Wednesday, July 7, 2010

Weekend Assignment 325: Tech Savvy

This week Karen asks a great question for the Weekend Assignment.

Weekend Assignment #323: Tech Savvy
When you bring home some new piece of technology, do you usually get it up and running with pleasant anticipation and calm confidence, or is there more likely to be much swearing, wailing and gnashing of teeth? What's the most trouble you've had with a new computer, tv, phone or related tech gadget?

I think I'm pretty good at getting tech things up and running. I rarely have problems and when I do I can easily find the answer online. You just need to know where to go.

I think the last thing I had a problem setting up was our router a few years ago. I had never set one up before, and it was giving me problems. Then, I went to the company's website and found the solution to my problem. As is most often the case nowadays, it was a software issue. But, yes, I did swear a little bit while trying to get it to work.

Usually I'm the go-to-guy in my family to set up electronics. I don't know why, but I can usually figure out how to hook up everything pretty easily. I think it helped that I worked at Circuit City for a while. (A short while). Maybe, I picked some things up there.

It works out, though. I have family members come over to help me build or fix things in the house, and I set up their TVs and stereos. I think that is a fair trade, don't you?

Extra Credit: Who do you call in to help, if you get stuck?

I kind of answered the question above, but I do have a few tech savvy(ier) friends that can help me out if needed.









Saturday, July 3, 2010

We went to see Night Ranger at Frontier Days


A few weeks ago a friend of mine sent me a text message saying she was at a concert with Kansas, Foreigner and Styx, which sounded like a great time, and she mentioned that Dennis DeYoung was going to be in town on the July 4th weekend. I had that in the back of my mind for a while, then Jenn noticed that Night Ranger was playing the same festival the night before Dennis DeYoung was going to play. Well, there really wasn't a whole lot to think about.

As I said in my last post, they were my favorite band there for a while in high school. I still listen to them now, mostly to feel young again. I'm kidding, I listen because they rock, man!

Anyway, we met some friends at the festival, sat on some beach towels and listened to come classic 80s rock and roll. Woo! I think all the women at the concert kept their shits on. It was a family event after all.

So, yeah, I took some pictures, because I'm a big dork, and I could.

This one was from somewhat far away, and it was still light.



For the next two I ditched the family and went closer to get some shots. What?



The complete set is over on Flickr.

It's was a fun show! We got home way too late and I had to work today, so I'm a bit tired.

Have a great 4th of July. Go out and find someone from Great Britain and give them a hug. They need it on this day.


Thursday, July 1, 2010

Thoughts on a Thursday

Today, is Thursday, I finished up my week of midnight shifts on Wednesday so my brain is still mushy. You know what that means? Random Topic Day!

3D TVs: I don't get it. Maybe it's just me, but I don't want to sit in front of the TV with special glasses on to see it in 3D. Not to mention the fact I already wear regular glasses, how do I do both? If it is anything like the movie theater experience, it's going to blow. I can never get those 3D glasses over my regular glasses properly so things get all fuzzy and I get a headache.

Also, raise your hand if you lose the TV remote a lot. Yes, I image these glasses to be misplaced, or eaten by the dogs. But, they only cost about 100 bucks to replace. No biggie. Oh, and if you have friends over to watch The Big Game, they need to bring their own glasses which may, or may not, work with your TV.

Wake me when holographic TV is out.

The Fushigi Ball: Have you seen this commercial for the magic gravity ball? Why are these people so excited about a glass ball? A glass ball that costs 20 dollars. Watch the video. Isn't it great! It's sweeping the nation! One thing, why isn't the announcer guy wearing a headset? He should know that all the cool guys wear headsets on these commercials. I mean, who's going to buy a Fushigi ball from a guy who doesn't wear a headset?


The Classics: Okay, calling Night Ranger a classic might be a stretch, but they are coming to a July fest close by, so we are going to go. It should be fun. I'm wondering if it will make me feel old, or young? Or both at the same time. Do you think they will play Sister Christian?

Man, I was a huge fan of these guys in high school. I even bought a guitar that closely resembled the guitar Brad Gillis used. I sucked at it, but hey, I never played guitar before that. Or since, but that doesn't matter.

Oh, and the next day Dennis DeYoung is playing at the same fest. I want to go to that as well. We'll see. I have to work this weekend and I don't want to be all tired and cranky. Again.


The World Cup: Is it over? I kid! I actually played soccer as a kid. I think I started around 8 years-old and played into high school. I haven't played in a while. Though I did play one year in a soccer tournament at work about 9 years ago and I almost died. Okay, I only tore a muscle in my ribcage, but it felt like I was going to die when it happened. You never notice how much you use that part of your body until you hurt it. I've also never been so afraid to sneeze or cough.

All I want to know is where those vuvuzela horns came from and where can I get one? I have some people I want to annoy at work.

Speaking of work: CNN came by a couple of weeks ago and filmed our office. Why? Because we are cool. (Stop laughing!) Right at the one minute mark the cameraman was right behind me. It was a little hard to keep a straight face. I think you'll understand why when you listen to the host.


That's all I have for today. I have things to do, you know.

Monday, June 28, 2010

Weekend Assignment 324: The year 2062

In honor of Carly's upcoming birthday we are imagining what America might be like in the year 2062 for this week's assignement. I decided to do this a little differently and have some fun with it.

Next Tuesday is my birthday, I am not quite 50 yet, but when I was a little girl I liked to sit and imagine what the world, more specifically, America, would be like when I reached 50! Having nearly arrived at my goal age, I am now aiming for another 50 years! So, in honor of my 48th birthday, I want you to search your imaginations, and tell what I can expect in the year... 2062!

Hi, Welcome to the year 2062. Did you have a nice cryo-sleep? Good. Oh yes, the facilities are this way. Follow me.


Feel better? Good. Pardon the flicker of my holo, I need to get that fixed. I guess I should explain. About 20 years ago a company designed the holo-projector for business meetings. It was a better option than traveling and videoconferencing. If it seems like the person is right next to you it's much harder to ignore their ideas, or to put it down. It turned out to work really well, so people started using it for everything. Now, nobody leaves the safety and comfort of their house anymore.

Oh, food? Yes, it's delivered automatically. Our refrigerators and cabinets are all hooked up to the local food suppliers and gets sent to our houses automatically by auto-piloted vehicles when something runs low. We never run out of food.

Hmm. Okay, the toilet you just used reports you are a little deficient in calcium and slightly dehydrated. Pretty good, considering. You should see how some people come out of cryo-sleep. If you aren't healthy going in, how are you going to be when you come out. So many people do this thinking they can be cured of their diseases when they wake in the future. They watch too much TV.

What? No, that's not gross. The toilets are a good way to see what we might be lacking. Vitamins and medicines are all automatically ordered when needed. I can't imagine going to the doctor all the time. I don't want someone prodding me like you had to go through 50 years ago. Give me a cold, unfeeling robot hand any day, I say. Besides, the average life expectancy is 110 years old right now. Not a bad improvement in such a short time.

Here, come over to the table by the window. This machine here will take you vital signs. Just sit, it's okay. I know it looks a little scary, but it is quite gentle, if a bit on the cold side. Take a peek out the window while the robo-doc does it's work. Nice day, no? Yep, just as planned. We get rain when we want it and sun when we don't. We can't change the temperature too much, the sun and earth move the way they want. We can't control differential heating, but we can work with moisture to a degree. No pun intended. Yes, we still get tornadoes and hurricanes. Again, we can't control everything. Yet.

Notice anything else? Yes, not many cars out there. The ones you see are all robo-cars that are sending food, materials or other goods to people and places where they are needed. Since nobody goes out anymore, except for emergencies, there is little traffic and the air is much cleaner than back in 2010.

Okay, the doc says you are good to go. A car will be by to take you to your home. Enjoy your time here in 2062. If you feel you can't live here, let us know. We have ways to get you back.


***

Okay, obviously I went a little overboard. But, so what? It's all for fun, right?

Extra Credit: Tell me, is the world anything like you imagined it would be when you grew up? What's different? What's the same?

No, I guess it's not the way I imagined it. I really thought I'd have my Corvette by now. Or my Porsche.

Oh, did you mean the world, or my world?




Saturday, June 26, 2010

I'm back, baby!


The title has two meanings since we are back from our trip to Wisconsin Dells and Futurama is back on the air. More about Futurama later, we'll talk about me first. It's my blog, you know.

If you are not from Illinois, Wisconsin, Iowa., Michigan or Minnesota you might not know what Wisoncsin Dells is. Well, it's "The Waterpark Capital of the World." Yes, it says so right here. Also, it's the only place I know of where you say the state before the city name. Well, except for maybe New York since you can never be sure which part people are talking about first. (Yes, I was reaching for that one).

We drove up there on Wednesday and left on Friday. That may sound like a short trip, but everyone I talked to that has been there says that is about right. I mean, how many times can you go to the pool and play? There is only so much chlorine and sunburn that the body can take.

We stayed at the Wilderness Resort. See, the bear cubs on the sign make it extra wilderness-y.



It was a decent place. They had tons of different pools and slides to play around in. Or, as we liked to do a lot, they had a few lazy rivers. Although they weren't quite as relaxing as they should be. You know how hard it is to get in a two person tube while your lightweight kid is in the front and there is a current trying to drag the tube away? Well, it's not all that easy. I have the scrapes to prove it. Yes, I'm a klutz. What can I say?

We never ate, or drank at this particular place, but I had to take a picture of the sign.


There were a lot of stuffed foxes and raccoons around on the ceiling of the various eating and drinking spots. Speaking of which, we went to one restaurant for dinner the first night and were delighted when they told us the kids eat free at the buffet if we ordered the buffet. We should have asked how much the buffet was first. Twenty bucks a person was a little steep for what was there. We were a little disappointed by that.

On the first night the guys hit the arcade while the girls went to the pottery place to paint something. Our daughter has told us several times she wants to be an artist, so we indulge here when we can. See, look at the mugs she painted. Aren't they nice?


On the second night, we were smart and went off property to eat dinner. This place called Moose Jaw Pizza and Dells Brewing was recommended by one of Jenn's co-workers. While the name doesn't exactly roll of the tongue, the food was good, the prices much better than the resort and they had their own beer. That was really good. But don't take my word for it, look at this car they have.


You know a place is going to be good if they go through all this trouble decking out their delivery car. Although, when I see the car, I think of something else on the moose and it's not the jaw.

We spent a few hours swimming the next morning, then headed back home. It's not a far drive for us; just under three hours, so it is quite manageable. Especially when one, or both, of the kids sleep most of the way.

One thing about the drive home. Wisconsin people tend to get miffed when people make fun of them as the land of cheese but when you drive home and see two cheese chalets, a giant mouse on top of a giant piece of cheese and several various other cheese huts, you kind of have to take it. Sorry, Wisconsin, but it's okay, you guys have some awesome cheese. Learn to accept it.

That was our longest road trip so far. I know, lame. But we go to Door County (Wisconsin again) for five days later this summer. That's about a five hour drive. That's something, right?

So, Futurama. You're watching it, right. It's on Comedy Central. So, go watch. Come on, I don't want it to be cancelled again. I'll give you candy.


Wednesday, June 23, 2010

Offline

Due to circumstances beyond my control I'm going to be offline the next few days. This is different than the last few days where I was just plain lazy and didn't post anything.

So, I leave you with this. If Batman had to fight Steve Austin (AKA The Six Million Dollar Man), who would win, and why? Think about it, Batman has a lot of fighting skill and all those gadgets, but Steve Austin could throw him through a wall. It's a tough choice.

Have a good rest of the week!

Friday, June 18, 2010

Made it home just in time.


We had some nasty storms roll through here a short time ago. I opted to skip getting gas on the way home and just went to get the kids and go home. Turned out that was a good idea. This was the sky after we pulled into the driveway.


The gust front moved through a few minutes later and looked something like this.

Now it's over and the dogs refuse to go outside because it is a little wet outside. They haven't been out since this morning. I hope they don't have an accident.

Hope your day was drier and less eventful.