Ack and Alas

What do you get when you remove a laptop from the possession of a twenty-something librarian? Miserable me.
My laptop, my dependable Mac, failed me. I left it on while I went to work and when I got home, I went to turn it on.
Me: *rubs touchpad mouse*
Mac: *nothing*
Me: *frowns and rubs harder*
Mac: *nothing*
Me: *still frowning, presses the power button. Waits.*
Mac: *still nothing*
By now, I'm becoming rather frustrated with my computer and press and hold the power button to shut it off. A hard boot so to speak.
I wait and press the button again to turn it on. I hear the hard drive whir to life and wait for the monitor to turn on.
Mac: *nothing*

My next thought was:
Crud, the video card died!

I commandeer Erin's laptop and begin searching Apple's website for answers. Nothing.
After ranting for a moment, I find the "ask for help" button. Of course, the Pacific coast Support desk was closed by this time. I compile a assistance request and send it in. I am to receive a phone call from the Support Desk the next day.

Next day:
The call comes and we go through the issues.
Battery out, turn on.
Nothing
Unplug, turn on.
Nothing
Press a series of keys after turning on
Beep
...
...
...
Nothing

I'm told the words I was dreading:
"I'm sorry, you're going to have to send it to a Apple store for repairs."

Apple Store?

The closest Apple store to where I live is down the hill at the Victoria Gardens Mall. An hour away... The next appointment to see the repair desk?

Two days later...

"Well, we have to send it in. The logic board needs replacing. Maybe more."

Thank God for 3-year warranties.

Wait, what is a Logic Board you ask?
To you Windows folk, it is the Motherboard. The most expensive device in the entire laptop. How expensive?
Let's just say that parts and labor have more than two 0's.

Now, I am waiting for the work to be done and my computer returned to me. How long? It depends on the parts that have gone south. If it's just the logic board, maybe next week. More than that, probably week after that.

Until then, I am stuck with the family PC. I somehow will cope.