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My laptop screen went black mid-Zoom with a client in Portland and I had to finish the call using my phone propped against a coffee mug. | Talking to Clients - Freelance Forum - The Community for Independent Professionals

perry.jesse•4mo ago

My laptop screen went black mid-Zoom with a client in Portland and I had to finish the call using my phone propped against a coffee mug.

It happened last Tuesday during a project update meeting, and all I could do was apologize and pray they didn't notice my dog barking in the background while I frantically texted them the rest of the info has anyone else had tech fail at the worst possible moment?

3 comments

3 Comments

tessap974mo ago

No way, you propped your phone against a coffee mug? That's honestly kind of genius in a terrible situation. But also, that must have been so stressful. I would have just panicked and hung up probably. Your dog barking in the background just adds to the chaos, I can practically hear it. Really glad you got through it though, even if it was a total mess.

sandra_moore304mo ago

I read somewhere that like 40% of remote workers have had their laptop crash during a meeting or call. Mine did the exact same thing last month during a budget review with my boss. The screen just went black and I could hear her still talking but I had no way to answer. I ended up sprinting to my bedroom to grab my tablet and by the time I got back she was like "hello? hello?" I felt so stupid. At least you had your phone handy. The coffee mug prop is a classic move honestly.

corap614mo ago

and that coffee mug trick is honestly peak remote work energy right? like yeah sure my laptop just died but let me MacGyver this phone situation real quick. @sandra_moore30 you made me feel less alone though because i sat there in silence for a solid 30 seconds just staring at the black screen like "did i break the internet?" meanwhile dog is going off in the background and i'm doing jazz hands at the camera hoping my client gets the memo. at least you got a tablet rescue i was stuck with a phone propped on a mug and my hand cramping from holding it steady. honestly if the laptop had to die it picked the worst possible moment but hey at least we made it through without setting anything on fire.