In the interests of spending at least a little money, I decided to buy some books.
Specifically I bought the trade paperback collections of Ed Brubaker’s run on Catwoman, as well as a book titled (in the US, at least) Benighted, which was written by one of the regular commenters on Slacktivist. It doesn’t seem like it’s really my cup of tea, but everyone in the Slacktivist community who’s read it raves about it, and her comments are invariably cogent, insightful, and funny (I must confess to having a bit of a crush on her), so I figured I’d give it a shot.
(The UK title is Bareback, but that was deemed to have too many sexual connotations, which have nothing to do with the actual content of the book, in the US.)
So that was my big purchase with my refund money.
Oh, and a new computer.
Of course, technically I didn’t buy that with my refund money, as I charged it to my Dell account.
For those who are interested in that kind of thing, here are the specs:
Dell XPS 420
Windows Vista Ultimate with Digital Cable Support
2.4 GHz Intel Core 2 Quad-Core Processor
4GB Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM at 667MHz
500 GB Hard Drive
Blu-ray Disc Drive (BD/DVD/CD burner w/double layer BD write)
nVidia GeForce 8800 GT 512MB
ATI TV Wonder Digital Cable Tuner with Remote
Integrated Sound Blaster Audigy HD Software Edition
Plus, as an additional bit of pointless geekery, there’s a Windows SideShow display built into the tower.
I had originally intended to buy a system from HP. In fact, I had a saved configuration that had pretty much the same specs, with the major differences being that it had a slightly faster processor (2.66 GHz), an actual Audigy card, a 750 GB hard drive, and the HP’s Blu-ray burner could also read HD DVD. It also had a separate DVD ROM drive, as I prefer having two optical drives.
Of course, it was slightly more expensive than the Dell system.
The reason I didn’t buy the HP, though, is that between the time I configured a system and went to order it, HP stopped offering the ATI Digital Cable Tuner as an available option.
Why? I had no idea. I actually went so far as to initiate a live chat session with a sales associate to ask. His response to my question, “Why is the CableCARD tuner no longer an available option?” was to say “That is no longer an available option.”
Umm…no shit, Sherlock. Or, more accurately, no shit, Merlin, as he called himself.
When I asked again “Why not?” he told me that he couldn’t comment on it.
I did some digging online and discovered that this has actually been an issue with HP. Apparently for more than a year now they’ve been offering it, then not offering it, then offering it again, then not offering it, and so on.
In one case, someone bought a system with the digital tuner, had a problem, sent the system in for service, and got it back sans digital tuner and was told that the digital tuner was not an available option.
I had thought that it might be a problem of stock, but evidently HP keeps running into configuration issues with the digital tuner, which must be recurring.
I was still tempted to buy the HP system I’d configured, because I really liked the idea of having a high-definition DVD drive that could at least read both formats, but I ultimately decided that the digital tuner was a higher priority, and since I could always buy a multi-format drive and install it myself, but it’s nearly impossible to buy a digital tuner without also purchasing a full system, I opted for the Dell.
Why is the digital tuner so important? Well, I can contact Verizon and have them provide me a CableCARD for it that will essentially turn my computer into a Verizon set-top box, allowing me to watch and record HD content on my computer.
This means that, for example, when the new season of Shark starts, or if CBS starts airing reruns rather than running edited for network TV episodes of Dexter in its slot, I will be able to make my own HD screen caps of Danielle Panabaker, or make HD screen caps of some of the lovely ladies of HGTV.
Somewhere along the line – at this point, probably next year at tax/bonus time – I’ll buy a dedicated Media Center system with digital tuners that will allow me to replace my Verizon set-top box.
I haven’t ponied up the cash for the Cintiq yet, as I’m still considering Kathleen’s suggestion about registering Heroic Portraits as an LLC, allowing me to claim its purchase as a business expense on next year’s taxes.
In any case, the new system will become the new Hugin, leaving me to ponder the fate of the current Hugin. I ‘m inclined to turn the current Hugin into the new Munin – a role currently being filled by Gungnir, my Tablet PC – though that then leaves me to ponder the fate of the current Munin, which, having been robbed of its monitor, has been sitting unused in my closet for months.
Munin can’t pump out a suitable resolution to be used with my old 20.1” monitor, and I’m giving Munin’s 17” monitor to my mom, so even after I get the Cintiq, which will take over as Hugin’s second monitor, the current Munin will still be without a monitor. So really, the question is not “What about the current Hugin?” but rather “What about the current Munin?”
I’m not sure about that yet.
Of course, one (with my mom probably being said one) could say that the real question is “How many computers do you need?”I would suggest that such a question is akin to a Zen Koan, such as “What is the sound of one hand clapping?” It’s a question for which there is no answer, but the contemplation of which can possibly lead one closer to enlightenment.
After all, it was pointed out to me that I have a responsibility to spend money on cool gadgets, as it allows Scott to purchase expensive electronics vicariously through me. Do you really want me to let Scott down? For shame.
After I buy the Cintiq, the remaining amount of my windfall – which will be substantial – will be safely socked away in my high-yield savings to earn me interest, so I’m not being totally irresponsible with my finances.
In any case, I suppose I should attend to my exciting Friday evening plans…which consist entirely of finally getting around to watching the latest Netflix DVD that arrived in the mail last week.
(Hot Fuzz, for those of you wondering.)
Friday, March 14, 2008
$$$
So my state and federal tax refund money was there when I checked my account balance this morning.
That was three hours ago, yet I still haven't spent any of it.
Is that a new record for me?
That was three hours ago, yet I still haven't spent any of it.
Is that a new record for me?
Thursday, March 13, 2008
Damn The Torpedoes
Today was a long, busy day, full of scheduled and impromptu meetings and conference calls, and I was glad to see the end of it, particularly given that tomorrow is Friday.
On Wednesday my boss told me that I have to face the fact that I’m never going to get used to the whole five day work week thing. He has a point.
I mean, seriously, by Wednesday I’d put in three days: what more do they want from me?
What? Two more days? *Sigh* Okay…
After work today, on Kathleen’s invitation, I headed over to her bank, which was celebrating its grand opening in Leesburg today. The main draw? Free food.
When I got there, I found that that they were providing valet parking…and that Kathleen wasn’t there yet.
This was an issue because there were a lot of people – people I didn’t know – crowded into a very small space. So after getting my name tag and being greeted by the branch manager I went outside to call Kathleen and learned that she wasn’t too far away.
Back inside some guy saw me standing alone looking awkward and took pity on me, which was nice of him, but he wasn’t really the most dynamic conversationalist. Luckily Kathleen arrived shortly after that, and then proceeded to introduce me to a bunch of people who, while nice enough, clearly didn’t give two shits about who I was.
But whatever.
They had some sort of drawing in which people put their business cards in a bucket (Note to self: remember to talk to the admin about getting business cards), which Kathleen actually won. Apparently she’s been lucky in the “winning gift baskets” category of life lately, as she recently won a gift basket at one of her networking meetings.
Somewhere along the line the branch manager came and “borrowed” Kathleen to bring her to talk to some other people, and I went back to standing around awkwardly.
Eventually, after I’d taken out my cell phone to close some of the open applications, some other guy took pity on me and struck up a conversation based on the fact that we both had the same model of cell phone.
After he left, Kathleen made her way over and said that she wanted to do some more schmoozing, and I decided to head home.
And that was the day’s excitement.
(The Mayor of Leesburg was there. I had no idea that the Mayor was a woman, or really, any ideas about the Mayor at all, as I tend not to pay any attention to that sort of thing. I note that the Mayor was a woman not because I found it shocking, or that I fainted dead away after saying, “A woman Mayor? Now I’ve seen everything!” but rather because it brought to mind a line from the song God is in the House by Nick Cave: We have a pretty little square, we have a woman for a Mayor, our policy is firm but fair, now that God is in the house.)
In terms of the quality of the women in attendance at the event, feel it appropriate to quote the Sea Captain from The Simpsons: “Yarr, not a looker in the bunch.”
There was one woman there who was kind of sort of almost maybe attractive. She was definitely dressed to accentuate her best assets, or more appropriately, tittets, as she was wearing a very tight top that showcased her breasts, giving her these huge 1950’s style torpedo boobs. If I were any shorter she might have put one of my eyes out with those things.
However, while her top did wonders for that part of her, it also made her bulge in some unfortunate places.
I’m no good at guessing age, but I would estimate that she was at least a few years older than I am, and I think that I’d have to classify her as a cougar, a notion reinforced by a conversation I overheard her having with some other women who were encouraging her to pounce on some young prey she’s evidently been stalking.
Speaking of aging not-so gracefully, I realized that as of today my birthday is exactly a month away.
I wouldn’t normally care – it is a “pointless” age, after all, one of those in-between birthdays that isn’t any sort of milestone – but I’m a little more excited about my upcoming birthday, as this year my mom will be out for a visit. I’m looking forward to having her out here to see my house and meet my friends. I’d be even more excited if my dad were still around to come out with her, but I guess that’s just a birthday present that I’ll have to do without.
But speaking of birthday presents, if someone were of a mind to buy me something, I wouldn’t be averse to some of these, or maybe this, though of course, as always, I’m clearly not dropping birthday gift hints when I mention that Superman Family #171, the first comic book I remember ever looking at, is available for purchase at Mile High Comics (though the Very Fine copy is out of stock, which couldn’t possibly be because someone bought it for me thinking that I’ve been dropping hints to that effect), or that a case like this would be great to display it in.
In any case, the monstrosity that is the five day work week still needs to be completed, so bed time approaches, and I will bring this entry to a close.
On Wednesday my boss told me that I have to face the fact that I’m never going to get used to the whole five day work week thing. He has a point.
I mean, seriously, by Wednesday I’d put in three days: what more do they want from me?
What? Two more days? *Sigh* Okay…
After work today, on Kathleen’s invitation, I headed over to her bank, which was celebrating its grand opening in Leesburg today. The main draw? Free food.
When I got there, I found that that they were providing valet parking…and that Kathleen wasn’t there yet.
This was an issue because there were a lot of people – people I didn’t know – crowded into a very small space. So after getting my name tag and being greeted by the branch manager I went outside to call Kathleen and learned that she wasn’t too far away.
Back inside some guy saw me standing alone looking awkward and took pity on me, which was nice of him, but he wasn’t really the most dynamic conversationalist. Luckily Kathleen arrived shortly after that, and then proceeded to introduce me to a bunch of people who, while nice enough, clearly didn’t give two shits about who I was.
But whatever.
They had some sort of drawing in which people put their business cards in a bucket (Note to self: remember to talk to the admin about getting business cards), which Kathleen actually won. Apparently she’s been lucky in the “winning gift baskets” category of life lately, as she recently won a gift basket at one of her networking meetings.
Somewhere along the line the branch manager came and “borrowed” Kathleen to bring her to talk to some other people, and I went back to standing around awkwardly.
Eventually, after I’d taken out my cell phone to close some of the open applications, some other guy took pity on me and struck up a conversation based on the fact that we both had the same model of cell phone.
After he left, Kathleen made her way over and said that she wanted to do some more schmoozing, and I decided to head home.
And that was the day’s excitement.
(The Mayor of Leesburg was there. I had no idea that the Mayor was a woman, or really, any ideas about the Mayor at all, as I tend not to pay any attention to that sort of thing. I note that the Mayor was a woman not because I found it shocking, or that I fainted dead away after saying, “A woman Mayor? Now I’ve seen everything!” but rather because it brought to mind a line from the song God is in the House by Nick Cave: We have a pretty little square, we have a woman for a Mayor, our policy is firm but fair, now that God is in the house.)
In terms of the quality of the women in attendance at the event, feel it appropriate to quote the Sea Captain from The Simpsons: “Yarr, not a looker in the bunch.”
There was one woman there who was kind of sort of almost maybe attractive. She was definitely dressed to accentuate her best assets, or more appropriately, tittets, as she was wearing a very tight top that showcased her breasts, giving her these huge 1950’s style torpedo boobs. If I were any shorter she might have put one of my eyes out with those things.
However, while her top did wonders for that part of her, it also made her bulge in some unfortunate places.
I’m no good at guessing age, but I would estimate that she was at least a few years older than I am, and I think that I’d have to classify her as a cougar, a notion reinforced by a conversation I overheard her having with some other women who were encouraging her to pounce on some young prey she’s evidently been stalking.
Speaking of aging not-so gracefully, I realized that as of today my birthday is exactly a month away.
I wouldn’t normally care – it is a “pointless” age, after all, one of those in-between birthdays that isn’t any sort of milestone – but I’m a little more excited about my upcoming birthday, as this year my mom will be out for a visit. I’m looking forward to having her out here to see my house and meet my friends. I’d be even more excited if my dad were still around to come out with her, but I guess that’s just a birthday present that I’ll have to do without.
But speaking of birthday presents, if someone were of a mind to buy me something, I wouldn’t be averse to some of these, or maybe this, though of course, as always, I’m clearly not dropping birthday gift hints when I mention that Superman Family #171, the first comic book I remember ever looking at, is available for purchase at Mile High Comics (though the Very Fine copy is out of stock, which couldn’t possibly be because someone bought it for me thinking that I’ve been dropping hints to that effect), or that a case like this would be great to display it in.
In any case, the monstrosity that is the five day work week still needs to be completed, so bed time approaches, and I will bring this entry to a close.
Wednesday, March 12, 2008
Mac Vs. PC
These videos feature music created using the built-in sounds of Windows (98 and XP) and the Mac OS (not sure which version).
First, the Windows sounds:
And now the Mac sounds:
Personally, and I think I say this without bias, I think the Windows version is cooler, though that really has more to do with the amount of work put into it by the people who made the clips than anything else.
Is there a Linux version out there anywhere? (Too lazy to look for myself)
Found via Dvorak.org
First, the Windows sounds:
And now the Mac sounds:
Personally, and I think I say this without bias, I think the Windows version is cooler, though that really has more to do with the amount of work put into it by the people who made the clips than anything else.
Is there a Linux version out there anywhere? (Too lazy to look for myself)
Found via Dvorak.org
Rocket Man
I just learned that comicdom has lost yet another legendary talent.
Dave Stevens, most famous for his creation - and subject of a 1991 Disney movie - The Rocketeer.
He had a phenomenal talent that I admired - and envied - tremendously.
Mark Evanier has a great write-up over at his blog.
Dave Stevens, most famous for his creation - and subject of a 1991 Disney movie - The Rocketeer.
He had a phenomenal talent that I admired - and envied - tremendously.
Mark Evanier has a great write-up over at his blog.
Tuesday, March 11, 2008
Monday, March 10, 2008
Multiple Choice
(Instructions: Select one of the answers below the question that you think most closely resembles the truth.)
What did Jon do today?
a.
Roll out of bed around noon, careful not to disturb the still-sleeping European supermodels who are utterly spent from the previous night’s activities, make breakfast for said supermodels to build up their strength, then head back to the bedroom for another marathon session.
b.
Wake up in an alleyway in Istanbul with no recollection of how he got there, lead Turkish police and corrupt CIA agents on a thrilling rooftop chase, discover that he knows too much about a plot to stage a terrorist attack in the Midwest, make love to a beautiful American tourist who is ultimately revealed to be in on the plot, learn that his bedroom skills have made her switch sides, deliver proof of the plot to all of the major news outlets, become an international hero.
c.
Wake up at 3:30 in the morning, get up to pee, go back to bed, wake up again at 4:25, go back to sleep, wake up again at 5:44, get up to pee again, go back to sleep, wake up at 6:57, sigh, decide to get up, shower, dress, go to work, spend extremely long 8 hours at work, come home, sit around and do no much of anything, write up lame “multiple choice test” blog entry.
d.
All of the above.
e.
None of the above.
f.
Nobody cares.
What did Jon do today?
a.
Roll out of bed around noon, careful not to disturb the still-sleeping European supermodels who are utterly spent from the previous night’s activities, make breakfast for said supermodels to build up their strength, then head back to the bedroom for another marathon session.
b.
Wake up in an alleyway in Istanbul with no recollection of how he got there, lead Turkish police and corrupt CIA agents on a thrilling rooftop chase, discover that he knows too much about a plot to stage a terrorist attack in the Midwest, make love to a beautiful American tourist who is ultimately revealed to be in on the plot, learn that his bedroom skills have made her switch sides, deliver proof of the plot to all of the major news outlets, become an international hero.
c.
Wake up at 3:30 in the morning, get up to pee, go back to bed, wake up again at 4:25, go back to sleep, wake up again at 5:44, get up to pee again, go back to sleep, wake up at 6:57, sigh, decide to get up, shower, dress, go to work, spend extremely long 8 hours at work, come home, sit around and do no much of anything, write up lame “multiple choice test” blog entry.
d.
All of the above.
e.
None of the above.
f.
Nobody cares.
Sunday, March 09, 2008
If I Were A Pimp, I'd Have A Blue Tooth
Yesterday, lacking anything better to do, I ventured out into the world and stopped at Office Depot. I was looking for some sort of notepad/portfolio dealie for work, but while idly browsing computer peripherals, I found (and ended up buying) the Microsoft Wireless Entertainment Desktop 7000.
So far I like it. In particular I like the Vista-specific (and Media Center-specific) keys, though I am having trouble adjusting to not having a numeric keypad.
What’s cool is that the USB dongle that provides me with Bluetooth connectivity to the keyboard and mouse also provides general Bluetooth connectivity.
Of course, the only Bluetooth device I have is my cell phone, and the only thing my phone will do via the Bluetooth connection is run ActiveSync, which I don’t actually have installed on my main system.
Didn’t do much today, apart from the laundry.
I was supposed to go to a Pampered Chef party with Kathleen this afternoon. By the time she came to pick me up, the party was going to be over in less than an hour, and the address provided on the invitation didn’t appear to exist, and the actual driving directions for reaching that address didn’t actually lead to that address, so we said screw it and just decided to get something to eat.
She had to go grocery shopping afterwards, so I went with her, as I needed a few things. I was going to do the PeaPod thing on Friday, and had even gone through and selected my items with time to spare before the 6 PM cut-off point for Saturday delivery.
Of course, it didn’t matter, as apparently there are a limited number of delivery slots available and they were all taken.
Oh well.
Anyway, that’s pretty much been my weekend.
So far I like it. In particular I like the Vista-specific (and Media Center-specific) keys, though I am having trouble adjusting to not having a numeric keypad.
What’s cool is that the USB dongle that provides me with Bluetooth connectivity to the keyboard and mouse also provides general Bluetooth connectivity.
Of course, the only Bluetooth device I have is my cell phone, and the only thing my phone will do via the Bluetooth connection is run ActiveSync, which I don’t actually have installed on my main system.
Didn’t do much today, apart from the laundry.
I was supposed to go to a Pampered Chef party with Kathleen this afternoon. By the time she came to pick me up, the party was going to be over in less than an hour, and the address provided on the invitation didn’t appear to exist, and the actual driving directions for reaching that address didn’t actually lead to that address, so we said screw it and just decided to get something to eat.
She had to go grocery shopping afterwards, so I went with her, as I needed a few things. I was going to do the PeaPod thing on Friday, and had even gone through and selected my items with time to spare before the 6 PM cut-off point for Saturday delivery.
Of course, it didn’t matter, as apparently there are a limited number of delivery slots available and they were all taken.
Oh well.
Anyway, that’s pretty much been my weekend.
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