Fixed my iPod, apparently, using the tried-and-true "Nintendo cartridge" method. Barring another mysterious breakdown, my international flight is saved.

In my experience, merely blowing on the dusty or in this case dirt-filled inner workings of a high tech device works surprisingly well. At work, I've fixed two computers and one famous laptop this way — it's fast becoming one of the most important items in my tech coordinator bag of tricks.

Oh god, back to countless pages of essay-writing. This term needs to be over.