll be able to have a stronger run tomorrow for sure knowing the book stuff’s all taken care of.

  • Hillary [Nutrition Nut on the Run] February 17, 2010, 12:44 am

    Okay, okay…no more starring at your pumpkin yogurt. I must find me some canned punkin this weekend…

  • eatingRD February 17, 2010, 1:32 am

    Oh my gosh, so frustrating, but maggie is just too darn freakin cute! I think I’d like to throw my computer out the window sometimes. Computers are great when they work, but the worst when they don’t. glad you got it done again! I signed up for echelon and am so excited I can hardly stand it. I have been trying to brew up some fundraising ideas. Have a good week!

  • Freya @ foodfitnessandfreya.wordpress.com February 17, 2010, 2:53 am

    Oh no, you poor thing! Well done for staying so CALM! That’s the kind of situation where I would’ve have a major meltdown :p at least you got it done now 🙂 I hope tomorrow is better!!

  • Laura February 17, 2010, 3:52 am

    I saw your tweets regarding the Manuscript & my heart sunk a tiny bit, i’m deeply sorry but great job keeping your composure.

  • MegaNerd February 17, 2010, 6:28 am

    Gaaaah… that sucks!

    You should have saved the file, and come ran with me. booo.

  • christie, honoring health February 17, 2010, 6:33 am

    Oh man, I am so sorry! How frustrating that must have been! Glad you finished though.

  • Maggie February 17, 2010, 6:41 am

    Quick question, Caitlin. Do you have to have a food blog to be able to attend Healthy Living Summit ’10?

    • Caitlin February 17, 2010, 8:35 am

      no definitely not! we were about 50% readers last year and loved it. you’re part of the community, too!

  • Stacey February 17, 2010, 7:02 am

    I hate that happened to your file 🙁 I would’ve probably thrown the computer, but you have more willpower! Glad you were able to get it done 🙂

  • Heather @ Side of Sneakers February 17, 2010, 7:28 am

    Oh no!!! I would have thrown myself a pity party!

  • Sarah (Running to Slow Things Down) February 17, 2010, 7:32 am

    Ugh…that is exactly why I hate computers so much sometimes! So sorry that happened to you!

  • Nicole, RD February 17, 2010, 7:38 am

    Wow, you keep your cool way better than me! I remember losing a 2 page paper on “The Red Fox” in 4th grade and I cried for HOURS! My mom retyped it in 15 minutes and all was well with the world again. I am one who freaks about things like that! Glad you got it done!!!

  • Samantha Angela @ Bikini Birthday February 17, 2010, 8:20 am

    I think it’s adorable that your husband loves teapots. My husband doesn’t quite share my affection for them.

  • Sophie @ yumventures February 17, 2010, 8:41 am

    Good luck with your re-edits! Computers can be such a pain!

  • Kelly February 17, 2010, 8:49 am

    Ugh, computers. They always seem to malfunction at the most important times.

  • Carolyn February 17, 2010, 8:50 am

    Sorry about your manuscript! I’m sure it feels good to be done, though!

  • Abby February 17, 2010, 9:02 am

    So sorry about your manuscript!! Atleast it’s not like in Little Women when Amy burns Jo’s manuscript.. uhoh!!

  • Ashley @ Good Taste. Healthy Me February 17, 2010, 10:35 am

    I love the teapot! SO cute!

  • Jessica February 17, 2010, 10:37 am

    Hey Caitlin,

    Sorry to hear about that! This has happened to me so many times and I finally figured out why (this may not be the case for you, but could be). I could be stored as a “temp file” if you opened it directly from your email. The problem with temp files is that they are burried deep in your computer, it is hard to do a search for the document (also sometimes they are named strange things).

    What I would suggest doing (just to see if that is what happened) is go to an email that has an attachment. Open that attachment (don’t “save” it, just open the file) and then go to “Save As.” See where your computer defaults to having documents saved when they are opened directly from email. Then you can see if your file is sitting in there and be able to use the folder “back” button to see exactly where it is saved.

    This might not have happened to you, but is useful in case it ever does! Happy to hear you got it complete!

    • Caitlin February 17, 2010, 10:38 am

      really good tip – thanks!

  • Ami February 17, 2010, 10:40 am

    Sorry to hear about your manuscript! Did you open it from a zipped file? Sometimes if I open a zipped file it saves back to that location, but doesnt update properly once you close the zip directory. Something to keep in mind! Did you check your temp locations? More than likely it fell into your temp files and an expert could help you recover it. Not sure who though!

  • Heather (Heather's Dish) February 17, 2010, 10:50 am

    oh man, that sounds so frustrating! i hope you find a way to get it back…good luck!

  • Amber K @ sparkpeople February 17, 2010, 11:17 am

    Oh my gosh, talk about anxiety! I’m so glad to read about how you powered through it and got it done anyway. I would SO want to just curl into the fetal position and ride what would probably be a massive panic attack out.

    I hope you have a much better day today!

  • Beth February 17, 2010, 3:37 pm

    hah! My BF is English and LOVES tea and teapots! Makes gift buuying a cinch for our friends and family 🙂 Cute one ya got there!

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