Thursday, September 13, 2007

My calculator is dying

I've purchased new batteries. Didn't help. I've tried resetting the calculator. Nope. The bottom row of buttons are only functioning some of the time. I'm sure you're thinking that I should just get a new calculator, but you don't understand. This calculator and I have been together a long time. How long? I'll be turning 37 in December, and this calculator was a gift from my sister for my 18th birthday. Yup. Half my life. A B.S in astrophysics... a Ph.D. in physics... all with my trusty little HP 20S. :(

9 comments:

Unknown said...

Oh no! I so understand the loyalty to an underpowered and old calculator that's long been discontinued from the market.

I need to buy a Ti-89, but there are so many things that I'm simply far far faster on with a Ti32 or a Ti36 scientific calculator because I've memorized the buttons. I've gone on treks around the physics department at UCLA to retrieve my calculator after I have forgotten it somewhere. There's just something so utterly much faster about those small precise calculators once you've memorized their buttons.

Anonymous said...

About a year ago, my trusty HP RPN calculator died as well. I'd had it since sometime during high school, I think. It was big, it was clunky, it was RPN!! I LOVED it and was so sad to see it go. I've still not really replaced it. There are other calculators, but none like it.

I loved being able to answer the inevitable question, "Can I borrow a calculator?" with, "Do you know how to use RPN?" and an evil grin.

RIP to your calculator. I know exactly how you're feeling.

Dr. Lisa said...

Thanks, guys. There is something about being able to use a calculator with my eyes closed that is so comforting. :) People obviously loved this model, because used ones are going for about 3-4x what the original price was. Sigh.

Anonymous said...

Bring me your calculator and I will frame it up pretty for you!

It's like taxidermy for a beloved pet.

Dr. Lisa said...

Oooohhh....Kirsten tempts me.

Unknown said...

Those HP RPN calcs were supposed to last forever - although I loved that 20S, had one years and years ago.

Dr. Lisa said...

We're all such geeks. ;)

Sarah Prineas said...

You totally are.

*runs away*

Dr. Lisa said...

Ha!