Pushing Google Chrome, even in Mexico

This will be a quick post.

We are in Mexico, and they have some computers setup for everyone to use. The computers are fairly locked down so you can't change many settings in Windows. I am able to install Google Chrome to use instead of Internet Explorer, so I am quite happy with that.

However I figured everyone should be enjoying Google Chrome instead of lame old IE, so using my computer wizardary I updated all the Internet Explorer shortcuts to open Chrome when clicked, but they still have the IE icon and name on them.

So far I have seen a few people using the computer and no one has noticed. They just get to experience a faster broswer without even realizing it. :)

Oh yeah, vacation is going good and all that, I'll post more details with pics later.

Playhouse Ladder

One of the other projects I did this past weekend was to put up a smaller ladder on the playhouse. This connects the exit of the tube to the back balcony (through a trap door). One step closer to being done.

Ladder is just the two boards and two black rungs.

Funny Shows!

I recently came across some funny online shows I wanted to share.

Dr. Horrible's Sing Along Blog

http://www.hulu.com/watch/28343/dr-horribles-sing-along-blog

This is a must see, great writing, great singing, and just all together very entertaining! (A little old now, but still great)

(42 minutes)

The Guild

http://www.watchtheguild.com/

A web series about a group of internet gamers. If you have ever played a MMO like World of Warcraft, this is a must see for you.

(Multiple episodes, each a few minutes long)

Legend of Neil

http://www.atom.com/channel/channel_legend_of_neil/

Parody about someone trapped in the original Zelda game. Quite funny if you have ever played Zelda on the original Nintendo. Warning: Mature Audience's Only

If you just want to see one episode, check out their latest which is a music video: http://www.atom.com/funny_videos/legend_of_neil_203/

(Multiple episodes, each a few minutes long)

Let me know if you check any of these out. I'd love to hear what you think of them.

Shoe Shelf

One of the other projects I did over the weekend was to create a "Shoe Shelf" for our front closet. With three people storing shoes there (soon to be four once Bryce starts walking), it was getting to be a jumbled mess at the bottom of the closet.

The boards cut and ready for assembly.

The completed shelf!

The shelf in place (no shoes on it yet, as I am giving it another day to dry).

The funny part about all of this is Stacey saw what I was doing but I never told her what it was. (I wanted it to be a surprise). Last night she started trying to guess what it was, and since I knew she would figure it out sooner or later, I instead told her it was a step for our cat to get onto our bed easier.

Unfortunately she thought that was a good idea and told me it was nice of me to think of the cat. So now it looks like my next project will be building a cat step. :)

HD Over the air

I am sure most of you heard about the switch recently when all TV stations stopped broadcasting over the air. While they did stop broadcasting the old signal, almost all of them are now broadcasting HD over the air (OTA).

Unfortunately your old rabbit ears antenna will no longer work to pick up this new signal. You can purchase a new HD antenna for anywhere between $50 and $150.

Or, you can just look on the internet and build your own. This is exactly what I decided to do.

First I gathered the materials for the project.

Wiring the antenna

Complete!

I plugged this into my computer (I have a card in there that accepts HD signals), and without even tweaking the direction or anything I was able to pick up 6 channels in great quality!

I still need to play with this more to see what else I can get working, as I expect I should be able to get around 20 or so channels. I'll keep you all updated.

Sleep out tonight!

Bonnie and Kyla are sleeping out in the playhouse tonight. It is supposed to get into the 50's tonight, so hopefully they will stay warm enough!

Spare Tire

So how do you discourage someone from driving too much on the spare tire? Easy, paint it bright red. Talk about classy. :)

I actually got some complements on the spare tire as I was changing it. Apparently I should just get four of these and I'll be ultra cool.

Volleyball is Expensive

So I started going to some free pickup volleyball games recently. These are held in downtown Akron every Thursday night, and sponsored by the city.

So last Thursday as I am parallel parking I got a little two close to the curb. As I pull the emergency break, I hear this nice hissing sound. I decide to go play some volleyball anyway, and figure I'll deal with it when I get back.

When I do get back to inspect the damage, I see a nice slice on the sidewall of the tire. Apparently I managed to back up perfectly to line up the tire with the only metal edge on the curb. One in a million shot, really. I pull the spare out and manage to get it changed within 15 minutes or so.

Since the tires are half worn, I decide I should probably replace both of them. After calling around some, I managed to get a half decent deal and get the tires ordered. I tell the tire store I will bring in both tires tomorrow so they put the new ones on.

So when I get home I start to take the tire off, I realize that I lost the wheel lock key after changing the tire, and I can no longer get the other wheel off the car! After hitting myself repeatedly for being so stupid, I begrudgingly call up the dealer and ask if they can help me out.

The first guy I talk to at the dealer says I need to talk to service, as they have master keys and can help me to figure out which key we need to order. So I get transferred to service, and after setting up an appointment for later in the week, I ask how much he is going to charge me. He tells me they can probably do it for $95! After calming myself down, I ask him if he is insane, as all he needs to do is try each master key they have until one fits. That is definitely not worth $95 dollars. He is decidedly unhelpful, so I hang up, call the first guy back, and he says to bring it right over and he'll help me for free. Finally something goes right!

The $45 part that I left in downtown Akron somewhere.

I end up ordering a new wheel lock from Porsche myself and get it overnighted ($45). I am finally able to get the other wheel off and I take them both in to get the new tires on. Of course when I get there they have no idea who I am, and don't have any tires waiting for me. :) Turns out they shipped the tires to the wrong store, so they have to get the brought over to this store.

The other tire finally comes off!

I do finally get the tires back on, and am now driving the car again.

So my free volleyball game only ended up costing me about $350 or so. Man, staying in shape is getting expensive!

Camping!

Bedtime