Thank You, Geeks

What a mess. I spent all of last night trying to fix it and no luck.

What mess you ask? Last night I decided to download Darius Rucker's new country song, Don't Think I Don't Think About It. And of course that led to more songs and suddenly this virus warning pop-up appeared. It looked official. It said it was Antivirus XP 2008 and I needed to run it. I clicked Ok and not long after realized my mistake. It wasn't official and created a mess of my computer.

I tried to go to some tech forums to figure out what to do and this program had blocked the ability to get to those web sites. Somewhere in my search I saw there were youtube videos on the subject. Score, the hackers hadn't thought to block that. Yup, I had a problem according to youtube users. Of course, the solutions they offered involved downloaded spyware which I couldn't access. Kind of a catch 22. What to do? I gave up at midnight.

But lying in bed I realized D's computer still worked and I could access some help forums. So this morning I got on his computer and found a forum that discussed this program and how to fix it. The best part it didn't involve downloading programs I couldn't access. Just follow this guy's detailed instructions and all should be well. I did and believe me it makes me nervous when I am deleting files that I don't understand. But it worked and I am back in business. Thank you, Microsoft. It was in one of your forums I found the information I needed. The geeks do run the world.

So beware of Antivirus XP 2008 or variations which also exist. Don't click on it. It looks official but it isn't. Take it from one who knows.

Score!

What can I say? My standards are low for what I consider funny.

What Do I Think?

Yesterday I received this email from Sarah.

Just tried to call you....

Here were the recommendations the dealer called me back with (in addition to the 30,000 service):
-new tires $517 for Yokaham or something like that(extra $100 if I get the kind i have now-Michelen)
-alignment $99.95
-fuel induction service $139
-transmission power flush $159
-rear brake rotor replacement $352

Talked to several knowledgeable people at work about it (the engineers who actually get car magazines). The fuel induction service and transmission power flush are recommended by the manufacturer at 120,000 miles. Did not get a clear answer from the dealership on why the huge discrepancy between the two numbers besides "local experience has shown this is a good idea". So I nixed those.

The rear brake rotor replacment was because they say it has excessive rust. I got a good explanation from engineers here about brakes/rotor setup etc so I understood. Asked them why the brakes were engaging to allow a rust build up and they said they needed lubrication because the brake pads weren't moving fully and the slide pads were sticking. I knew that was part of the 30,000 service I'm getting and said that should fix the problem, then they said that the rust wouldnt wear off with this fixed because the pads would wearr extremely fast in those spots. The people at work said this shouldnt be a problem and if I'm worried about it I can ask someone to look at it the next time I get my oil changed but it should be fine, especially since I don't see any problems with the brakes during operation.

They said I needed new tires because of wear. I called back and asked for clarification and to quantify the tread that was left. It is 4/32'' on both front, 5/32'' on one rear and 7/32'' on the other rear. Then they said they recommended replacement not because they were worn but because they were worn unevenly and looked wavy and choppy and thats what was causing the vibration/rumbling I noticed while driving. I clarified that the only consequence of this might be some vibration while driving but nothing else. Again people at work said I shouldn't need tire replacements except maybe the front tires in a little bit.

So I'm not doing any of it for now. The next time I get my oil changed I might get an alignment or wait a little longer until I actually need new tires and get an alignment then.
What do you think?

What do I think?

You may be blond and think the circuit doesn't include both the switch and the light fixture, you may wash your clothes with no detergent or softner, but no one is going to take advantage of you. Good for you. You are more like your dad than I thought.

Take A Hike, Ike!

I had a weekend recap all set in my head to write last night, Sunday, and then poof it was gone. Gone like the wind. More like a wind named Ike. We lost our power just as I was sitting down to write my blog entry and we didn't get it back until four o'clock this morning.

The most tragic part of the whole night was we were just minutes into the Pittsburgh/Cleveland game. Could you hear the yelling coming from Western PA last night? They take their football seriously around here and losing cable in the middle of the game is not a good thing.

Because we could hear the wind howling outside (50 - 70 mph gusts) and we could hear lots of limbs hitting the roof we decided it might be prudent to go to the basement until the worst of it had blown over. So with candles and a our trusty battery operated radio we sat in the candlelight and listened to the football game.





We both fell asleep during halftime with a score of 7 to 0 and woke up with three minutes left and a score of 10 to 6. It wasn't supposed to be that close of a game but they pulled it out and Pittsburgh is breathing easy today. The wind had died somewhat so we went to bed and woke up to this.





We have branches all over our yard. I don't even want to think how long it is going to take me to pick them all up. D conviently left town today and won't be home until Thursday.





Can you see why I was a little nervous when I was standing outside with Jo last night? Stuff was falling around us and all I could think of was I am going to get hit by something and it was going to hurt.

One of the trees in our backyard.





We got off lucky. We have lots of neighbors with whole trees blown over in their yards including the neighbor to the east of us. But what can you expect when your yard is full of trees?





Come on, Jo, we have work to do!





And now on to my football recap which was my original plan.

I had predicted a ND win by single digits. Final score ND 35, MI 17. I thought it would be a lot closer game than it was. And that's all I am going to say about that. Do we get bragging rights for a year? Of course. But am I going to gloat? Nope. Karma kills.

I predicted a USC win and they didn't disappoint. I said 34 - 14. The final score was35 - 3. Three points? Wow. Maybe MI has a chance this year.

And now on to the Lions. How can you have a 1 point lead with 6 minutes remaining and still lose by 23? I guess if there is a way the Lions will find it, but sheesh. I had predicted a Green Bay win 42 - 7. Final score 48 - 25. At least they put some points on the scoreboard so I guess that is something to be happy about. But to give up 24 points in the last 6 minutes. I am speechless.

And in case my not that much younger brother is having second thoughts about cutting that last thread he was hanging by from the Lions. Heed this advice I found on the Freep's Lion gameday blog.

Replying to Tassiedevil:
I'm relatively new. Have the Lions evr had an NFL quality quarterback, or coach?
New to football, or just new to Detroit?
Give it up now while you still can. DO NOT GET EMOTIONALLY ATTACHED TO THIS TEAM.
Go get a Steelers jersey and rest easy.
09/14/2008 3:35:11 p.m. EDT

Yes, little brother, get a Steeler's jersey and you will sleep much better at night.

All I Can Say Is...

I didn't see that coming.

Cheer, Cheer For Old Notre Dame!

Ah, game day. I do love football. I am sitting at my computer watching the rain fall outside and hoping that isn't an omen for how my day is going to go today. After all, today is the game we have all been waiting for all week......





Yes, it is the University of Notre Dame du lac vs the University of Michigan. Who is going to win this game? Your guess is as good as mine. From what I have read everyone is calling for a close game by two not very good teams. I am hoping for a ND win, but realistically I think it is a toss up. The team who commits the fewest turnovers and mistakes will probably win this one.

The next game of interest is Ohio State against USC. Can the Big 10 repair its national image? They don't seem to fare well against other conferences around the country. Is it now two trips in a row for Ohio for the National Championship? Two trips, two losses. And today will be no exception. I predict a USC win tonight. D and I will both be watching that one.

And now the Lions. Here is a quote I found in the Free Press about the Lions.

Nationally, people think the Lions are irrelevant 364 days of a year. The 365th day is Thanksgiving -- when everybody wonders why the Lions are on TV.

Thank goodness they aren't completely irrelevant because I would never get to see them play. I am so hoping we get the game tomorrow. I may need a pick-me-up after today's ND game. I don't know what my brother has been smoking, but I don't see the Lions winning this game against the Green Bay Packers. From what I have heard Green Bay looked pretty good last week and we all know how the Lions performed against the worst team in the NFL.

There you have it, my picks for the weekend. I am hoping for a ND win, and predicting wins for USC and Green Bay. Let the games begin!

Cheer, cheer for old Notre Dame!

They Call This Work?

A couple of weeks ago D had the opportunity to fly to Wyoming for a couple of days of hiking and fishing. He was being entertained by one of the vendors his comapany buys from. He had done this trip about ten years ago so he was excited to be going back.

For fun I decided to apply some filters to the photos he took while he was out there. It has made for some interesting effects. I put the name of the filter in parentheses for anyone who is interested in such things.

He flew commercial to Chicago then boarded a private jet for the rest of the trip. (dreamy)





The jet was a tad bit cramped. No wonder I wasn't invited! (fall colors)





Here is the bustling airport which was their destination. (sixties slide)





The spent their time at a 10,000 acre ranch. I'm used to 40 acres, I can't even imagine owning a ranch that big. (mountain)





Here is one of the many houses that are on the ranch. (landscape)





One of the many trout that they caught and ate for dinner. (charachter)





He even got fancy with his camera. (reminiscing)





He saw a moose (bright shade)





and a real cowboy. (faded)





The views were incredible. (snap)





Can there ever be too much fishing? (brownie)





All good things must come to an end and so it was time to head back home. (spooky)





C-2 if you are interested in having these fun little filters for yourself go to http://www.optikvervelabs.com/default.asp They have really good directions on how to get this program right into your Photoshop program. If I could figure it out, I know you can. I see they have some more that I may have to download.