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Saturday, December 28, 2002
post://90097975/
I want to create a web site for computer systems. I can go to the shows, get pricing, get some suppliers -- it's just a question of showing everyone that I know exactly what I'm doing when it comes to making them. I've been building and repairing PCs for at least 7 years now, I know the right hardware to use for what you want to do, be it games, video editing, DVD ripping, burning, music, midi... I love doing it too, it's just so pleasing to take a pile of parts and turn it into a working machine.
I had some business cards made up - need to make a site to showcase the system I've got and work from there.
People are just too tempted by Dell, Gateway... it's so easy, you get a flat panel pretty much thrown in, but the system itself is a hybrid... most of the pieces are on the motherboard, there's limited expandability, and usually cheapened to allow them to sell them for so cheap. Gateway was even giving away a free $399 PC when you bought one of their expensive models as an Xmas promo. I can't compete with that, don't profess to be able to. I will, however make as good of a PC as I can for whatever someone is willing to spend. Matching things like soundcards with the surround sound systems, graphics cards with busses and the correct memory for the best performance, that's where the true knowledge comes into play, it's a challenge that I love.
posted @ 16:57
post://90097942/
I called the guy who I bought the car from this morning. I tried a few other things, the first cylander is firing -- that's as far as I got. It doesn't appear to be getting fuel - I tried the "gas pressure valve" and all I got was air, no moisture. We didn't have a ratchet that was long enough for a spark plug, so I couldn't actually look at those, but I rigged up a screw driver to the spark plug to determine if it was firing ok. I got a spark, so it's ok up to the spark plugs. It's hard to go get the things I need when I don't have a car, myself.
I got a ride to work, started my new schedule early cause I'm a numbskull. January 4th was floating around in my head... and yet I had this Saturday pinned as when I was starting my new schedule, I didn't bother to check if the dates matched up ;)
It works out better for New Years, anyhow - so I'm happy.
My brother called me last night to say that I'm not being very smart getting myself into more issues by buying another old car when I have another on reserve. I have the Probe, but I don't really want to drive it in the salt and everything else. I really don't mind, I like the experience. I need to be able to determine what's wrong with a car, basic troubleshooting. I'll pay others to fix it, but I better know what's wrong before bringing it in there, the troubleshooting is where they can take you for a ride.
I'm going to give the local shop down the street a shot, see if he rips me off or breaks anything else. If it's too much of a bother, once my AAA kicks in I'll just have it towed back up to the garage in VT and get my money back. I have 30 Days to return it if I want. It might end up getting to that point, but it's a nice car -- a lot of miles, but a nice car -- I'd hate to have to go find another, too. I'm sure I could get a lot more car around here for $700, but on the other hand pretty much everything major has been replaced at this point, so taking good care of it should allow quite a bit more use.
posted @ 16:46
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Friday, December 27, 2002
post://90097930/
It was great on the ride home, but I went to start it up this morning and nothing. I gave up on work to try and get things squared away with the car. I got myself a AAA membership, 10 days until I can take advantage of it. I'm going to try and get someone to look at it ahead of time but unless I can wheel it down the street I'm going to have to pay for the towing.
posted @ 16:35
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Thursday, December 26, 2002
post://90097927/
I woke up early and went sledding with the kids. We went to the local hill, it was pretty good -- I was glad I brought up my snowtube, I look forward to using it at home, this was really the trial run of my first snowtube and I don't think I'll ever go back ;)
After sledding was bad news - the whole engine was gone on the tracer, it was probably going to be about $1000. We went to the garage just to straighten out the labor, disposal, etc. He actually had a few cars for sale, quoted $700 on a 92 Mercury Topaz. I started it right up, seemed to go fairly well. He had to fix some rust to bring it up to par for inspection so I had to wait around a while, but by 2pm I was on my way home.
posted @ 16:32
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Wednesday, December 25, 2002
post://90097907/
Christmas was good, most of the family was together - had a chance to play with the nieces and nephews. I didn't get anything too exciting, your basic family gifts. I got all handmade stuff from the young-uns, candles, chocolate, ornaments...
I went to leave in the afternoon, I started my car, had everything packed and was just letting it warm up a little when the engine quit. That was the last time it would start. We tried the little things, but I ended up having to get it towed to the local garage.
I accepted I was staying, sent an e-mail to work, and enjoyed the rest of the evening playing cars with my nephews.
posted @ 16:26
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Tuesday, December 24, 2002
post://90088776/
"Ooooh Barbie baby!"
Don't get Ho, Ho, Ho-rse this Xmas
New Porsche 911 GT3
Wonderful, I love it!
posted @ 17:26
post://90088762/
Blogger hasn't been working well, Mozilla made it all trip out and swallow some posts.
I have reverted to using IE and things seem to be going well, I added links from the past couple days - manual for now as it's kind of a rush job here =]
I'm on my way up to VT shortly for XMas.
My car is getting up there on eBay. I hope it sells, it'll make things easier... and it'll feel good to have it go to a good home. I really want someone to buy it who can appreciate all the little goodies it's got.
Merry Xmas to all... and may you not be freezing and in the snow instead of a nice warm bed on Xmas morning.
posted @ 16:23
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Sunday, December 22, 2002
post://90081960/
ack
Must... revert... to previous... browser.
[ added post-mortem ]
I never saw it... but I remember those white rocks.
Barbarian Wine and Cheese Society
posted @ 15:58
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Saturday, December 21, 2002
post://90081959/
ack!~
...mozilla, compatibility with blogger... fading...
[added post - date, hap-hazardly ]
Now we're talkin: home delivery.
Buy your very own tumbleweed on eBay!
run run as fast as you can, you can't catch me -- I'm a non-centrally located file-sharing service.
Surprise! Some school books have in-accurate data!
posted @ 15:57
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Friday, December 20, 2002
post://90088721/
Last minute gift ideas:
Novelty ATM receipts
Executive Style
Good Music
Government:
The Army thinks they can find a way around sleep...
Who slipped a micky into the Homeland Security Act?
posted @ 17:07
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Thursday, December 19, 2002
post://90088720/
Ok, I needent have worried - I went to Toys R Us and had my neices and nephews all set in no time. I got a tad hung up on the matchbox car stuff though. The playsets are so much cheaper then they were back in my day. A small set: $5, a large one: $12. The same gararge and car wash used to be $30+. It made the decision even easier, even allowing me to get them a pack of extra cars. For my neices: a lithography camera (4 camera lenses - takes a picture a split seccond after the next and puts all 4 images on one print - It's really cool). and a paint mixing set.
I was very happy with my purchases ^-^ I still have yet to get something for my mom... but I'm leaning towards a foot spa and a power flosser. I saw the ad on TV and had to try it, I hate to floss otherwise and I'll try anything to get away from that damned overrated twine. I got two, with my mom in mind. My Dad is all set, though I realized I got the wrong size pants. I won't get them before Xmas, I'm sure.
posted @ 17:06
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Wednesday, December 18, 2002
post://90088715/
Christmas shopping... cleaning... people... all on my mind.
I am running out of time to do what I want to do, realized I had less shopping done then I thought. The kids are the hardest to shop for. I want to get some great thing that'll make their eyes light up xmas morning. I want to get them something that I wanted when I was that age... matchbox car stuff at the top of the list for the boys, books and art supplies for the girls? .:sigh:. That's not fun!
I feel stressed, why? I guess because everyone does. They worry about not getting the gifts in time, then about people not liking the gifts, dealing with relatives, the travelling...
I'm not worried about getting things -- there will always be something to get.
I figure if they don't like it, tough -- I got stuff I didn't want when I was a kid, probably even more so now that I'm older.
The relatives -- no problem, I love my nieces and nephews and seeing my brother and sister. I'm still a little tense around them at first, just because I hardly ever see them. It doesn't take me long to warm up though.
I can't do much about the travelling. It's on a Wed, I have to work Thurs... but I almost like only going up for a night/day because there's less stress -- I'm not there long enough for my mother to start analyzing my life and/or actions, just long enough for her to be glad to see me =]
Ok... so that's where the stress comes from. I want snow. ^-^
posted @ 17:05
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Tuesday, December 17, 2002
post://90088707/
Nothing much fun goin on today:
MSN Party Tips
MSN Renter's Rights
Buy a CD between 1997 and 2000? You may be qualified for the settlement.
*follow-up* People who bought this...
Got that not so fresh feeling? Memory tricks!
posted @ 17:01
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Monday, December 16, 2002
post://90058713/
So I spent yesterday comparing the 2003 models of some cars that caught my eye.
Prices indicate "fully loaded" options
| Price $ | Engine | Turbo Yes/No | HP |
| Mazdaspeed Protoge | 20,000 | 2.0l 4Cyl | Yes | 176hp |
| Toyota Celica GTS | 23,000 | 1.8l 4 Cyl | No | n/a |
| Mitsubishi Eclipse | 24,000 | 3.0l 6 Cyl | No | 210hp |
Also: All these models have aggressive style OEM body kits available and included in the price above.
If anyone has info on VW or other models, send them to me.
posted @ 13:09
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Sunday, December 15, 2002
post://90055470/
As of tomarrow, 1pm PST.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=1874974035
2003 Protoge... here I come.
WORK!
posted @ 16:59
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Saturday, December 14, 2002
post://90051381/
Here is a link to a cool thing.
[02:40am]
Is Richard Prior dead?
posted @ 00:13
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Thursday, December 12, 2002
post://90045796/
Here's a sure-fire way to sound stupid trying to cut down anti-war arguments during the holiday.
Things I've learned in PA:
You're never too old for a hangover...
Don't eat the eggs, and staying away from the water probably wouldn't hurt either.
If you want to seduce someone, read them a bedtime story every day for a week -- you're in.
There is a direct correlation between how crazy someone is, and the quality of the sex.
If everyone's shitfaced... you're not all that drunk.
Believe your fortune cookie.
Friend's don't let friends knock on door # mediocre.
The man in leather does not clean the car.
If you have two people with long legs, don't sit them on the same side of the car.
Don't drive the highway in CT (that's not exactly PA, but I learned it on the way)
If someone holds up traffic by getting in an accident, they owe you... you know... .:wink, wink:.
TMI will happen wherever you are.
"Session" or "Sessionable" is a good euphemism for sex.
We're getting out earlier this evening, heading out to the mall to continue with the Xmas shopping.
I'm tired... only one more day. We're only working until 12 tomorrow, but it's a long drive back.
Give me another fillet mignon and I think I can hang in there...
posted @ 16:04
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Wednesday, December 11, 2002
post://90040396/
Monday night was a very nice day out with Nicole. There's no place with more Xmas spirit then the mall. ;) I find it interesting the renditions of classic xmas tunes that crop up every year. Everyone wants to elaborate on the timing and harmony, but it's usually horribly awful and only playing because it's "new xmas music". I picked up a few things for people, then went to my Mom's to drop off some presents. She offered to wrap them, I won't argue. Besides -- it keeps them in a central location so I can't possibly forget to bring them up to VT for Xmas.
I'm in PA as I type this -- on break from learning for a bit. There's a lot of complex steps in-between the sales people and the techs going out to do the actual install, we're making sure everything stays on track where it's supposed to. I think it's a bit more of my thing... having a set list of things to check - go through, make sure each order has all the codes it's supposed to. If it doesn't -- fix it, or send it to someone who can.
There's a big weather warning, ice storms and the like. It's started already, they've declared a warning, and people are freaking. I'm sure most want an excuse to go home, there's always something at home during the holidays. =]
posted @ 12:19
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Sunday, December 08, 2002
post://90028391/
After an exhausting weekend of preparing for sledding, napping, and partying... I am at work, with nothing on the agenda for tomorrow. I've got a business trip coming up on Tuesday, I get to go out to Wilksbarre PA again. I had a good time last time I went out, there's not much to do, but I'll be happy if I get to the mall to get some Xmas shopping done. I've done the majority of my purchases online thus far. It's much easier as I can be home when I'm shopping =]
I plan on playing video games this evening. There are many that I haven't sat down seriously with, so many that it's hard to choose. Between the 3 of us (Bill, Phil, and I) we have 4 racks of PS2 and XBox games. There's only a few repeats, too.
I've seen Contra & Bounty Hunter, played Shinobi for a bit... but the rest I've yet to even try. I'm hooked to MK, still unlocking characters and learning moves. My choice for 'long attention span' / 'best crowd appeal' is GTA: Vice City. I'm just starting to get past the driving around and running people over stage, actually getting some missions done. The story element only adds to the appeal, I love it.
posted @ 17:26
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Thursday, December 05, 2002
post://90018543/
Guide to Mac Gaming
Shakira Boobies
Amazon: customers who shopped for this item also shopped for... [ screen grab ]
Oh -- WE'VE GOT BIG DRIVES...
Interesting in a space-geek sort of way.
Walmart has a $199 Linux web-browser.
Missing toads spark drug probe.
Denmark anti-piracy group sends bills to users for copyrighted content with orders to delete all material.
posted @ 16:42
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Wednesday, December 04, 2002
post://90013351/
SUS! SUS! Graaaaaa!
Sometimes you just want to reach out and grab someone with a giant claw, bashing them to the ground repeatedly before sucking them into your robot chest, grinding them up, and spewing out pieces of their body... or maybe that's just me.
Too much Mortal Kombat? Nah, too much chatter from the dumb mouth. *pop*
This picture makes me happy.
It's from The Week In Pictures feature on MSN.
Whitney Houston: "I don't like to think of myself addicted. I like to think ... I had a bad habit ... which can be broken."
posted @ 13:24
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Tuesday, December 03, 2002
post://90006883/
This was actually something that I wanted to write quite some time ago, but kept forgetting:
Guys -- if you run into a lady friend that you know in Victoria Secret... don't say "hi". That is unless you're buying underwear for a really hot model and you want to make her jealous.
thedarkside.com/switch
The cars of James Bond.
Brittish release USAF report of UFO sighting from 1980.
You might not be able to afford Eminem's home, but how about a picture of a cat watching the auction of Eminem's home.
posted @ 01:38
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Monday, December 02, 2002
post://90005557/
The Psudo-WAP blog has been updated with a link to CNN AvantGo content.
The very best WTC proposals people could make using paintbrush.
The Top 10 stories from The Smoking Gun from Shift.com
A Catalog of gag machines from the 1930s.
See how the US compares in crime rates.
BBC made an interactive digital time capsule back in the 80s... only problem is that the machine used to access it is defunct.
Write words on cows, mix them up, watch as poetry unfolds before your eyes.
Mad scientists are getting way out of hand.
Has your Osama been laden recently?
“Walking On Fire”off the Nettwerk America release “Unnatural Selection”.
www.nettwerkamerica.com
posted @ 18:07
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Sunday, December 01, 2002
post://90001554/
Wow... the Brittish like us they really like us!
Try this fun toboggan game.
Lookin for that certain new hotness?
posted @ 18:05
post://90001396/
Scott moved out yesterday, I helped with the few heavy things. We took the shortcut through my room... otherwise it would have been down 2 flights up stairs, and up 3 more... which is what he'll be doing when he comes over. We're attached through the basement, and he'll still be hanging out on our side most of the time. It's interesting, and good to have friends in such abundance and close proximity.
The dorms open back up today, people coming home from vacation...
Thanksgiving seems to be an interesting college fun-fest. People go home for the holiday, hook up with the other people home for the holiday... and that's it, in most cases anyway. I know of at least 3 or 4 lucky people this Thanksgiving break... seemed contagious =]
There's the few who long for more, but in most cases they accept it as given... no one is the wiser because everyone's out of their usual element... they can regress for one evening, touch that familiarity. Then everyone's back to normal. It's an interesting phenomenon.
posted @ 17:05
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