Saw the dietitian yesterday

I was brutally honest with every morsel of food I eat, including the 3 gummi bears I ate the day before yesterday. After she looked it all over, she said it's excellent. That what I am eating and the amounts should be leading to weight loss, and it's not. Instead, even though my thyroid meds have the T4 levels ok, my weight won't go down, and now I have become insulin resistant. Combine that with my good level of activity, my weight should be going down.

Turns out that Dr N is more a homeopathic, and natural remedy GP. But there are no 'natural' remedies for T3 (not T4) hormone can NOT be found that way. I told him that I had the same problem when I was in the US, and that Dr R gave me Cytomel. But my metabolism had been depressed for so long, I was also put on legal 'speed' to get my heart rate, blood pressure etc up. After 2 weeks of that, and then 3 weeks of Cytomel, the weight started coming off. I don't want to have to wait until that happens again. If he keeps refusing to proscribe the same meds I used to take when I was in the US, I will find another GP who will.

Merry Chase, thy name is Acer Customer Service

Joyce, of Acer Customer support, who appeared to be fixing the problem with the "Wrong" computer being shipped turns out to be just another shill for the company. She said she was trying to get "Blue Chip" the Acer distributor to give her information that she needed, and maybe I should called the Sales department. (2nd verse same as the first) This time, though I had the direct dial number, rather than the toll free.

I spoke to a drone named Andy, who hemmed, hawed, tried to pass the buck, and even though he was told I don't have a car, and have difficulity getting from point A to point B, came up with this brilliant f**king suggestion: Get a refund from DiscWorld and go get the computer at Hardly Normal. While I was talking to Andy on the landline, I had Paul on my other ear on my mobile? So he got to hear the entire thing, especially since I pretty much parroted the bullshit Andy was shoveling out.

I admit got angry.

Through gritted teeth, I icily asked "So, why the hell didn't one of any of you the past 6 weeks tell us this? Why weren't we told immediately? Why the whole song and dance, passing the buck, trying to fix the blame onto someone rather than fixing the problem?"

I got the brilliant reply "I dunno"

"Well, you had better come up with a better answer and quick, because I am going to submit this entire disaster of customer service to Australia Consumer Protection." (I did,and I cc'ed it to Paul and Joyce)

Paul was trying not to laugh, and he said that he hopes I never get angry with him.

So, Plan B. Paul will go to HN, pick it up, put in my old harddrive, I'll pay the difference, and then he'll deliver it here. Would have been so much simpler and less stressful had they been honest at the outset, instead of playing games, hoping I would just go away.

A cool slice of heaven

The pool Meegan gave me for 'Crissmum 2008' was defeated by the strong Aussie sun. The vinyl was made weak and finally just kept splitting , or not holding air. I let it deflate, and then rolled it up to be disposed of. We did cut out one of the 'seats' from the old pool, as they weren't affected by the air leaking problem, and will make a nice float for my head.

Today, I took out the pool I had gotten Feb or March 2009 and set it up. It turns out it's quite a bit larger than the first one. But smarter set up. The only thing that has to hold air is the top ring, as the water inside holds up the sides. We also discovered a small water leak, less than a half centimeter long. Alan stood in the pool, holding his finger on the hole inside the pool, while I dried off the outside, and applied a patch. Fixed in one minute. Then proceeded to fill it up, added bleach, and set up the water filter.

Oh my.... cool bliss.

Ignore the boxes the pool and water filter were in. I ended up folding up and using one of them between the pool and the post on the left side. I didn't have it far enough away from the pet enclosure, and I don't want it abrading against the wooden post.

Sometimes not waiting is the better way to do things

Although I submitted an email to Acer, concerning the 'bait and switch' done to me, I decided to call their toll free number. Yes, I know, optimistic of me.

After 45 minutes on hold, I spoke to one person. He started with the passing the buck, laying the blame routines we have all come to know and loathe. "We have no control", "Manager of the store should have inspected the product" (in regards to the distributor putting shipping label OVER the panel of the box with the specifications), etc etc. I finally raised my voice and said "None of that matters. I ordered the top end machine, the order was confirmed and verified. The wrong machine was sent out, and Acer refuses to correct this."

I got transferred to Customer Service. On hold for another 30 minutes. (I had to switch handsets as the one I was using, the battery was getting low). All I can say is I finally got to talk to someone who had a more than just a modicum of "Customer Service" in mind. She listened to me, asked questions, and also agreed I had every right to be upset at the run around I am getting. J took all my information, and contacted Paul at DiscWorld (she has to verify my complaint) and since I did order and pay for the top end, they will send it to DiscWorld as a one off. It does turn out that even their website is incorrect. ONLY Hardly Normal (aka Harvey Norman) is authorized to sell this machine, not all the others listed. (according to the Acer website, , this machine isn't 'exclusive' to one store only. Chances are they will change this now that I pointed it out. )

Here's hoping I'm not being lead around on a merry chase again.

I am angry

Too long to type out again, so I will just copy/past the email I sent to Acer Computers Australia.

This is going to be a long email, and please read it, don't just scan it and send a form letter in return.

In December, I bought a magazine which had your new Acer Aspire Prestige with the Intel® Core™2 Quad processor, 6 gigs DDR3 ram, 1 gig DDR3 memory on the video. I went to DiscWorld in Myaree, showed it to Paul, DiscWorld owner and manager, and he called Acer distributor. I was right there when he ordered it. He made it clear it was the high end machine that was required. I paid in full.

When what I thought was my computer arrived, I picked it up, brought it home, set it up. After the "recovery discs" creation, I checked the system stats. Imagine my surprise when I saw the low 3.9 Windows experience level due to video. I then crawled through the specifications. Although I ordered and paid for the Quad Core, your distributor sent the Core 2 Duo. I checked the box the computer came in, and discovered that the distributor sneakily put a shipping label over the area of the box where the specifications were, or the owner of DiscWorld would have sent it right back.

Upon discovering this, Paul, the owner of DiscWorld, and I have been playing phone tag and excuse mill with Acer.

1: When ordered, neither Paul or I were told that this computer was exclusive to any particular store chain.
2: The Acer distributor/seller sent the wrong one, knowing full well that wasn't what was ordered, as the need for the higher end machine was fully explained.
3: Acer refuses to send the right one.

I am a long time Acer computer user (Extensa 2000, Aspire 5735 , Travelmate 4230 laptops and a Aspire Netbook) and am disgusted with the way you have handled this. I am also forwarding this to others, as I feel that now that the excuse of the Holidays is long past, Acer should have rectified this error by now.

Next stop, Australia Consumer Protection

Precocious Panda

Panda gazes back over its shoulder at onlookers.

Created with TwistedBrush Pro Studio, Art Pro Oil Pastel brushes.

I used to be a fan of AvantGo

being a longtime Palm handheld user, I really liked using AvantGo to download web articles to my device. Last year, they closed shop, and went mobile phone (mostly iPhone, blackberry etc) leaving Palm and PocketPC users pretty much in a lurch.

I have been trying "Plucker", and it's easy enough to use, has great compression, easy to read, ok format. It's too bad that so many of the websites I used to subscribe to are now set up with so much flash, or for iPhone only mobile settings. Also takes longer than AvantGo used to to update the pages.

Well, might take longer, but still less time consuming than trying to read the sites while mobile. Also, no WAP charges.

I guess this explains how he knew it was a "True Story"?

Insomnia.

Woke up about an hour ago, and just could not get back to sleep. It's not that it's too hot to sleep, as I can sleep if I have a cooling breeze (natural or fan created), but I also just can't get my brain to shut off. Of course now I have two cats meowing at me, as they think I am going to let them out at 3am.

Again with the Good news Bad news

Good news: Aikidomayland has his new bright shiny computer. Paul gave us a few extras in it. Will have to copy data over from the old hd after reinstalling a few programs. Easy Peasy!

Bad news: My 'right computer (aka The Cheetah) still hasn't arrived, and I am heartily fed up with packing it, unpacking it over and over. Paul told us that on Monday, he will be driving down to the depot and pick the damned thing up himself, as he i also heartily fed up with their antics.

Good News: Mini-Me is back. It seems the battery draining overnight is/was a bios issue, and has since been fixed. I don't mind a 10 to 20% loss when it's been sitting idle for a few days, but this flat battery overnight was really getting annoying.

A bit of silly about the pool

I was in it, enjoying the coolness, and the floating. Had my ear buds in, listening to an audio book, when I start hearing this yowling. I roll over, sit up, and look for the source. Loki was standing on the kennel in the enclosure, yowling in displeasure at my apparent attempts of self drowning.

So, I got out, came in, and he proceeded to remove all the loose fur on his body by buffing on my shins, all the time meowing and complaining.

What a goofy moggie.

After a bit of a splish splash in the pool

I came in, did a quick rinse down, and washed my hair.

Then, I had the urge for a drink. I decided to try one of my birthday presents from Delicious Irony. Crystal, Served over ice, as suggested.

Oh my my my. Sweet, without being too cloying, with a lovely after taste of honey. Almost like a fine aged honey mead.

Just saw the up coming weather forecast

I wonder if I should start melting now.

Nah, I'm just glad I got the pool set up.

Been getting busy with the Intuos again

After a time of it being idle, I am artistically inspired again. h.t. to Ken Carlino for the inspiration.

Geosynchronous Orbit

Using thrusters, a city sized space liner closes in to orbit over a small Jovian planet.

Proxima Station 2

A domed city, built on an asteroid, floats above an alien planet in the Proxima Centauri System, humans ever curious explore further into the reaches of space.

I still hope that some miracle of physics is discovered and such travel becomes reality.

I wouldn't have believed it possible

TV Talk show hosts collective IQs have just plummeted. Sarah "The Quitter" Palin is going to be one on FAUX NOISE. Just when I thought their meager intellect (they are pretty good at parroting GOP talking points) couldn't go any lower, it slams through the basement, heading toward the center of the earth.

Don't get me started.

I told some MALE anti choice every sperm is sacred person, who said motherhood is the highest honor a woman can achieve "Being nothing more than a broodmare is an honor? Fine, you go be one."

A very enterprising young man

About an hour ago, a young man about 12 knocked on our door. He had a granny grocery cart loaded with a leaf vacuum cleaner, and car washing items. He wanted to know if we would like to have the leaves removed from the carport /front yard, and the car washed for the bargain price of $15. Sounded good.

He plugged in the leaf cleaner, and wow he did a great job. Even got those clumps that were tangled up with spider webbing.

Then, onto the car. He is doing it the right way. Hose down the car first, to remove all loose material and dirt. Using the right chamois clothes, cleaning the dirt and other sundries from it.

Since he is right out my window, I can hear him. He came to the front of the car. I heard a loud sigh and then.. "BUGS! bugs bugs bugs bugs BUGS!.", which is an accurate description of the front bumper and grill of the car.

I had to dash out of the room so he wouldn't hear me laughing.

Shows a lot of initiative on his part. This young man will go far, should this initiative not be quashed.

Field of Zen

I have always found it difficult to make something simple. Took a few trial and errors, but the end result was worth it.

Minimalist scenic made with the Art Pro watercolor set from TwistedBrush 16.11

Because I have mentioned it a few times

That Simba is Ziggys' son, I figured I should put up a side by side of them both.

Simba on the left, Ziggy on the right

Being male, Simba has heavier jowls. But they have the same coloring, same facial markings, and same bright green eyes.

Good news, bad news

Good news: went to Disc World, and the RIGHT computer (the quad with 6 gigs ram, etc etc) was shipped!
Bad News: I was two days early. Will be there Saturday.
Gooder news: Paul will be taking the hd out of the 'wrong' computer and put it in the right one, and make it the primary drive without taking out the drive in the right computer. 1.5 tbs should keep me out of trouble for a while. Might have to change/update a few drivers, but that is no great shakes.

Good News: Acer Netbook (aka Mini-Me) loves the memory boost.
Bad News: Something is draining the battery even when the machine is shut off.
Good News: It's back in Paul's hands to find out why.

Bad news: Aikidomayland's computer is toast. Mother board blown, and the power supply iffy.
Good News: Aikidomayland is getting a new motherboard, core 2 CPU this time, more memory. He still appreciates that Alan and I tried to upgrade his computer while he was away. And no, it wasn't our upgrading that killed it. heh But Aikidomayland did get 6 yrs of use out of it, so that isn't bad at all.

You just know

You just know you have gotten a malnourished cat past being malnourished when he turns his nose up something he normally would eat (and still does when the mood hits him).

Simba, the now 'fussy at his dinner plate' cat, checking out the Kitteh Holiday Present (small RF controlled helicopter)

It's alive! It's ALIVE!

A few days after Christmas/Yule there was a power outtage. The On/Off/On/Off variety, and then our 3 yr old stove top stopped working. We called where we got it, and got the 'brand of appliance appropriate' electrician out here to check it. Turns out the power surges fried one of the switches, and popped the fuse in the breaker. One of the other switches was making funny fizzing noises, so we got that one replaced as well, rather than have him come back out in a few months time to fix that one.

The pool water was a bit cloudy, more than likely a calcium build up. So, I got my old bath brush, and a siphon hose. I used the water in the pool to clean it with the brush, and then used the siphon hose to pull out the dirt that settled in the botton. I also drained about half the pool water out (10 watering cans I lugged to use it on the garden, potted plants/trees, and the orange tree). I cleaned the water filter, and then refilled the pool. Added bleach to, waited 1 hour, and got it. Blessed relief again. Back pain has vamoosed again. Has been gone for (looks at the clock) six hours and counting.

I think I am going to try to figure out a way to keep the water warm during what passes for winter down here.

Put the "Simba training" into practice for the first time today. He went after Ziggy, he got locked in the bathroom for 5 minutes. You should have heard his yowling! You would have thought he was being tortured!

Post holiday humdrum

Meegan and I went pillaging yesterday. Got two sets of really nice sheets (400 thread count). Also got some new nose studs, as I am rather tired of the dull piercing studs.

Leg and back was singing AVE MARIA in 4 part harmony, so I decided it was time for the pool. A total of 2 hours in it, not only was the leg feeling better, but the chronic ache in my back/hip area disappeared for a goodly amount of time.

Simba has been really going after Ziggy. He doesn't try to hurt her (remember, he is her son, and he remembers her), but she wants nothing to do with him. She starts growling at him, challenging him. And if he gets closer, she screams blue bloody murder. I am sporting 4 parallel scratches on my ribs where Ziggy panic jumped, using me as a launch pad. Well, we have come up with a plan: if Simba (more like when)goes after Ziggy again, he will be put in the bathroom, with the door closed for 3 to 5 minutes. He is a smart cat, and will figure it out. And this will help Ziggy, who is so stressed out right now, because Simba just wants to get acquainted again. Maybe we should get some Feli-away from 'her' room too.

Simba and Lucy visit the vet.

We wanted to make sure that we were doing the right things for foster kitties, so we made an appointment for them to see our vet.

At first, Simba couldn't wait to exit the pet carrier.  Then he wanted to go back in.  I think he knew what was coming.

Heart, lungs check out fine. As did eyes.





"Didn't I just see a thermometer.... EEP!"





Lucy had to be wrestled out of her carrier.





Heart murmur detected, but nothing to worry about for now. Lungs good too.





Allergy eyes all better.





"Where did that thermometer disappear to....EEEP!"





You will be happy to know they are getting healthy, but still have a ways to go. On careful examination, the vet did find that their coats were still shabby (as in thin and brittle fur) in areas, mostly their haunches and back legs.  She examined the bald patch on Simba's shoulder, and said it could be scarring, but to keep an eye on it. Should it get bigger, or similar patches show up elsewhere, bring him in, she will pluck a few hairs and check for ringworm.  Didn't show any ringworm sign under UV lamp, but it's something to keep an eye on. Simba weighs in at 7.5 kilos.  


Onto Lucy.  Lucy does have a heart murmur.  Vet said it's something we need to keep an eye on, and should be checked every 6 months.  It's  not a problem now, but as she gets older, she will need medications and probably a special diet.  We were told to keep watch for labored breathing, lethargy.   We have made an appointment for her in 6 months time for a follow up on that.  Lucy weighs in at 5 kilos.

The grooves from ill fitting collars are still there and could take a long time to fill in.

Both of their eyes have cleared up, no more allergy issues, but should it happen again, we have the ointment to treat it.  

The vet said their weight is perfect now, so two meat servings and biscuits to nibble on during the day is enough, and to not give into their begging for more, or else they will could get obese, which is a common problem with previously malnourished animals.  Just keep doing what we are doing, and they will continue onto a healthy life.

So, overall, they are improving. Vet said she can't understand why someone would treat such beautiful and expensive animals the way that moron did, but she said given more time, they will physically recover. She does agree that mentally... that will take longer.

The full sized images are 3600 x2400, but compressed so they are only about 500k each.