The end of 2014

I keep thinking about this past year. All the ups and downs, meeting new friends, keeping in touch with not so new friends. The trips, the vacations, the photo gear.

And when I think about all of that, it pales in comparison to the one thing that happened later in this year.

After 4 years of no contact, my oldest son, Paul sent me an SOS. And in that instant the 4 years of no contact evaporated. We talked for hours, and it was as if none of those empty 4 years existed.

A wound my heart had is gone. I no longer think of Paul, Collin, Jason, Joey and Bella with sadness. I smile now.

So, for everything that I got or happened this year, my favorite event was  "Mom, can you call. I need you."

Because I don't have a Kobo reader...

but I do want to read books available for sale on Kobo, but don't want to read them on my desktop, I have to jump through some hoops, that to describe how to do it is more complicated than the actually DOING of it. (And made more difficult when you have a small cat climbing all over the place)

Ok, bought a book, and when I went to find the epub on my desktop, all there is is a bunch of incoherent characters.  Ok, a bit of google to find what the hell is going on.  Ok, found out that to get epub, I have to download and install Adobe Digital Editions, then authorize the computer and download the epub.

Done.

I want to read it on my Kindle.  Hmmm, ok, the next step is to 'convince' the epub to not be a drm'ed epub, and then converted it to a mobi format.  Find file, have one program talk to it. Then have Calibre make a mobi format, then copy to kindle.

All I want to do is read my damned book. Yes, I understand there are naughty people out there that would prefer to not pay for the ebook, but that isn't me. BUT I want to read it where I want to read it.  One device. Not one tablet with three different e-readers, thanks anyhow.

Gee, should I take Apple up on this one?

They sent me a link to a survey about how I rate their service.

I wonder if they have a selection of "Sucks big fat donkey dick"? 

I think I will give it some thought before I click on that link.

Gottla Love iPhiles.. with ketchup

You know something, Apple.. you suck. And not the kind of suck that leaves anyone smiling.

Apple sells cross platform Quicktime Pro, an APPLE product, that works on a PC.  There is an issue with with it running, and even though this error happens on both PCs and Macs, the fob PC customers off with the "We only offer help if it's on a Mac."

I went to MicroSoft Answertech, where it seems they're quite familiar with Apple's bull$hit. Problem fixed. I posted the solution for those not comfortable with going into the registry and change permissions and do some editing,  on the Apple support forum, and enter APPLE FANBOI TO THE RESCUE!

Of course, iPhile immediately said it must me MY incompetence (to those who know me, this is a laughable comment) so I posted this in response then unfollowed the post:

Actually, I am an old hand at delving into the registry and tweaking it, have been for 15+ years. But my "trashing"... when I get told by Apple support themselves they know about this problem, and even know how fix it, but since I don't have a Mac they won't.... they deserve a bit of a textual spanking.

Also, did you miss the part that this also happens to Mac users? Either way, not going to argue. Apple sells a product, then doesn't support it. End of Story. Tweak does it automatically, for those (unlike me) who don't know how to or are reluctant to make registry edits.

Smash forehead into keyboard to continue

Ok, I am really on my last nerve when it comes to telecommunications, whether phone or computer. 

Our router died after years of long service. IINET did send another very quickly. That's the good news. Bad news is it doesn't like my wireless on my desktop, and when I start more than one program that accesses the internet, the "default gateway" goes "fnurky" and I have to reset the router.  Of course, first thing is they say it HAS To me my network adapter.  Umm, no, seeing as it can connect and stay connected to 3 different wireless routers/Wifi devices.  So, after a few hours hammering away, IINET support said they will send another modem, give that one a try see if that works. (Hey, did my purchase curse apply here?) 

And in OTHER news: Ordered new handset for Alan via VodaFone, forever now until the sun goes supernova, shall be known as VodaFail, on the 5th of November.  No show for 3 weeks. I email via their support page. Gist of the message from them was "Oops, our bad! Will send it out right away!"

Go forward another 3 weeks, and nothing. I call. I'm not happy. I'm made to chant the my details over and over and over. They have no record of my emailing their support.  Funny, I have not only the reply from their support but a reference number.  Pregnant pause ensued.  FINALLY, they will be sending the phone in 3 to 5 days.

It arrived today.  Did I mention they knew that this was an upgrade from a Samsung Galaxy S2, so would need a new sim chip? Shoot, even the gal who I dealt with on Nov 5th told me that!  Guess what DIDN'T arrive with the phone.  (insert a string of words that would make a 20 yr Marine Drill Instructor blush).  I call VodaFail, while on the landline with IINET, and Again, I am NOT happy here.  Paying for 2 $%%#%$*&@# months of phone service that can't be used? 

I told them that they had better not DARE to send me a survey again, because they would NOT like the responses.  I have a headache, my eyes hurt and I can hear the blood pounding in my ears.

It's like caring for a child

Ziggy, our older Bengal, has the habit of when she is stressed, she will lick an area on her leg until the fur fall out, and the skin is irritated. Then the vicious circle of her licking it because it itches , which makes it more raw and irritated, which makes it itchier starts. I put a "Cone of Shame on her and we took her to the vet. 

Exam showed no sign of skin infection. Vet and assistant shaved and washed the area, put NeoCort (Combine NeoSporin and Hydrocortisone) ointment on the area, giving it almost immediate relief. Anti-biotic and cortisone injection to last the day.  Came home with medications for her.

Unlike Loki, who just got on with life when he had to wear the CONE OF SHAME, Ziggy sulks.  Right now, she is on the desk extension/armrest look out the window, dozing off. (yeah, I know, I really didn't want that armrest, did I?) 

 

Did I mention how it's thrown my usual schedule into a tailspin?  Get up, crush pill, hide in her food, feed other three, put 1 in bedroom, take CONE OF SHAME off Ziggy, let her 'do her business', put her in front of medicated food (limiting overnight eating ensures she chows down on whatever we give her). 

Drink of water, give her a few minutes to groom face. CONE OF SHAME back on. Wing holds her up on 'show pose', while I put on rubber gloves, and apply NeoCort to her leg and upper thigh.

We get to repeat the ointment again in the evening.  I have an antibiotic past to give her, but the first dose.. well lets just say I had to wash it off her face. Vets need to come up with a tuna flavored version. *sigh*

December 7, 2014, Full Moon.

 

Canon 7Dmk2, Sigma 150-500, Kenko 1.4x extender. ISO 200, f/9.0, 1/200exp. 100% crop.

Ah, the joy of having a laptop that is desktop clone

What I didn't expect was when i went to use it for a specific filter, and it was gone. I checked in CS5 and CS6. No joy.

Booted up my laptop, and did a "Search Everything" and located them on in the AppData folder, and copied them over to an SD card, then imported them onto desktop folder.

Now that is a "Mission Accomplished" (on a small scale). ;)