Well, getting things set to right

Was happy to hear that family and friends weathered the hurricane Irene unscathed. A bit soggy, but ok.

Caversham yesterday was a mixed bag. Was great seeing friends, was fun walking about. But as usual, I overdid it just a wee bit. Not as bad off as I used to get after a 6 hr walk about didn't totally lame me. I guess it's a sort of progress. Got some great photos of itty bitty birds, and some other larger critters. :)

Still plugging away at getting computer set up. I won't do it all at once, due to frustration that can build from install, reboot, swap disc or search for file, repeat as necessary over and over again. This shit gets old fast, as does rebuilding a system.

Right now, coffee is not a beverage... it's a necessity.

How to Balance the Budget in one easy step.

h.t. to Pete Bobb!

I am one of those who would like to see our military budget cut.
Military Spending:
1) USA $1,400 Billion
2) China $114 Billion
3) France $61 Billion
4) Britain $57 Billion
5) Russia $52 Billion
6) Japan $51 Billion
7) Germany $46 Billion
8) Saudi Arabia $39 Billion
9) Italy $38 Billion
10) India $36 Billion
11) Brazil $26 Billion
America outspends the next 10 biggest spenders by $880 Billion!
85 Nations of the world have military budgets measured in the millions.

America is trying to repeat the experience of the USSR of spending far too much military spending. Bluntly, America CAN'T afford it!
If America cut $1 Trillion per year from the military budget, saving $10 trillions over the next decade, we would still be spending more than double the combined amounts of China and Russia's military budgets!

The new computer has arrived

Well, the 2nd new one arrived. Would you believe the first one I brought back home had to go back to Harvey Norman because some bright sparks at Acer forgot to install the OS, and still shipped it to Harvey Norman. *headdesk*

Well, the guys at HN were great, while I was boxing up the No OS Brian was taking one down, and checked it, and even made recovery discs for me. He said if that didn't work, he would just give me a full cash refund and I could go shopping.

The good news is though, no more overheating, and this beast was actually designed to use an external 2nd monitor, and there is no problem with the video playing this time.

Unfortunately, those back ups I made won't work with the new one, so it will be a few weeks before I get everything set up even close to the way I had it.

Digital version of "Measure twice, cut once"

I decided that before I wipe the D:\DATA drive I would go through and compare the D:\Data to where I had the back up, and am so glad I did. Seems a few things didn't get moved over, like my music archive, and some other media. I for one am very glad I checked.

Things to do only because I don't trust Acer Repair:

Uninstall Roboform and purge data list
Remove profile from Firefox
Uninstall Chrome
Copy Forte Agent Data over, and then uninstall and purge.
Move mIRC and logs over, and delete from system.
Wipe data from the D:\Data drive

Reboot, and then remove my user profile from the computer.

Riddle me this

And so far, it's 50/50 yes or no.

My faulty computer is to be exchanged on Saturday. This is good. This particular model has been superseded, which is sort of good. I have a brand spanking new disc image that I want to restore to that new computer. There might be a few driver issues, but that is easily remedied.

Problem is I have been given exactly the same amount of Ayes as Nays as to whether I can restore MY Windows 7 to the new Windows 7 machine, as they aren't 'identical' computers.

Well, I'm going to try. If all goes well, 3 hrs of waiting and everything will be set to rights. If not, two weeks of installing, rebooting, installing rebooting. Right now, I am copying over installed programs to external hd. Not to run them, but to have a list of what I have installed. Have Belarc Advisor to help me keep track of things too. Each one that is installed gets removed from the copy drive. Oh joy.

I asked Acer (Non)Help desk why they couldn't have just done this at the outset, instead of 18 months of 'fixing'. The answer was beyond lame.

Good Afternoon Sandra,

I can imagine it is not the greatest feeling in the world and I do empathise with your situation.

It is Acer Computers Australia's policy to attempt to repair a computer until the machine is diagnosed as unrepairable by an Acer technician.

This is as we are usually able to fix the issue as we gain a better understanding of the faults and build up a case history of the individual scenario.

I do apologise for the time taken until the end result of a replacement, and I do wish you better luck in the future.

18 months of being on the fritz is 'attempts to repair'? Wow, how so precious of them.

I went and did it

I made a clean spot. Made a few of them, which led to me doing some serious cleaning in a few spots. And now, my right side hurts like hell. The reason I made those clean spots was an attempt to find the USB dongle for the wireless keyboard and mouse that I have to send back. I haven't used either of them for long time, as their reaction times were too slow for WoW. (yes, I play) Replaced them with a gamer mouse and keyboard.

Oh well. If'n I can't find it, I can't find it.

problem is, hurt is along side nausea. Might have had something to do with me pulling a wheel barrow of weeds out of the front yard, too.

Holy Moly, should have blogged it to their FaceBook page MONTHS ago

I just got off the phone with an Acer customer rep, one who actually did something other than try to bribe me with a crappy keyboard and mouse.

Ersan called Harvey Norman, and spoke to the senior/manager of the computer sales, and made arrangements for me to take faulty machine back, and exchange it, for a new model too, because this one isn't in stock anymore! I will be able to use my system image back up, but will have to update a few drivers. I can live with that! I have case #, direct phone numbers, and other contact details.

Why the Acer (non) Help Desk didn't do this after the third time this computer needed to be fixed is beyond me, but dayam I am very happy to know this has been fixed. Now just have to wait to get a ride down, or Saturday, whichever comes first

Decided to be a bit more proactive about Acer's inability to do the right thing

I have decided on a multi pronged plan of action. I already have copies of all the repair tickets printed and ready to go out. I have used social media Twitter and Facebook and have asked "18 month old under warranty computer sent in for repairs 5x. Now needs a 6th.Why can't I get it replaced as it's obviously a lemon?".

I was able to go into more detail on Facebook, listing the Two Grey Screen of Death sessions, the two sessions with the video card/motherboard/USB card replacements, the overheating/them wiping my hd without my permission, and now with it overheating again.

They want me to ship it back again. I have enrolled in Canon Photo5, and can't have this computer being shipped out, maybe being 'repaired' yet again, then sitting in a shop bench testing for weeks. And it's not right for them to expect me to put up with this yet again.

I won't hold my breath

But I have requested that Acer replace my faulty computer, rather than repair it for the 6th time. The machine is obviously faulty, and I have been more than patient. And with all the aggravation and stress, to upgrade the unit to the next model (the i3 or i7 version).

But as the subject says, I won't hold my breath. I might look good in blue, but I don't think I would look good blue.

That was serendipitous

A few weeks ago, I noticed my external USB drive I use for making back up system image was getting low space warning. So I decided to get an external USB drive that was the same size as the entire hard drive, including the partitioned "Data" drive.

Now, for the past month or so I have been fighting with my desktop using a 2nd monitor connected with a "Windows 7 compatible/approved" USB/DVI. As many knows, I've had mixed results. If whatever I am running is Aero compatible, Video plays perfectly on the 2nd monitor. But if I used any program that isn't Aero Compatible and Aero shuts off, video stops, but audio keeps playing. Turns out this also affects graphic editing programs if I try to run them on the 2nd monitor too.

BUT.. I installed Windows XP Virtual machine. I noticed that when Aero shut down, video did keep playing, albeit a bit choppily due to lack of assignable resources. This was an issue with WVM rather than the desktop. So, I installed Oracle Virtual Box, tweaked and adjusted memory allocation and system resources, and video runs great.

Then an old issue raised it's ugly head: computer running warm (not hot) and suddenly shutting down. I got CPUID HW Monitor and took screen cap and sent it to (drum roll) Acer Support! Yes, I decided to delve into the madness that is Acer support yet again! I got a reply fairly quick.
Thank you for contacting Acer Online Support.
In regards to the CPUID screen you have forwarded to me, is that your Z5610 in idle, or was it running multiple programs at the time?

Generally, based on the data you have provided, I would suggest that your CPU is running 'Warm' i.e on the hotter side of normal but not yet in the 'Overheating' spectrum.

However, having a look at your repair history, I can see that we have repaired your machine previously on a number of occasions for similar issues and I believe it would be best to bring your unit in for diagnosis and or repair.

In this case, I would suggest that the unit's motherboard should be tested for faults, thermal paste applied onto the CPU and the heat sink tested and replaced.

Please advise me if you would like me to arrange such a repair.

I kindly await your reply.

Is it time for me to just demand a total replacement and be done with it?

As for the serendipity... I now have an external drive to do a brand spanking new, fully up to date drivers and all, system image. Oh joy!

I am a tad annoyed

Not too long ago, I had ordered my usual "Rocket Fuel" coffee beans from Amanti. Due to a bit of a health issue, I only just got around to opening the parcel that was delivered.

Coffee was "Jet Fuel", not "Rocket Fuel". They're close but Rocket Fuel (don't be fooled by the name, it's not heavily caffeinated, it's just the blend name) is better. I find the Jet Fuel bitter by comparison.

Not only that, I checked the invoice. Yes, I had ordered 5 1kg bags of Rocket Fuel. However, not only were Jet Fuel beans sent, but only 4 and I was billed for 5.

Does this look like "Rocket Fuel" to anyone?

*takes hat off in mourning*

Our 11 yr old microwave had bit the big one. The door safety mechanism isn't working anymore. I called around and the price of just 'looking' at it ranged from $80 to $129. Also, with it being over 10 yrs old, there was no guarantee a part could be found, and if not, that's $80 to $129 down the drain. I called around (RetraVision and Harvey Norman) and asked them both the same question. HN hemmed and hawed and gave me guesstimates on prices. RetraVision went onto the floor and quoted me prices on makes and models. Three guesses where we are going?

You'd think in this very competitive economy, that the drones at HN would be a bit more up on their game.

Oh ow ow ow ow ow

Ziggy has taken a while to come to trust us. Typical behavior for an adopted adult cat.

About 15 mins ago, she climbed up on my lap without having to be enticed. So, I started stroking her down the back. She did this precious foot curl where she pulls the foot up almost up to her chest. Then, she started padding on my legs.

Ziggy is a Bengal. She has longer than the average cat claws. They easily went through my jeans. Ow ow ow ow ow claws claws claws pad pad knead knead, PURRRRRRR.

I'm quite sure there will be pinprick marks on my legs, looking rather like a rash.

Photoshop/Photography Tools

My external flash was having a problem. Turned out to be a small bit of dirt on one of the contacts. That was what was causing the to flash not only quit too soon, but concentrate on just one part of the subjects face, thereby giving an uneven exposure.

Yes, I could have tried using the burn tool, but that can leave the tones flattened, or tried selecting the over bright areas and tried lowering it, but there would be a demarcation.

The Photoshop tool I used was Viveza by NikSoftware. It allowed me to select the over bright (not overexposed, luckily) and lower the brightness of the selected tones only.





Viveza v2 seems to only work with Photoshop or Lightroom but the earlier version can be used as an a plug in if the software is capable of using "Adobe Compatible" plugins. Of course, it could be that the v2 I have is for 64bit, but I don't know.

Nope, didn't change my mind about them

They are still a bunch of bought and paid for by PACs and corporations, close minded, ignorant, uneducated, narrow minded, hypocritical idiotic , lying hominids who would joyously drag the US into being their fucked up flavor of a Christian fundamentalist theocracy. Iran, but with a cross instead of crescent moon.


These morons are the best thing to happen for the Democratic party.

Nostalgia kick revisited

"Kolchack: The Night Stalker". The original series, not the more modern rehash.

Much (if not all) of the tech is outdated, but the story lines and acting still hold their own. Darren McGavin was great as the enthusiastic, if a bit clumsy, investigative journalist. And Simon Oakland was fabulous, if a bit predictable, as his crotchety boss.

Pardon me while I enjoy the show.

Remember when..

345 Meg hard drives were huge? Even when a 10 meg hd was 'all the space you would need'.

The only reason I mention this is I have a 500 gb hd that I have been using for making system back ups. I have one on a smaller drive that I did shortly after the 'right' computer showed up. Installed some basic programs then made a system back up. I put that one away in a drawer to not be used unless of complete hd failure. But regarding the 500 gb drive, the problem is there is only 2.5 megabytes left of free space. I have next back up scheduled in about a week, and have changed space settings as to delete the older system images/data. Even with this, I will be hard pressed to have enough space.

I could get another large externally powered storage drive, but I want the ability to unplug the drive, and put it somewhere secure and not have to working about finding a power adapter along with the USB cord. So, I went 'shopping' and have gotten two USB powered 1 tb drives. I figured that terabyte drive would be the way to go, as that is what the full size if of the drive in the computer, both C and the D:\Data.

Loki - My Pet-itor in Chief

Loki oversees what I am doing.



I re-arranged the desk layout because I noticed the monitor looks way too unstable on the upper shelf. Loki likes it.

Didn't think it was possible but...

Leftover chicken vindaloo is even yummier on the 2nd night.

Pre-storm gardening done

Got one bag of potting mix, and topped up the lime tree, avocado tree, sage plant, rosemary, and lilly pilly. Wing is surprised that one bag of potting soil went that fast. Will have to get some more.

Keeping an eye on the weather, as the lime tree is in full blossom and is fruiting again. We are going to have severe storm or heavy winds, I will have to 'tuck' the lime tree in again. Might just do it now as a preventative measure. I have had citrus trees stripped of flowers and fruit in a single storm before.

We've always been at war with Oceania

Been watching the 'nutrition' experts. Over the years they have seesawed on everything.

Examples:
Caffiene/coffee is bad for you. Then it was good for you. Then it was bad for you, now it's good for you. I expect that to change again.

Salt: good for you, bad for you, now not the High blood pressure villain it was claimed to be. Next flip flow in 3..2...

Wine: good for you, bad for you, good for you, now causes cancer. (Same arguments were used about Cyclamates, was replaced by Saccharine. Then Saccharine was said to cause cancer. Now we have NutraSweet/Asparatame)

Sugars/Carbs: good for you, bad for you, good for you, bad and now causes diabetes and obesity. Of course then neglect mentioning if you eat enough of them for three healthy adults.

My take on it: Enjoy life, and all things in moderation.

Slight pet peeve

Camera bags. I have three, and none of them are quite what I want. It seems that many camera bags boast the ability to hold camera and at least two lenses, but beware! They neglect to mention lens hoods for a reason. Because they don't fit in the bag with the lenses leaving you with the option of either leaving them behind, or finding some way to strap them to the strap of your camera bag, or put them on a belt.

I would like a bag that I can put my camera, my 7-200 with lens hood, without the bag feeling like it's going to come apart at the seams, or like my backpack, look like an alien is going to burst through it.

Small chores

Wing started his new job today. Seemed odd to see him in a shirt, tie, suit get up again.

Been processing photographs I took while in Broome. You can really lose time when you have a few hundred to sort through.

Decided to clean/clear off the table next to the bed. That consisted of picking it up and upending the contents onto the bed. Then, sorting through it, chucking things out and putting other things away. Back is achey now, because everything that needs cleaning is just below waist level.

Got a couple loads of wash done.

Gawd so boring. heh

Just call me Ms Fixit!

Went to use my stapler, only to discover it wasn't working. The spring and a spindle fell off.

Off to Google, used search string "Spring in stapler came out" and actually found a video that was similar to mine. Design was a bit different, but I followed the instructions as close as I could. Was a bit of fiddly work, but I got it fixed.

Green Thumb day

Went to Bunnings and picked up some gardening supplies. Plant food (two varieties), two new thyme seedlings (my 6 yr old plant finally bit the big one) and a goodly sized catnip plant. Those three have been put in pots and properly watered and fed. We have sequestered the catnip plant in the cat enclosure to prevent it from getting mauled by Keito, Loki, or any stray neighborhood cats. Pinched two leaves off of it and offered one to Loki. Wow, he really liked it. Even Keito seemed interested. Ziggy had already had a dose of nip earlier in the day so wasn't so enthused at the time.

Mixed up some plant food, and gave some to my heavily flowering and fruiting lime tree, and gave all the potted herb plants a good feed too.

Been 'processing' photos, but the majority of the processing is nothing more than leveling horizons (I still tend to tilt a bit to the left) and cropping. Should keep me busy for a while. :)

Umm, ow?

A bit tender right under the sternum. Hogsbreath 'mascot' stabbed me with nerf like sword, right on very tender spot. He thought my folding over was playing along until he clued to the fact everyone around him were gasping. Then I leaned in and told him. He couldn't apologise enough. I told him it wasn't his fault, he didn't know.

Home sweet home

Just got back. Was ignored by then promptly swarmed by the cats.

Have to crack open the suitcases carefully, remove clothing with tongs and get them decontaminated asap. Ok, no tongs are really needed, but two suitcases of 'hiking adventure' clothing is a bit.. umm fragrant.

Glad to be home, but missing the warm already.

Most our bags are packed for heading home

Wow, Broome has been great. Yes, would have been better if Wing hadn't tried to fit 10 days of touring into three, but it's been good. I am exhausted but the kind that sleeping 8 hrs at home will 'cure'.

This trip has pretty much been a pilgrimage for Wing. His father used to tell him how beautiful it was up here and he must come up here. Wing would have preferred to come up with his mom and dad, but... At least he now knows what his father was talking about. We shall come back again, and next time for the wildlife tours! :D

Broome Day Two-ish

Did a bit of local sight seeing, Pearl Lugger Museum, China Town, the Japanese/Chinese cemetery. Wing kinda figured out that walking me to exhaustion isn't conducive for fun vacation.

Got a swim suit for me, and I spent about 20 minutes in the pool when we got back. Felt great, feet stopped throbbing and knee felt much better.

Got an email from Redbubble. After two+ months they ' moderated'(aka deleted) one of my posts because although I didn't name anyone, or single out a group, the ones playing favorites felt picked upon and sicced Redbubble Admin on me. Boo f*cking hoo. The ones who went whining didn't like how I pointed out they were constantly playing favorites, ignoring and kicking back other work that in some cases were identical to the ones they were giving a pass to. Guess their guilt
conscience caught up with them and they went crying to mommy and daddy. I stand by my original statement... Screw 'em.

The high points of day one

Even though getting up so early on day one was somewhat irksome, it was also a good because no one really sleeps well the first night at a hotel/motel/resore.

We headed out on a 'tour bus', which was a rig for going over soft shifty sand and really rough off roads. We went to Beagle Bay, One Arm Point, and Cape Leveque. Was beautiful to the extreme. Was worth the now aching abdomen (all that bouncing kind of aggravated the mostly healed area. But I would do it again in a heartbeat.)

More on the 'shoddy services' here.. there is no on site laundry service, and since we have a studio, we don't have a washing machine either. I finally got snarly and said "Whoever spoke to the booking agent should have mentioned that there was no cafe, and that studios don't have laundry facilities. If they had we would have chosen to go elsewhere." We were informed we could use the backpackers hostel's laundry service. Thanks, but no thanks. I am NOT going to lug plastic bags of dirty clothes to a laundry down the street and sit there for 3 hrs. If we had known about this lack of service, we would have asked for a full suite. There are many empty ones here, so that wouldn't have been a problem

The only saving grace is "The Old Zoo Cafe". The wait staff are excellent, the menu fantastic, and the service leaves you wanting to come back again. Oh yeah, it's the one that's '5 minutes' from here... yeah, Microsoft minutes.

The Broom Sanctuary Resort aka Grand Mecure

This isn't a 4 star hotel, not even close. We find out not only is there no cafe, or even room service, there isn't any courtesy transportation or a mini shop for basic necessities. Also the concierge needs to brush up on Time on Target, or distances. She told us the cafe/restaurant was a '5 minute walk' away. Wing and I being game headed out. 20 mins later, we walked back to the hotel.

Her chirpy "You can't miss it!" earned "Well, yes you can miss it, we did." from Wing. She then again gave inaccurate time/distance. (80 meters? In what fewking universe!!?? More like 200 meters. Just wasn't fun for someone who essentially has 6 stab wounds in her abdomen that are at various stages of healing. (did I mention I turned around and walked smack into a door knob that was just the right height about a week ago? No? sorry)

So, we managed to find the place by asking people walking around. Had a nice dinner, got some bread and macadamia slices for breakfast tomorrow.

4 stars? I might give them a three. And that's being kind because the room is clean and tidy.

All my bags (re)packed, and I'm ready to go

Wing and I are taking a trip up to Broome. One reason, it's beautiful there, and another it will give us time to relax (and for me to heal up a bit more)

For those not in the know (aka not from Australia), Broome is a touristy sort of place, well known for Pearls and pearl diving.

So, I shall be absent again, not that I have been around much due to physical issues at this time. Caversham day trip almost wiped me out. Just went to show how drained I really am. I need the sun and warmth. Will do me a world of good

File not found! Cold Boot? Warm Boot? Steel Toed Boot?

INSTALLING COMMON SENSE IN WASHINGTON.....
███████████████░░░░░░░░░░░░░░ 44% DONE.
Install delayed....please wait.
Installation failed. Please try again. 404 error: COMMON SENSE IN WASHINGTON not found. " COMMON SENSE " cannot be located. The program may be too large for intended recipient. Try removing “SPECIAL INTERESTS” and "TEA PARTY" before reloading.

Trying to be upbeat

But...

Tomorrow is my sisters birthday. She would have been 53. She promised we would grow old together and compare notes. Things didn't work out the way we wanted.