It wasn't until my new iPod shipped that the Check Engine Light came back on in my car. Wouldn't you know that it was about 3 minutes into an hour drive, with two hours of driving to be done later in the day. Killer. I'll get into why I think this is a conspiracy...C-O-N-Spiracy
First, what TV show is the title of this chapter a quote from? Give up?
In Living Color
As you all know, whether you're paranoid or not, someone is out to get you. In my case, I am paranoid but it doesn't help any. A short while ago I was telling you how I was torn between buying a new iPod to replace my failing iPod Mini and getting an OBDII tester to be able to perform diagnostics on my car. The Check Engine light was becoming an issue and I thought I should have a look-see.
After cleaning the gas cap, I hadn't seen the light come back on in a few weeks so I figured that meant I was in the clear. I pulled the trigger on the new iPod and patiently sat back awaiting its arrival. Wouldn't you know that once it shipped the light would come back on and stay on? And then the next day wouldn't you know my Mini would go off the blink?
I won't bore you with the details other than to say that the light has been on for half a tank, and I was driving to Albany (not Windsor) when it made its appearance. They aren't even the same direction, in fact they're quite the opposite.
So now I have the unfortunate dilemma of having to buy the scanner (or find someone at work with one) AND having to have a sweet new toy. Jeebus, you just like to watch me struggle with decisions only to punch me in the balls after I settle on a choice!Everywhere a TV
Not only do we have a TV in our cafeteria at work, but something wicked exciting was happening and I had to sit there not watching. Jeebus, I saw you through the window, don't think I don't know you were checking on me.
What you weren't expecting is that DA would stroll in right when everyone was saying "Oh wow, look at that!" and I was facing the complete other direction. I'm sure she thought I was staring at her, but I was really just not looking at the TV. I'd go explain myself to her but her henchman, CB, would probably get in my way. CB, she's not interested in you pal. Sorry.It's Here!
Nope, not the House of Pain CD, but that has been shipped. The woman was wicked apologetic, and even used the word 'wicked' in her apology. Bonus points? I think so. No, actually the new 80 GB iPod was in my mailbox when I got home today. Cha-ching.
I just finished syncing it up with all 15 GB of music on my PC. I even ripped a chunk of a movie to put on there, plus I tossed in some pics. Let's see, that leaves 65 gig left. I better start keeping tabs on that mess before I fill it up :-)
Actually, I'm hooking up some chill background music as I type. I found some nice podcasts that I'll keep up-to-date, and I'll be a-chillin all the time. And all for free. Hey Oh!
That reminds me. If anyone out there in Readerland knows of any good podcasts (you should have an idea of what I like), holler at a player. Then holler at me.
Over and Out,
Old Coot
Monday, March 19, 2007
Conspiracy Theory
Friday, March 16, 2007
House of Pain Update
I have news!Sometimes You Gotta Kick Some Ass
Well Coot fans, I was supposed to have received my House of Pain CD as of Wednesday. As you know, when they tell you how long it'll take to ship something, it NEVER takes that long. So when I didn't receive my CD after 3 weeks I went to Amazon's site and sent a message to the person I bought it from.
I received no reply.
Today I sent another message and stated very simply that I want this CD, and I don't care if they forgot to send it just tell me. If I didn't hear back by the morning I was getting Amazon involved and getting my money back. It's like $7 with shipping, but it's really the principle of the matter.
Sho nuff I got a message back from the lady. It turns out that she sent accidentally sent it to the wrong person. Why I didn't get theirs I don't know but I'm going to accept her story. I gave her my address again and she's going to re-send it. Assuming all goes well, I should have it in my clutches next week, just in time to upload to my NEW IPOD!
A quick number crunch tells me that:
... repeating, of course.
Happy St. Patrick's Day, everyone!
Over and Out,
Old Coot
Get the Whole Story Here...
Thursday, March 08, 2007
On the Blink
Wouldn't you know that one of the few gadgets I've ever bought, and the one that brings me the most joy, is on the blink.Up, Down but not Left, Right or Backwards in Time
As I climbed into the Lesbaru last night, I fired up the 4-banger and plugged in my iPod. The song playing was a good one and I wanted to start it over, so I pressed back on the wheel doohickey. It paused.
"Damn these gloves" I shouted, then I unpaused it and pressed the left button again.
It paused again. "Damn it" I again shouted at the piece of modern gadgetry, and I angrily removed my gloves, pressing the left button with that attitude you usually reserve for the Enter button on your keyboard. "There!"
It paused. "What the fuck!" I yelled, realizing that it wasn't the glove that was the problem, but the left button. The damn thing is screwed up. It doesn't have the same feel as the other buttons, and it certainly doesn't work. Being a hardware guy by trade, I'm normally quick to blame the software when anything goes wrong. This time it was clear that the hardware, AKA the iPod itself, was to blame.
Sensing that I might need to replace my beloved toy in the very near future, I checked out iPods online and decided I was going to need a game plan and a good exit strategy.The Plan AKA Phase I
Here's my plan. I'm going to marinate on this plan for a few days before I start moving on it, as it's going to run me a couple of dollars. The first step will be to buy an 80Gb real iPod, color to be determined (but leaning toward black). With that, I'll be able to store all of my current music and have plenty of room for new music and/or videos. In fact, it'll have more storage than my laptop so for the time it will be impossible to fill it up.
Note that Dani California by The Red Hot Chili Peppers (Stadium Arcadium) is playing. I love that song.The Exit Strategy AKA Phase II
The second phase of my grand strategery (thank you, Mr. Bush) is to be ready and waiting for my current iPod to fail completely, then run out and buy one of those little square Shuffles (color also to be determined, but leaning toward green). This would be used solely for running and other excercisical activities, sparing the good one of any unnecessary abuse. This plan seems pretty foolproof, and it lets me get the full life out of my current iPod before setting it in a box for posterity.
Note: I don't know what song is playing.
Over and Out,
Old Coot
