Category: Tech

Dust and turtles

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Work dragged today because there wasn’t anything to work on due to a system problem. Of course, we had to sit around all day in case the problem was resolved, so I had a lot of time on my hands to surf. You know, the internet gets pretty boring after a couple of hours. I did find some cool places to go during the summer, though, so it wasn’t a complete waste of eight hours.

I also visited a local nature center during my lunch break. They have a little turtle pond and one of their turtles seems to be dying. He was underwater (including his neck), floating at an angle, not moving. I let an employee there know, and she fished him out with a net and placed him on a rock. He was barely moving, and I suspect he’s sick. I warned her he could contaminate the pond and cause the other turtles to get sick, but I’m not sure if she took me seriously.

I got really annoyed with my camera too (the Nikon 2100 I carry in my purse, not the Canon) because the macro mode rather sucks. The camera kept focusing on the background when I was trying to get a photo of a flower. I really wish I could make some decent money selling my two old Nikons and buy a Canon Powershot with the money.
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Kinda like Tivo, but not

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Joe informed me today that we may be getting our hands on a DVR very soon because they are doing a raffle at his work (the cable company). Previously the DVRs were only available to customers due to the limited quantities. See? It’s not always the employees who get first dibs on stuff. Even if Joe doesn’t win the raffle, word is by late August there should be enough boxes in circulation that all employees can choose to get one (and we have to even pay for the service too, but I’m not complaining since we get all the cable channels and high-speed internet for $10 a month now).

Needless to say, I’m over the moon about this. I immediately went online and started reading up on how the device works. Right now the on-screen guide used to search and select programming is crappy, but I hear that will be changed soon as well. My only concern is how far in advance you can search for programming. When I worked for the cable company in customer service, 5+ years ago, we were told the on-screen guide at that time went a week into the future. I’ve yet to see it. We’re lucky if we can view listings two days in advance. Typically after 24 hours into the future, all the listings start saying “to be announced”. Very annoying and not user-friendly at all. So keep your fingers crossed that by the time Fall rolls around and all the new seasons start, we’ll be using a top of the line system to record and watch television. It will be nice not to have to live my life around tv or mess with an annoying vcr. Just the thought of knowing I’ll be able to watch what I want when I want is so liberating!

Burn baby, burn!

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We picked up a Sony dvd burner from Circuit City this morning. As you know, I’m not particularly fond of Sony because their products are usually over-priced, but with the $30 rebate, the burner was only $99. Plus it is so sweet! I just backed up all the photos I’ve taken from 2001 to present to a total of 4 dvds. Compare that to how many cds I would have had to burn, and it’s just amazing! Now I have to back up my MP3 collection which is currently at 26.7GB. Hmmm … I might have to weed out the crap first.

ilove

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I’m probably the only person in the world who doesn’t want an ipod. Well, that’s not entirely true – I wouldn’t mind having one if I didn’t have to actually pay for it. Maybe ten years ago I could justify the price as I spent hours a day commuting to work via public transportation. Although the irony of that is back then I wasn’t making much money so I couldn’t afford one. Now I have my 6-cd changer in my car and Winamp at home, so I couldn’t see using an ipod often, but I have the funds. Funny how that works.

That being said, Joe bought me the 40-gig ipod for our anniversary. And as bad as I felt, I mean so bad that it made me cry, I took it back today for a refund. We’ve already had to go into our savings account to pay for all the work we’ve been doing on our new place; I can’t justify dipping into savings again for an overpriced toy that I don’t need, nor would use very often. You probably think I’m nuts, huh?

Just the thought of having to take another $400 from our account was making me sick to my stomach. It’s difficult to go nuts on gifts for one another now that we share a bank account and we don’t have much “extra” money at the end of the month. Plus I know we have a lot of expenses coming up this year with the new digital camera I am getting in the Spring (now that I won’t feel guilty spending $1500 on because I know I’ll use it often) and our wedding/honeymoon in either September or October (yea, we still need to figure that out). I don’t think it’s fair with all the money I’ve spent on cameras to have another pricey toy when Joe hasn’t gotten much over the years.

So I think we made the right decision. The thought was what means so much to me, though, and why I still feel terrible having to make that decision. The reason Joe even contemplated spending so much money for a present for me is because he feels I deserve nice things and he wants me to be happy. He knows I’ve been feeling down a lot lately and hated seeing me that way. The thing is, I do have a nice thing that makes me happy: him. No ipod could compare.

Happy Anniversary, hon! I love you more than words can say.

I want a DVR

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I really wish our cable company would start offering DVRs in our area. For those of you not in the know, a DVR (digital video recorder) is like a TiVo except it’s built into the cable box.

If I had a DVR, I’d record the following shows which I always seem to miss due to annoying obligations like a job:

Ellen – I’d fast forward over most of the guests because I like the first 10 minutes of the show the most.

Double Agents – I guess I like torturing myself seeing bigger and nicer homes than my own. ;)

The People’s Court, Judge Mathis, and Judge Judy – How can you not find these shows entertaining? Like yesterday’s episode where the judge asked a defendant “and you were acquitted of the charges?” and she replied, “what does that mean?” Who doesn’t love watching people making fools of themselves and getting called on it? Especially by Judge Judy. That woman is such a bitch she scares me. :)

Street Smarts – Are those people just that stupid, or am I that smart? Who knows, but I like feeling super smart nonetheless. ;)

What shows would you, or do you, TiVo?