Both Shell and Exxon posted record profits for the last quarter, but today our stocks got thrashed. Why? Here's a great explanation of the dilemma we now find ourselves in.
Wednesday, July 30, 2008
Dilemma (feat. Shell/Exxon)
Both Shell and Exxon posted record profits for the last quarter, but today our stocks got thrashed. Why? Here's a great explanation of the dilemma we now find ourselves in.
Truck Rehab: Step 1
So while I wait for the new exhaust system to arrive, it's time to install new door speakers. I picked out Alpine Type-S full range speakers (6x9 and 6.5") that have pivoting tweeters. If you need some car speakers, these things are incredible, and right now they are half-off at Crutchfield.
Speaker installs are pretty straight forward - take off door, take out old speaker, put new speaker in, put door back on, and listen to your tunes. I didn't realize this until my first car stereo project, but car interiors are put together like Legos. Taking the door panels off on the Dodge takes 3 minutes tops.
Here's a pic of the old speakers:
Next the empty speaker hole, which this time around I lined with weatherstrip (the kind you use around your doors) to make sure that there were no rattles:
And lastly the new speakers installed, wires neatly tucked behind inside the door:
My tip - always double check the clearance between the back of the speaker and the window. This includes the wires. I once installed a set of speakers, put everything back together, then rolled down the window only to hear a hideous scrape as the window ripped the wires from the back of the speaker.
Speaker installs are pretty straight forward - take off door, take out old speaker, put new speaker in, put door back on, and listen to your tunes. I didn't realize this until my first car stereo project, but car interiors are put together like Legos. Taking the door panels off on the Dodge takes 3 minutes tops.
Here's a pic of the old speakers:
Next the empty speaker hole, which this time around I lined with weatherstrip (the kind you use around your doors) to make sure that there were no rattles:
And lastly the new speakers installed, wires neatly tucked behind inside the door:
My tip - always double check the clearance between the back of the speaker and the window. This includes the wires. I once installed a set of speakers, put everything back together, then rolled down the window only to hear a hideous scrape as the window ripped the wires from the back of the speaker.
Ink on your face
Here's your free computer tip of the day:
Notice how ink-jet printers seem to cost almost nothing? You can get an entry level one for $30 and a nice all-in-one for less than $75. Why you ask? Because they gouge your eyes out with the cost of ink. My new Epson CX8400 came with HALF-FULL ink cartridges, that lasted less than 100 pages of printing. New cartridges are from Epson are $19.99 each. Unless....
There are a couple options for getting new ink for your printer:
1) Buy the name-brand stuff and eat nothing but rice for the following month
2) Buy the gray-market stuff (Amazon) that is "compatible"
3) Or refill your cartridges using a syringe (you can buy kits online, or stores like Walgreens will do it for you).
Methods 2 & 3 will save you a bunch of money. Another tip - if you only print black and white you should consider a Laser Jet Printer. Their toner often gives you more pages than ink-jet printers.
If you have an ink-jet and only want to print black and white, you can adjust the default settings to do so, or switch out the micro-chips on the ink cartridges. Place the color micro-chip on a new black cartridge and BAM, you're printing in B&W in no time....
Notice how ink-jet printers seem to cost almost nothing? You can get an entry level one for $30 and a nice all-in-one for less than $75. Why you ask? Because they gouge your eyes out with the cost of ink. My new Epson CX8400 came with HALF-FULL ink cartridges, that lasted less than 100 pages of printing. New cartridges are from Epson are $19.99 each. Unless....
There are a couple options for getting new ink for your printer:
1) Buy the name-brand stuff and eat nothing but rice for the following month
2) Buy the gray-market stuff (Amazon) that is "compatible"
3) Or refill your cartridges using a syringe (you can buy kits online, or stores like Walgreens will do it for you).
Methods 2 & 3 will save you a bunch of money. Another tip - if you only print black and white you should consider a Laser Jet Printer. Their toner often gives you more pages than ink-jet printers.
If you have an ink-jet and only want to print black and white, you can adjust the default settings to do so, or switch out the micro-chips on the ink cartridges. Place the color micro-chip on a new black cartridge and BAM, you're printing in B&W in no time....
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
Homeless Gauntlet
I made a run through the Homeless Gauntlet today (no it's not some wacky new reality show, but it could be, and no it has no relation to the MTV Gauntlet, although those participants are most likely homeless too). This gauntlet was encountered on my way from the office to the parking garage in downtown (this was not my first brush with the homeless).I have created an illustration for your viewing enjoyment.
Let me explain how this perfect storm of homelessness happened. I decided that on my way home from work that I would cut through the library courtyard, then across the City Hall reflection pond, and then traverse the park under which my vehicle was parked. Bad moves all around.
Passing through the library courtyard, first was the long-range panhandler, or LRP. LRPs asks for change while seated at a distance greater than 50 yards. I give him the obligatory "no thanks, sorry" wave, and he unleashes a torrent of indecipherable profanity while explaining how I don't understand. It's not that I don't understand, it's that I can't even hear what he is saying. You're just too far away to make me feel uncomfortable, so I keep going...
As I pass through the library courtyard I feel the eyes of all of them looking at me and my tucked-in shirt. I'm not sure what to do. Just keep moving. Keep moving.
Finally across the library property, I pause at the cross-walk with a young lady. As we both wait for the traffic to pass, I notice that she is looking at me. So I glance her way and didn't notice anything out of the ordinary - normal clothes, hair, etc.. But then, she cracks a smile. We will just call her "Teeth but no Teeth".
Now lightly jogging across the park in front of city hall, up ahead lies a man feeding the pigeons. I gently cirsumvent (look it up, or even better listen to #20) the situation but manage to scare the pigeons off. This elicited a cackle from the man feeding the birds, and I have to say he kind of resembled a bird. Let's call him "The Penguin". I think the birds returned, but maybe they didn't and I feel socially responsible.
Getting across the last park is the last step. Everyone is asleep like lions in a den, but one misplaced step, crack of the twig, or swoosh of the pants will awaken them. I am now in the homestretch, and as I wind the blind corner and dive into the stairwell I come across the last of the sleeping lions. Stepping around his bags I make a clean break for my car. I hope to see all my new friends tomorrow.
Let me explain how this perfect storm of homelessness happened. I decided that on my way home from work that I would cut through the library courtyard, then across the City Hall reflection pond, and then traverse the park under which my vehicle was parked. Bad moves all around.
Passing through the library courtyard, first was the long-range panhandler, or LRP. LRPs asks for change while seated at a distance greater than 50 yards. I give him the obligatory "no thanks, sorry" wave, and he unleashes a torrent of indecipherable profanity while explaining how I don't understand. It's not that I don't understand, it's that I can't even hear what he is saying. You're just too far away to make me feel uncomfortable, so I keep going...
As I pass through the library courtyard I feel the eyes of all of them looking at me and my tucked-in shirt. I'm not sure what to do. Just keep moving. Keep moving.
Finally across the library property, I pause at the cross-walk with a young lady. As we both wait for the traffic to pass, I notice that she is looking at me. So I glance her way and didn't notice anything out of the ordinary - normal clothes, hair, etc.. But then, she cracks a smile. We will just call her "Teeth but no Teeth".
Now lightly jogging across the park in front of city hall, up ahead lies a man feeding the pigeons. I gently cirsumvent (look it up, or even better listen to #20) the situation but manage to scare the pigeons off. This elicited a cackle from the man feeding the birds, and I have to say he kind of resembled a bird. Let's call him "The Penguin". I think the birds returned, but maybe they didn't and I feel socially responsible.
Getting across the last park is the last step. Everyone is asleep like lions in a den, but one misplaced step, crack of the twig, or swoosh of the pants will awaken them. I am now in the homestretch, and as I wind the blind corner and dive into the stairwell I come across the last of the sleeping lions. Stepping around his bags I make a clean break for my car. I hope to see all my new friends tomorrow.
Monday, July 28, 2008
Wall of Shame
Stumbled upon this web-gem while perusing the news feeds. It's the Nassau County DUI Wall of Shame! These pics are incredible. My favorite is Tamas (pictured) with Spenser (also pictured) coming in a close second.
I know you're out there...
I have been feeling a little lonely on the blog - 3 comments this past month - so I checked my page hits on Analytics....bam....2K hits since July 1st. So you're reading, but afraid to comment for fear of associating yourself with my writings. I don't blame you.
BTW, I have continued to incorporate "bam" into my everyday speech and writing.
BTW, I have continued to incorporate "bam" into my everyday speech and writing.
DVR Picks - Oasis in the Desert Edition
You know your Tivo is running lean when you get excited that a new Antiques Road Show has been recorded - "Please, please be in HD! Please, I need to see people excited or disappointed in the value of their personal items in full HD....please.....come on.....dangit!!! 420p......
As an aside, next time The Roadshow (as I call it - when you've seen enough episodes you can call it "The Roadshow", it's a write of passage for young males in the US)...anyway, next time they film in Houston, I am buying a vase at Garden Ridge , walking behind their camera while they are filming a scene, then slip/trip/stumble and bobble the vase until it comes crashing to the ground, and then proclaim "Mam-Maw, Mam-Maw, I knew I shouldn't have taken you out of your jar! I just wanted to see how much it was worth! WHYYYYYYY!!!! WHHHHHHYYYYYY Mam-Maw...."
Since there is nothing on TV, I have set the Tivos to record any HD movies. Last night it picked up Man on Fire, which is very re-watchable. Ever notice how it parallels Gladiator? Girl stolen from man, man wounded mortally but must avenge girl, man must sacrifice himself even when he doesn't have to, man just wants to get to the afterlife, man convinces Ethan Hawke to smoke a controlled substance...wait....what?
As an aside, next time The Roadshow (as I call it - when you've seen enough episodes you can call it "The Roadshow", it's a write of passage for young males in the US)...anyway, next time they film in Houston, I am buying a vase at Garden Ridge , walking behind their camera while they are filming a scene, then slip/trip/stumble and bobble the vase until it comes crashing to the ground, and then proclaim "Mam-Maw, Mam-Maw, I knew I shouldn't have taken you out of your jar! I just wanted to see how much it was worth! WHYYYYYYY!!!! WHHHHHHYYYYYY Mam-Maw...."
Since there is nothing on TV, I have set the Tivos to record any HD movies. Last night it picked up Man on Fire, which is very re-watchable. Ever notice how it parallels Gladiator? Girl stolen from man, man wounded mortally but must avenge girl, man must sacrifice himself even when he doesn't have to, man just wants to get to the afterlife, man convinces Ethan Hawke to smoke a controlled substance...wait....what?
Truck Rehab
So I have slowly come to realize that the exhaust I put on my truck is about 100db to loud, and the vibrations are such that the speakers I installed have slowly come apart, sounding like a rattle snake den in each of my front doors. How to solve this? Buy another exhaust system!
So, using the magic of eBay, I will turn my Flowmaster 50HD Muscle Truck side exhaust system into an MBRP full-length system and hopefully curtail the violent exhaust note that plagues the interior of my ride like a banshee. First, order the new system on eBay, then sell the old system on eBay for a similar price. I am also pulling this trick with my old door speakers and buying new ones as well. Will update the post later when/if my old gear sells. Last time my gear had actually appreciated.
Note to self - next time you put in a custom audio system in your car, don't install an exhaust system that drowns out the music. Counter-productive....
So, using the magic of eBay, I will turn my Flowmaster 50HD Muscle Truck side exhaust system into an MBRP full-length system and hopefully curtail the violent exhaust note that plagues the interior of my ride like a banshee. First, order the new system on eBay, then sell the old system on eBay for a similar price. I am also pulling this trick with my old door speakers and buying new ones as well. Will update the post later when/if my old gear sells. Last time my gear had actually appreciated.
Note to self - next time you put in a custom audio system in your car, don't install an exhaust system that drowns out the music. Counter-productive....
Baby Advice
Best baby advice I have gotten to date - pack a cooler with beer and keep it in the truck of your car so after the baby is born you can go relax in the parking garage and have a cold one. Awesome.
Conspicuous Consumption
I'll be the first to admit that my Dodge Ram truck doesn't get the best fuel economy - I am that guy with the $90+ gas bill that's left on the pump screen when you pull up in your car and think, "Wow, $93.51! It only costs me $72.13 to fill up my car....poor guy with a truck". I did love the reactions that $3.55 gas received while we were in Victoria - people were amazed, like finding manna on the ground, such is $3.55 gas.
Being in Texas (and America in general), I can get away with a big truck since it has been our lifestyle for 50 years. But, my international co-workers love to stick it to me. Pity the truck owner whose full-size behemoth is flanked by a Z3 and and 911 at the restaurant's valet. Not to mention when the exhaust starts up and all 5.7L rumble out onto the ground in cacophony of gas fumes and carbon footprint. I am just making up for the rest of you who have decided to slack off on your daily carbon deposits.
Doing some quick math, it only makes sense to buy a new fuel efficient car (i.e. Civic, Focus) if gas reaches $5.00 (which it will likely not as summer is winding down). The truck is paid off and gets 15 City / 18 highway. I did some recent mods to help out the fuel efficiency, and I have a couple more planned...
Being in Texas (and America in general), I can get away with a big truck since it has been our lifestyle for 50 years. But, my international co-workers love to stick it to me. Pity the truck owner whose full-size behemoth is flanked by a Z3 and and 911 at the restaurant's valet. Not to mention when the exhaust starts up and all 5.7L rumble out onto the ground in cacophony of gas fumes and carbon footprint. I am just making up for the rest of you who have decided to slack off on your daily carbon deposits.
Doing some quick math, it only makes sense to buy a new fuel efficient car (i.e. Civic, Focus) if gas reaches $5.00 (which it will likely not as summer is winding down). The truck is paid off and gets 15 City / 18 highway. I did some recent mods to help out the fuel efficiency, and I have a couple more planned...
Thursday, July 17, 2008
This is a strong blog
We all know car dealers use some slight of hand tactics to separate you from your money when it comes time to buy a car (I like to think that I am immune, but it has probably happened to me). But it is a bit different when a kid from your old church sends you a form letter spewing a half-truth trying to get me into some new debt:
"Dear Lee,
I was just reviewing your records and noticed that your Xterra has almost 36,000 miles on it.
Are you interested in selling your Xterra? If so, there is a strong used car market and we may be able to give you more than you would expect.
Should you choose to purchase another vehicle from Baker Jackson Nissan South, we have many new models to choose from.
Thank you and I look forward to hearing from you.
Respectfully,
Brad Baker
Sales Manager
Baker Jackson Nissan South"
Strong market for my used SUV? If we are talking it's value as scrap metal maybe so. This just in: Nissan is having a strong quarter...
"Dear Lee,
I was just reviewing your records and noticed that your Xterra has almost 36,000 miles on it.
Are you interested in selling your Xterra? If so, there is a strong used car market and we may be able to give you more than you would expect.
Should you choose to purchase another vehicle from Baker Jackson Nissan South, we have many new models to choose from.
Thank you and I look forward to hearing from you.
Respectfully,
Brad Baker
Sales Manager
Baker Jackson Nissan South"
Strong market for my used SUV? If we are talking it's value as scrap metal maybe so. This just in: Nissan is having a strong quarter...
Saturday, July 12, 2008
2.0 Software
Welcome to the iPhone 2.0 live blog - I'm going to go step by step as I upload the new software and apps.
Ok, I waited until the initial rush was over to get the iPhone 2.0 software loaded on my phone. It appears that my strategery has worked - it took me 1 hour to install 2.0 - no issues so far. I also didn't rush out to ATT to buy the new iPhone as I was waiting for the 2.0 software to become available and test it's features - 2.0 upgrade is free...
Don't despair if you have the old iPhone as I do, and wish you had waited for the new one. Here's some reasons why I am not yet upgrading.....
Reason's why the original iPhone is fine with me:
- My web browsing speed is just fine - the sites I spend my time on have very few pics/graphics, and they load fast over the old Edge network. They could always load faster, so this is the only reason I would upgrade...
- I don't need GPS - I know where I am going, but if I need help the original iPhone's map and faux-GPS are just fine
- The new iPhone plane is $15+ more a month including an SMS bundle
-The iPhone 2.0 software is available for free, no need for a new phone...
Ok, so I have 2.0 installed and here's the review:
First let's go to the Apps Store - AHHHHHH! There are too many apps! Guitar Tuner, Remote Control emulator, eBay, MLB, MONKEYBALL....yes, MONKEYBALL!!!!! (I don't know what Monkeyball is) and each one has it's own Applized icon....my mind is blown. I need to get some Advil. Be right back.
Alright, I'm back - I'm going to start with the key apps I need - eBay and PayPal - and go from there.
The first test - do these Apps speed up my normal experience on eBay and Paypal? Normal ebay page takes 15 seconds on EDGE - but the new App is blazing fast. Loads lists of items in mere seconds, but it missing some functionality. Since this is v1.0, I'll let it slide. PayPal is the same way. Viewing my balance once took 3 web pages and 60 seconds, but now it takes less than 5 seconds.
So my initial verdict is that the original iPhone is just fine now that 2.0 software is loaded. Sure I'm missing some location-aware GPS apps, but other than that I am fine. Plus the original phone will be somewhat of a rarity, and you'll be the early adopter of a product that will be as ubiquitous as the iPod itself. Now on to Monkeyball...
Ok, I waited until the initial rush was over to get the iPhone 2.0 software loaded on my phone. It appears that my strategery has worked - it took me 1 hour to install 2.0 - no issues so far. I also didn't rush out to ATT to buy the new iPhone as I was waiting for the 2.0 software to become available and test it's features - 2.0 upgrade is free...
Don't despair if you have the old iPhone as I do, and wish you had waited for the new one. Here's some reasons why I am not yet upgrading.....
Reason's why the original iPhone is fine with me:
- My web browsing speed is just fine - the sites I spend my time on have very few pics/graphics, and they load fast over the old Edge network. They could always load faster, so this is the only reason I would upgrade...
- I don't need GPS - I know where I am going, but if I need help the original iPhone's map and faux-GPS are just fine
- The new iPhone plane is $15+ more a month including an SMS bundle
-The iPhone 2.0 software is available for free, no need for a new phone...
Ok, so I have 2.0 installed and here's the review:
First let's go to the Apps Store - AHHHHHH! There are too many apps! Guitar Tuner, Remote Control emulator, eBay, MLB, MONKEYBALL....yes, MONKEYBALL!!!!! (I don't know what Monkeyball is) and each one has it's own Applized icon....my mind is blown. I need to get some Advil. Be right back.
Alright, I'm back - I'm going to start with the key apps I need - eBay and PayPal - and go from there.
The first test - do these Apps speed up my normal experience on eBay and Paypal? Normal ebay page takes 15 seconds on EDGE - but the new App is blazing fast. Loads lists of items in mere seconds, but it missing some functionality. Since this is v1.0, I'll let it slide. PayPal is the same way. Viewing my balance once took 3 web pages and 60 seconds, but now it takes less than 5 seconds.
So my initial verdict is that the original iPhone is just fine now that 2.0 software is loaded. Sure I'm missing some location-aware GPS apps, but other than that I am fine. Plus the original phone will be somewhat of a rarity, and you'll be the early adopter of a product that will be as ubiquitous as the iPod itself. Now on to Monkeyball...
A true American
When people across the pond think of Americans, do you suppose this guy comes to mind? I found this picture in CNN's coverage of the iPhone 3G release
Exhibit A - Yankees hat...wait, this just in, it's a VISOR...a Yankees VISOR everyone...wow, what a stunning moment
Exhibit B - Jon Bon Jovi concert t-shirt - this tells us two things - that he likes Bon Jovi, and that he is from New Jersey (or he spent 4+ hours there for the concert - either way he is from Jersey)
Exhibit C - unbridled enthusiasm for commercialism as demonstrated by the iPhone being held up high as an object of worship, although his face is not as enthusiastic as I initially thought. If you look close, into his eyes, you see that voice in his head is saying "I'm not really sure how much I just spent" or perhaps "my girlfriend Tina is going to be upset that I blew our Bon Jovi fan club membership dues on this iPhone"....
Thursday, July 10, 2008
The second coming...
I smirked a bit when I saw today's Consumerist iPhone post - the second coming indeed....
Sunday, July 6, 2008
OxyMoron?
Just saw a guy outside with a LiveStrong bracelet smoking a cigarette. Isn't that like wearing a WWJD bracelet in a strip club?
Friday, July 4, 2008
Amazon $5 MP3 Albums
Amazon has weekly specials on MP3 albums ($4-$8 each) that download directly to iTunes or Windows Media player to be burned to CDs or put onto your iPod.
I recently purchased Cold Play and Feist albums both for less than $5 each using Amazon. This is a great example of how digital downloads are going to fully replace digital media in the near future. Why waste all that money making and distributing CDs when you can make them available online for a fair price and still make profit?
Same goes for Blu-Ray DVD - I can download HD movies for less than Blu-Ray. True they don't come with a cool jacket or disc to show my friends, but they are a fraction of the price and give me the same HD movie.
(Yes, iTunes has been doing this for sometime, but combining this approach with a largely discounted price as compared to CD/DVD media is truly a Amazon trait)
Event though CDs/DVDs have incredible profit margins, digital downloads should become the most profitable form of media delivery since they lack physical packaging and shipping/delivery mechanisms - even if they sell for half as much....
I recently purchased Cold Play and Feist albums both for less than $5 each using Amazon. This is a great example of how digital downloads are going to fully replace digital media in the near future. Why waste all that money making and distributing CDs when you can make them available online for a fair price and still make profit?
Same goes for Blu-Ray DVD - I can download HD movies for less than Blu-Ray. True they don't come with a cool jacket or disc to show my friends, but they are a fraction of the price and give me the same HD movie.
(Yes, iTunes has been doing this for sometime, but combining this approach with a largely discounted price as compared to CD/DVD media is truly a Amazon trait)
Event though CDs/DVDs have incredible profit margins, digital downloads should become the most profitable form of media delivery since they lack physical packaging and shipping/delivery mechanisms - even if they sell for half as much....
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The Attic
Warning - this will be boring if you're not a homeowner. Just letting you know. With the baby on the way and Susan working from home, we now keep the house a cool 75 degrees during the day, but our upstairs has not been very cooperative. Lately it has been only able to cool to 79 during the peak heat of the day (usually 95 degrees outside), so I've been forced to take some measures to keep things cool. My first thought - the AC needs to be charged or cleaned, but after speaking with my father I found the best place to start is attic ventilation.
There's a couple things going on here - first, you need to have enough ventilation that air moves through the attic and keeps it cool. This prevents hot air from leaking into your home and thwarting your AC. Now it's time for some Beakman's World up in here....
Through convection (basically hot air rising), air flows through the soffit vents on the underside of the roof and up through the turbine, square, or ridge vents on the top of the roof. If either the top or bottom doesn't have the right amount of flow, then you're attic becomes hotter than normal.
Ok, so how do you tell if your attic has enough ventilation? Use this simple calculator to find out how much intake/exhaust ventilation you need, and which vents you should add. If you need a roofer, I just used Technology Contractors (Houston) who charged me $200 to install 3 turbine vents (I provided the turbine vents from Home Depot for just $36 each)
Result - we are now at 75 degrees all day long - we are expending the same energy as before, but now we get to enjoy it. Only problem is that the AC never shuts off, meaning that it is barely keeping pace at 75. So, here are the next options:
1) Insulation - make sure the attic is properly insulated, including the attic door. Insulation comes in rolls or in "blow-in" cotton-candy style packages that you can distribute yourself (use a mask) to help fill any gaps.
2) Radiant barrier - this is basically a foil sheet or spray on lining that can be applied to the underside of your roof to help block the radiant heat from the sun and keeps things even more cool in the attic. I am installing this soon and will report back.
3) Have your A/C checked - I have heard this both ways - yes, have your A/C checked every year, and then I have heard no, only if it breaks. So I am going with a compromise - if the A/C ever begins to under perform it's normal benchmark I will call for service. Otherwise, it will ride as is.
There you go - boring if you don't own a home, and probably boring if you do own a home. But hey, I'm not sweating it...(sweet pun intended).
There's a couple things going on here - first, you need to have enough ventilation that air moves through the attic and keeps it cool. This prevents hot air from leaking into your home and thwarting your AC. Now it's time for some Beakman's World up in here....
Through convection (basically hot air rising), air flows through the soffit vents on the underside of the roof and up through the turbine, square, or ridge vents on the top of the roof. If either the top or bottom doesn't have the right amount of flow, then you're attic becomes hotter than normal.
Ok, so how do you tell if your attic has enough ventilation? Use this simple calculator to find out how much intake/exhaust ventilation you need, and which vents you should add. If you need a roofer, I just used Technology Contractors (Houston) who charged me $200 to install 3 turbine vents (I provided the turbine vents from Home Depot for just $36 each)
Result - we are now at 75 degrees all day long - we are expending the same energy as before, but now we get to enjoy it. Only problem is that the AC never shuts off, meaning that it is barely keeping pace at 75. So, here are the next options:
1) Insulation - make sure the attic is properly insulated, including the attic door. Insulation comes in rolls or in "blow-in" cotton-candy style packages that you can distribute yourself (use a mask) to help fill any gaps.
2) Radiant barrier - this is basically a foil sheet or spray on lining that can be applied to the underside of your roof to help block the radiant heat from the sun and keeps things even more cool in the attic. I am installing this soon and will report back.
3) Have your A/C checked - I have heard this both ways - yes, have your A/C checked every year, and then I have heard no, only if it breaks. So I am going with a compromise - if the A/C ever begins to under perform it's normal benchmark I will call for service. Otherwise, it will ride as is.
There you go - boring if you don't own a home, and probably boring if you do own a home. But hey, I'm not sweating it...(sweet pun intended).
Thursday, July 3, 2008
Random things I'm a fan of...
Bill Simmons - Patin introduced me to the Sport's Guys' column about 6 years ago, and it's become my lunchtime reading ever since. I'm also addicted to the podcasts that started last year - he does 2 a week. Basically, Bill blends sports and pop culture together and surrounds himself with people who know their stuff and don't take themselves too seriously.
Wired Magazine - I cashed in all my airline miles for magazines a couple months back (should have spaced it out, as I know have 5 subscriptions including ESPN, MotorTrend, Road&Track, BusinessWeek, and Wired and trying to read them all is overwhelming). Wired really captures the culture we're in today - a blend of the highly technical, everyday convenience, and bleeding edge ideas for the next big things.
Kenneth Cole - the shoes and watches are great and you can find them at Ross....which leads me to...
Ross - If I ever need a dress shirt, belt, or watch I go to Ross. It's like a garage sale, but with less order and more screaming children, but you can find some serious deals. Or as it was once said, it's Rossome...
Old episodes of King of the Hill - anything from 2000 or earlier is classic stuff. If you were raised in small town Texas (or married someone who was), check it out...
Oil changes at NTB - for $20 you can get a full Pennzoil oil change at NTB, and their wait is usually short since most people think they just sell tires. And they are open Sunday. Heathens.
Adidas Climacool Shoes - They are like feathers on your feet, but not at all like that. What?
Coupons - this sounds weird because it is - I look through the coupon mailers to figure out where we should eat out. I do this so much that our friend Nolan gave me an Enterntainment Book (that big coupon book they sell as a fundraiser) as a gift. I am that guy.
Online Coupons - just before I make a purchase online, I check retailmenot.com for coupon codes - everything from free shipping to $5-$10 coupons are there for the taking.
LOLCats - unreasonably funny...
I think I've said too much...
Updates to HDTV Guide
Now that we are well into 2008, I need to update the 2007 HDTV guide....
LCD/Plasma Flat Panel HDTV prices have fallen so low that DLP/Rear-Projection has been priced out of the market. A 50" LCD/Plasma is now $1200. Go with the flat panel, even for larger sizes.
Bigger isn't always better (insert a comment by Kyle here) - you generally want about 4 inches of screen size per foot of viewing distance. That's what she said. So if your couch is 12 feet away from the TV, go with a 46" to 50" TV. Be careful not to be that person with a 72" TV in a six by seven room. Unless you are a big IMAX fan.
If I had to buy a TV right now, it would be a close tie between a Panasonic Plasma or a Vizio LCD. I am still a Plasmas over LCD kinda guy, but if I was going to get one I'd buy a Vizio and save some cash...
LCD/Plasma Flat Panel HDTV prices have fallen so low that DLP/Rear-Projection has been priced out of the market. A 50" LCD/Plasma is now $1200. Go with the flat panel, even for larger sizes.
Bigger isn't always better (insert a comment by Kyle here) - you generally want about 4 inches of screen size per foot of viewing distance. That's what she said. So if your couch is 12 feet away from the TV, go with a 46" to 50" TV. Be careful not to be that person with a 72" TV in a six by seven room. Unless you are a big IMAX fan.
If I had to buy a TV right now, it would be a close tie between a Panasonic Plasma or a Vizio LCD. I am still a Plasmas over LCD kinda guy, but if I was going to get one I'd buy a Vizio and save some cash...
First post from the iBook
I got the iBook up and running - as a reminder, here are the specs:
500mhz G3, 128MB SDRAM, 10GB HD, Airport, 12" LCD
I've decided I am getting that whirring rainbow beach ball of death too much, so I bought a 512MB SDRAM stick from ebay for $30. That should do the trick and get me up to speed. I am really impressed with the condition of this iBook - it is 7 years old, but looks 90% new. It has a mark from an asset tag in the back, meaning it was probably sitting in a library or school somewhere and nobody was sure how to use it. This also makes me question if it's origins are truly legit - the ebay seller had a number of lots of other used equipment, but that is not proof positive.
At any rate, in order to spruce up the old iBook, I gave it the new Leopard background - the Northern Lights, or as those of us who attend dinner parties call it, the Aurora Borealis. I had to Photoshop it for the standard 12" screen (it came in the new widescreen 13.3" format). So if you have an old iBook that is not widescreen, here's the background for you:
I also created one for my iPhone - just click the picture and save it in your computer's picture folder, then sync your iPhone and apply as background using your iPhone's menu:
500mhz G3, 128MB SDRAM, 10GB HD, Airport, 12" LCD
I've decided I am getting that whirring rainbow beach ball of death too much, so I bought a 512MB SDRAM stick from ebay for $30. That should do the trick and get me up to speed. I am really impressed with the condition of this iBook - it is 7 years old, but looks 90% new. It has a mark from an asset tag in the back, meaning it was probably sitting in a library or school somewhere and nobody was sure how to use it. This also makes me question if it's origins are truly legit - the ebay seller had a number of lots of other used equipment, but that is not proof positive.
At any rate, in order to spruce up the old iBook, I gave it the new Leopard background - the Northern Lights, or as those of us who attend dinner parties call it, the Aurora Borealis. I had to Photoshop it for the standard 12" screen (it came in the new widescreen 13.3" format). So if you have an old iBook that is not widescreen, here's the background for you:
I also created one for my iPhone - just click the picture and save it in your computer's picture folder, then sync your iPhone and apply as background using your iPhone's menu:
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