My first real experience with an actual personal computer was in my elective class of BASIC Programming. I was introduced to the Commodore PET computer. At the time, I thought it was the greatest invention of all time. I was able to set in front of that computer and learn the BASIC language. My classmates and I would make up many different programs to run and just have fun with the computers. There was 4 of these computers in the computer lab at the high school and you would always find at least 1-2 students working on them every hour of the day.Right now when I think back about the PET computer, I believe the concept and image of ET was based on looking at this PET computer...if you don't believe me, take a good look at this picture and think of ET!
After learning on this computer for a few months, I really had the feeling that I should see if I could buy a computer for myself. I started looking in all of the different stores that we had in Tulare, CA at the time and to my surprise, there was only one store that I was able to find a personal computer. It was at the local K-Mart store in the electronics department and it cost a little too much for my price range. So I had no choice but to wait for a while before I could afford to buy one.
The school year went by rather quickly and the summer was fast approaching. During the final weeks of school I keep wondering and planning on what I would do to try to earn the money I needed. Two weeks before school was out, I found out that the school district was looking for students to work with the school district painters for the summer. BINGO!!! I now have a summer job and would be able to buy a personal computer after a few weeks of working.
I started the job and once I received my second paycheck, I quickly road my bike home and begged my aunt for a ride to the K-Mart store. She agreed to take me and as we left the house, I don't even remember the ride to the store. I was sitting in the passenger seat of the car and just daydreaming of all of the programs that I created during the school year. I wanted to try to remember all of them and create those same programs again. As I snap out of my dream state and refocus my eyes, I notice that we are now parked in front of K-Mart. My heart starts to skip a beat with each step that I take towards the store. I hear song birds singing, the gentle creatures of the world are gathering at the door and welcoming me into this magical land. It seems like my feet are not touching the ground and I am just floating on an electronic cloud of happiness. The lights of the electronics area of the store seemed to grow brighter as I approach the area. It is tunnel vision and I see the personal computer display. There it is, my quest, my dream, my future, my beginning...the Commodore VIC-20 Personal Computer.
I reach carefully for the box which seems to sparkle in the light of the store display. I slowly wrap my fingers carefully around the box as though the box is crafted from eggshells. My arms and legs begin to work together to ensure that I carefully balance the box correctly in my tingling hands. At last, the box is securely within my grasp and my eyes have a gleam of peace and happiness. I turn to the checkout counter in the electronics department and place the box so gently and proudly on the counter. The gentleman behind the counter looks at me and gives me a smile. I quickly took the cash out of my wallet and placed the total price on the counter. But wait, the gentleman isn't taking my money. As I curiously look at his face, I see his lips moving, but I am in such a state of euphoria that I have no idea what he is saying. He continues to say something as my hearing is reconnected to my brain, he is giving me some additional information. He tells me that I should also purchase a tape drive and additional memory for the computer. Oh boy, did I make enough money to afford all of these extra items? What can I do? I did not fully plan out my thought process of owning my personal computer.
Instantly, the bring lights of the store, the singing of the song birds and the crushing forces of gravity seem to attack me at the same time and bring me crashing back to earth with darkness and silence all around me. My heart is heavy...my dream is about to snatched away from me in the blink of an eye. As I stand there and try to add up everything in my head, I reach the new total and it has come to the giant amount of $185. Time seemed to stop as my eyes slowly looked back to my wallet. I have to count how much I have because I could not remember at all. I start the count, 20, 40, 60, 80, 100, 120, 140, 160, 165, 166, 167...NOOOOOO....there is no more in my wallet. I stand there is disbelief, no, this can't be right. I have come so far, only to be denied as I have the dream in my grasp.
From a distance, I look over to my aunt who is a few yards away and she sees the total hurt in my eyes and walks over to me. By this time, I already have a few tears forming in my eyes and I feel that the laws of gravity have doubled on my poor young body. My aunt walks up to me and quickly asks what is the problem. I explain the problem and she gives me that smile of comfort and love to me again. She opens her wallet and gives me the additional money that I need. The tears finally flow from my eyes from total happiness.
I quickly make a promise to my aunt that no matter what she wants me to do around the house to pay her back, all she has to do is tell me and she gets what she wants. In the true form of a loving parent she quickly says, "honey, you worked hard to get this and the few dollars I just spent to help you has already been paid to me by your smile and affection toward me". YES, IT IS MINE!!!!
Once we arrived back at the house, I quickly clean my dresser top off and set up my new personal computer. The day that I made the purchase was on a Friday afternoon. I don't remember the weekend at all, because I stayed in my room on that computer for two days straight. If it wasn't for the fact that we humans had to eat and go to the bathroom, I truly believe I would have never let that computer out of my sight!
Do you remember Machine Language? I sure do...
No comments:
Post a Comment