Factory replacement remotes are an example of what I consider price gouging. A couple of weeks ago I ordered a replacement remote for my Sony receiver.
The Sony remote is very specific to the model receiver one has. We’re not talking a simple cheapie remote like you get at WalMart. With shipping the remote cost me $97.34!! I’ll bet it cost all of 5 dollars to manufacture.
So naturally, today, my receiver died on me.
Grrrrrrr
Thursday, May 31, 2007
Saturday, May 26, 2007
Where The Lord Lives
Only stayed home briefly – just Friday night. This morning I drove down to Nuke'em's new place in Southport. His apartment is in a great location – 1 block off main street and about 5 blocks from the waterfront. Walking distance to everything. And by everything – I mean all the local bars.
Sometimes life is poetic. JTN (aka JFC) lives here:
One block down lives his good buddy and favorite global warming politician:
You just can’t make this stuff up.
LOL
Sometimes life is poetic. JTN (aka JFC) lives here:
One block down lives his good buddy and favorite global warming politician:
You just can’t make this stuff up.
LOL
Friday, May 25, 2007
UNCC
Spent the week at UNC Charlotte. Since it’s a relatively young university (established early 1960’s) there aren’t any historical buildings. However, one instructor at the School of Architecture is also a master welder, blacksmith and farrier. One of his classes built this blacksmith shop he designed. It’s a really neat small building with a couple of forges inside. He teaches welding, blacksmithing and horse shoeing to kids who are interested.
This next, uh, contraption was sitting in the hallway of the Engineering building. I have no idea what it is.
And finally, a photo of Charlotte taken from the roof of the library book stacks tower. I'm standing at the roof edge of a 10 story building.
Don't see Charlotte?
Click on the photo and zoom in.
Sunday, May 20, 2007
Weekend Update
Saturday
Nuke'em came up to visit this weekend. He’s doing well at his new Southport location.
Saturday we didn’t do much. Just hung around and listened to music. Went to Allen and Sons Bar-B-Que in Pittsboro. Stopped at the Hippy Dippy Food Mart on the way back. They were having their 1 year anniversary celebration. While we were there a guy was playing the bongos. I kid you not. Only no ‘beat’ poets.
Sunday
Met up with Chip and Tadpole for breakfast at IHOP.
Went to artsplosure. Good music. Didn’t buy anything.
Home now and put up the tent / gazebo that Mami gave me when they moved to Japan. I don’t think it had ever been out of the box. Put it up just to see what it looked like and how big it was.
Raccoon #1 showed up for dinner at 4 PM! She comes by earlier and earlier.
Listening to music on the porch. Doing laundry and packing for work for next week. I’ll be at the University of NC – Charlotte.
Nuke'em came up to visit this weekend. He’s doing well at his new Southport location.
Saturday we didn’t do much. Just hung around and listened to music. Went to Allen and Sons Bar-B-Que in Pittsboro. Stopped at the Hippy Dippy Food Mart on the way back. They were having their 1 year anniversary celebration. While we were there a guy was playing the bongos. I kid you not. Only no ‘beat’ poets.
Sunday
Met up with Chip and Tadpole for breakfast at IHOP.
Went to artsplosure. Good music. Didn’t buy anything.
Home now and put up the tent / gazebo that Mami gave me when they moved to Japan. I don’t think it had ever been out of the box. Put it up just to see what it looked like and how big it was.
Raccoon #1 showed up for dinner at 4 PM! She comes by earlier and earlier.
Listening to music on the porch. Doing laundry and packing for work for next week. I’ll be at the University of NC – Charlotte.
Tuesday, May 15, 2007
RSVP
Artistnista, filmmaker and part-time liar Michael Moore invited Senator Fred Thompson to a debate. Senator Thompson replied via this video.
Adaptability +Addendum
I have 2 raccoons and a possum that I put out dog food for. I don’t feed them everyday. Usually only 3 times a week. I don’t want them to become dependent on the handouts.
The 2 raccoons have been showing up more or less at the same time at night – usually around 9 PM or so. They fight over the food. The larger one always wins and gets to eat first. Leftovers to the small one.
They may look cute – but when they fight – it’s pretty serious. Fur flying and everything. The ‘cute’ factor goes out the door in an instant.
Recently though, the larger raccoon has started showing up during daylight. I just took these photos a little before 6 PM. The larger, and I assume older, raccoon has figured out that it’s easier to come early and eat without the hassle of a fight.
Also, she seems to becoming less wary of me around the house. She still pulls back and keeps an eye on me if I walk by or to the door – but she no longer takes off.
The possum doesn’t run either – but that’s because it’s as dumb as a door knob.
I don’t want the raccoons to get too used to me. So I try to stay away from the door when they’re eating.
Wednesday Morning Addendum
The little raccoon showed up on schedule around 9 PM. After she ate and left, I put a little more food in the bowl. This morning, the bowl was empty. I figure the possum came by later.
Sunday, May 13, 2007
Weekend Update
Saturday
ADH, MIH, EIH have left for Tokyo via NoVa. Saturday, E had her last day at Japanese School here in Raleigh and a little going away event. Not exactly a party but something like that. After school all 3 headed up to ADH’s parents (my sister and brother-in-law).
Sunday
Brother (CA) and sister-in-law (BA) and niece (CAM) and nephew-in-law (CM) and their new baby (M&M – age 5 month) all came down Saturday for the graduation from NCSU of BA’s niece. I met up with them for breakfast.
First time I’ve gotten to see the newest great niece M&M.
Everybody always thinks the babies in their families are cute. The truth is, some are, some aren’t. In this case M&M is a really really cute baby.
I had my camera with me, but in the excitement of getting to the restaurant and sitting around and talking – I forgot to take photos!!!!
Sheesh.
Anyway – everybody left for their respective homes after breakfast and I’ve been puttering around this afternoon.
It’s very quiet around the house.
ADH, MIH, EIH have left for Tokyo via NoVa. Saturday, E had her last day at Japanese School here in Raleigh and a little going away event. Not exactly a party but something like that. After school all 3 headed up to ADH’s parents (my sister and brother-in-law).
Sunday
Brother (CA) and sister-in-law (BA) and niece (CAM) and nephew-in-law (CM) and their new baby (M&M – age 5 month) all came down Saturday for the graduation from NCSU of BA’s niece. I met up with them for breakfast.
First time I’ve gotten to see the newest great niece M&M.
Everybody always thinks the babies in their families are cute. The truth is, some are, some aren’t. In this case M&M is a really really cute baby.
I had my camera with me, but in the excitement of getting to the restaurant and sitting around and talking – I forgot to take photos!!!!
Sheesh.
Anyway – everybody left for their respective homes after breakfast and I’ve been puttering around this afternoon.
It’s very quiet around the house.
Monday, May 07, 2007
Happy Birthday
Sunday
Nephew, niece-in-law, little niece went to the Carnivore Preservation Trust in the morning. Wasn’t sure how EIH would react to the Tigers but reports are she really liked it. She likes watching the raccoons on the back deck as well. Was told that one kid got a little close to the fence and got ‘marked’ by a tiger – i.e. ‘sprayed’.
I went to Pittsboro for breakfast and Sunday newspaper reading while the H’s were at CPT. Just as I got to town, I had to wait at the court house circle for a lot of motorcycles to pass – some sort of rally or parade. My estimate was at least 150+ bikes. Afterwards strolled around Pittsboro for a while (First Sunday). Then went grocery shopping.
In the afternoon, I just puttered around the house.
Monday
Today is MIH’s 35th birthday. I picked up an ice cream cake from Baskin Robbins on the way home from work. We had the ice cream cake before dinner – as it should be! They are headed out in a few minutes to go out to eat for M’s b-day. I’m going to take a nap.
I think the Cary H’s took the day off and lazed around the house. They’ve been working pretty hard getting everything packed and ready for the move. And the house cleaned and ready to be turned over to the purchasers at closing.
The Cary H’s are leaving for Tokyo next Sunday. Saturday they’ll drive up to NoVa – they leave out of Dulles early Sunday morning.
I guess after that I’ll only get to see them once or twice a year.
;…(
Wednesday, May 02, 2007
Tuesday, May 01, 2007
Outside My Window
Amendment I
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.
I've posted before about groups that frequently gather when the General Assembly is in Session.
My offices are on the 4th floor of the Education Building. This morning I heard chanting outside my window. This particular group wants more funding for Special Education programs in the public schools.
Good location for people driving by to see them but the real 'powers that be' are on the other side of the building.
The second photo is from the back of the Education Building looking towards the Legislative Office Building to the right and the General Assembly Building to the left. The bridge / walkway goes over Lane Street so people going back and forth from the LOB to the General Assembly Bldg don't have to dodge traffic all the time. Every so often, someone floats the idea of building a tunnel between these two buildings. Very expensive proposition. Umbrellas are cheap. Plus, if you rally on the grass lawn - the lawmakers have to traverse that area and I kind of like the idea of our elected representatives having the opportunity for 'face time' with us common folk. If you click on the second photo and zoom in you can see some of the assembly members going between buildings.
This group would have gotten better attention of the legislators had they staged their rally on the green plaza outside the LOB.
BTW - that grass lawn is the roof of an underground parking deck. Pretty nifty.
Mission Accomplished
Normally I don’t post about politics. This is the exception.
Warning - Ranting Follows.
Today is the fourth anniversary of George W telling us “Mission Accomplished”.
He also told us the reason we needed to invade was because Iraq was a haven for terrorist (lie) and that Saddam Hussein had weapons of mass destruction (lie). (Of course, it’s a haven for terrorists Now!)
We were also told that the war would cost around $50 Billion (lie). I recall that the GAO estimated about $120 Billion and the administration went ballistic and said that number was absurd. As of this week – the tally is at $500 Billion. Granted, it's impossible to estimate with certainty - but the Administration knew they were lying when they said $50 Billion.
They also told us that as soon as we booted Saddam Hussein out of power, we’d get the oil fields running and that revenue would pay for reconstruction.
Of course, the ‘case’ for invasion conveniently glossed over the fact that Paul Wolfowitz already had plans drawn up for an invasion of Iraq before 9/11.
The biggest blunder of the war (apart from the decision to invade in the first place) was when Paul Bremer, against the strenuous advice from the Military, decided to totally disband the Iraq security forces.
Granted, there were a lot of bad guys in the Iraq army and police, but they could have been weeded out. Instead, with the stroke of a pen, any semblance of security was wiped out and hundreds of thousands of men were put on the street without jobs or income. And they blame the US. If Bremer were actually in the Army, he should have been Courts Marshaled for gross incompetence and Dereliction of Duty. Instead, Bush awarded him the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
It isn’t just the Administration – Congress votes the budgets and has let the President get away with his lies to the American people.
This is the same Administration and Congress that gave us the thoroughly ineffective TSA. What a waste of billions of dollars.
The Bush Administration ran on a platform of Morality and 'Christian' Family Values. Bullshit. (Exodus 20:16 (KJV) Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour.)
This administration and president lies to us. It is staffed with third rate appointees who's hallmarks are loyalty to the president and lack of competence. They distort facts and twist the truth - to the President and the American People.
The President knows he and his people have told us lies. And if the President honestly believes some of the things he's told us - then that just tells me he's incredibly stupid.
The George W Bush Administration will not go down in history as a mediocre presidency. It will be remembered as thoroughly ineffective and one of the most grossly incompetent administrations in American history.
Mission Accomplished. Brownie, you're doing a heck of a Job. I mean, Bushie.
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.
I've posted before about groups that frequently gather when the General Assembly is in Session.
My offices are on the 4th floor of the Education Building. This morning I heard chanting outside my window. This particular group wants more funding for Special Education programs in the public schools.
Good location for people driving by to see them but the real 'powers that be' are on the other side of the building.
The second photo is from the back of the Education Building looking towards the Legislative Office Building to the right and the General Assembly Building to the left. The bridge / walkway goes over Lane Street so people going back and forth from the LOB to the General Assembly Bldg don't have to dodge traffic all the time. Every so often, someone floats the idea of building a tunnel between these two buildings. Very expensive proposition. Umbrellas are cheap. Plus, if you rally on the grass lawn - the lawmakers have to traverse that area and I kind of like the idea of our elected representatives having the opportunity for 'face time' with us common folk. If you click on the second photo and zoom in you can see some of the assembly members going between buildings.
This group would have gotten better attention of the legislators had they staged their rally on the green plaza outside the LOB.
BTW - that grass lawn is the roof of an underground parking deck. Pretty nifty.
Mission Accomplished
Normally I don’t post about politics. This is the exception.
Warning - Ranting Follows.
Today is the fourth anniversary of George W telling us “Mission Accomplished”.
He also told us the reason we needed to invade was because Iraq was a haven for terrorist (lie) and that Saddam Hussein had weapons of mass destruction (lie). (Of course, it’s a haven for terrorists Now!)
We were also told that the war would cost around $50 Billion (lie). I recall that the GAO estimated about $120 Billion and the administration went ballistic and said that number was absurd. As of this week – the tally is at $500 Billion. Granted, it's impossible to estimate with certainty - but the Administration knew they were lying when they said $50 Billion.
They also told us that as soon as we booted Saddam Hussein out of power, we’d get the oil fields running and that revenue would pay for reconstruction.
Of course, the ‘case’ for invasion conveniently glossed over the fact that Paul Wolfowitz already had plans drawn up for an invasion of Iraq before 9/11.
The biggest blunder of the war (apart from the decision to invade in the first place) was when Paul Bremer, against the strenuous advice from the Military, decided to totally disband the Iraq security forces.
Granted, there were a lot of bad guys in the Iraq army and police, but they could have been weeded out. Instead, with the stroke of a pen, any semblance of security was wiped out and hundreds of thousands of men were put on the street without jobs or income. And they blame the US. If Bremer were actually in the Army, he should have been Courts Marshaled for gross incompetence and Dereliction of Duty. Instead, Bush awarded him the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
It isn’t just the Administration – Congress votes the budgets and has let the President get away with his lies to the American people.
This is the same Administration and Congress that gave us the thoroughly ineffective TSA. What a waste of billions of dollars.
The Bush Administration ran on a platform of Morality and 'Christian' Family Values. Bullshit. (Exodus 20:16 (KJV) Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour.)
This administration and president lies to us. It is staffed with third rate appointees who's hallmarks are loyalty to the president and lack of competence. They distort facts and twist the truth - to the President and the American People.
The President knows he and his people have told us lies. And if the President honestly believes some of the things he's told us - then that just tells me he's incredibly stupid.
The George W Bush Administration will not go down in history as a mediocre presidency. It will be remembered as thoroughly ineffective and one of the most grossly incompetent administrations in American history.
Mission Accomplished. Brownie, you're doing a heck of a Job. I mean, Bushie.
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