Ugh.

So I played around with the complex settings of the File Shield System thingie on Avast! I told it to exclude .RTF and .WPD files from scanning, because I really can't leave the entire thing shut off, and there's no point in having an antivirus program if I have to do that. So far, the exclusion has enabled me to save whenever I feel like it, so it looks like I'm right and Avast! really was behind this.

I've gotta say, this has been the most idiotic update of Avast! I've ever seen. It's been fine all the other times I've used it. But first there was that Web Shield garbage and it blocked practically the entire Internet, including its own website. And now this trash with the File Shield System!

This is a good example of why I hate Internet filters. The one time we tried using one, it also blocked pretty much the entire Internet. I've always been careful surfing and have honestly never stumbled into a naughty website, except one time when I deliberately tried typing the name of a toy company and discovered that the web address went to a place with entirely different playmates than I was looking for. Whoops. But I realized instantly what had happened and backed out of there before the site finished loading. That was probably about 14 years ago. But so we tried a filter for a while after that incident, but it just ruined the Internet experience and blocked a lot of innocent things, so we took it back off and haven't used one since.

I am really annoyed and disgusted that the Avast! update is just about as paranoid as that filter. Stupid, stupid Avast! Why can't they iron out these bugs? The one affecting Word keeps coming back every few updates or so, according to that thread. I don't really like excluding all .RTF and .WPD files from scanning, but until there's a better update, I don't have a lot of choice.

I did finally get the next Perry chapter done and up. After I supposedly fixed the problem, I was able to settle down, proofread, and add whatever I felt I needed to. I ended up lengthening the chapter by about a page, all in all. I think I'm barreling towards the climax, and I'm so excited at the thought of finally getting this fic done! Over the past few months I've been able to finish several things I've had hanging, and it feels so good every time.

Yuuuum.

Had lunch at Taco Bell with a local friend today. It was great to see her, and the food was divine! So much cheeeese! And a lovely giant cup of ice water. So cold and good.

It's right by Wal-Mart, so I peeked in there afterwards, but still no Sunset Shimmer plushie. Applejack is still gorgeous and autumny, though, and I don't think I'm going to be able to resist her for long. I should really wait until I have some more money, but we'll see how well my willpower holds up. I'm so glad I didn't get the stamper Applejack; I like this one sooo much better. I think Hasbro is improving more and more with each new line!

Got a Build-a-Bear catalog in the mail today, including another copy of the $5 off coupon they already sent me in the email. There's going to be a Derpy/Ditzy/Bubbles/Muffin plush. (Yeah, such confusion over the name! I kind of prefer Bubbles or Bubblecup, since that goes along with her symbol, but I think I heard that Muffin is the official name now? If there is an official name.) I don't know when she's coming out, though. She wasn't in the catalog. The picture was already released, which usually only happens close to release date, but there's apparently been no word on when she's coming. I was hoping it would be in time to use the coupon, which is good through August. If that falls through, I've been trying to think of what else I could use it for.

Of course, there's that perennial question of whether to buy Rainbow Dash or Pinkie Pie. They're still possibilities, but what I really have my eye on is one of the house brand plushies. They've released a series of plushies that are in a band together, and I really want the purple cat/tiger. I thought it was a tabby, but it says on the website that she's a tiger. I'm surprised by that, honestly, because the ears look like a house cat's ears, not a tiger's ears. But whatever. I love her design and I like her image song, but I don't like her price: $28! Pretty expensive for a house brand plushie. The $5 off coupon would help, but then there's the fact that this plushie would need clothes, just like my Hello Kitty. So I'm undecided on whether to get her. Maybe I'll see what they have for discount clothes when I'm there and then decide.