I want one!

You should check out the Steampunk Workshop. This guy will show you exactly how to make these things. I might try the keyboard myself, I have a couple of these laying around.

I love how they make new things look old and old things into new items. Way cool.

Exciting day!

Pretty exciting day today. My EEE Pc arrived at 10:11am. I almost missed the Puralator guy, they never seem to realize that the stairs for the top floor are on the outside of the building.

I had been watching for him but, of course, the second I hit the head he pulls up. Came out and caught a glimpse of the truck out the window and raced down the steps.

I don't know if you realize the visual here. I am not exactly what you would call 'graceful', not many fat chicks are. But I made 'er down almost safely if you don't account for the almost having a heart attack once I got back up. After about 5 minutes of recovery breathing time, I cracked the package open.

It is the cutest thing you have ever seen and you are surfing 2 minutes after turning it on. No real setup except for the time zone and connecting to your wireless network. Nothing like the two hours I spent getting The Boy's laptop up and running.

A big thank you goes out to WillB, he is the one who hooked me up with this offer in the first place. And to all you out there who doubted we would actually get one of these things and decided not to go for it?

SUCKAS!

And another thing...
I was published today,



Welcome to the MrBarters readers.

One step closer.

My confirmation letter from RBC for the EEE PC actually arrived ahead of schedule. (yesterday) I was not expecting it until the 12th or 13th, but here it is.

And I am so glad, the second it arrives I am firing this old laptop right out the window. Literally. Maybe sooner if I have to reboot one more freakin' time today.

After following the instructions in the letter, I get this:

Thank you for choosing RBC Royal Bank®. You should receive your ASUS Eee PC by courier within 5-10 business days depending on your location. We hope you will enjoy all of the benefits that come with your new banking account. And we know you will enjoy your new ASUS Eee PC.

Tick tock.

Word from RBC.

The last time I called the Royal Bank of Canada, I was assured that my confirmation mail for my EEE PC was sent on the 14th. So here it is the 29th and no letter.

Again I call them. And get a fellow named, Dean.

"So, when you say mailed, it doesn't mean it actually left the building, only that the letter was prepared? Right?. Otherwise I can't imagine why I have not gotten it, unless you are sending it through pony express on a horse with three legs."

At this, Dean puts me on hold to find out what is going on. He comes back to inform me that I am correct in assuming that it wasn't actually mailed on the 14th, but rather just processed. He also informs me that it typically takes 21 business days from the time of processing to actually deliver the letter. Once I have the letter in hand (around the 12th or 13) and verify my shipping information, he assures me that it will only take 8 business days to have the EEE PC in hand.

That means, I should be playing with this thing on the 26th at the latest.

This is hovering very closely to the 10 weeks (start to finish) that I was promised.

Fingers crossed.

Getting closer.

Received this in the mail yesterday. It's the leather case for my new Eee PC. So I figured I should call the RBC and rattle their chain, since I haven't even received my confirmation letter telling me I am actually getting the stupid thing.

I called and they assure me that the letter was mailed on the 14th, so I should get it any day now.

This shit might actually happen.

Ask and ye shall receive.

As if on queue, the answer to my boredom has revealed itself.

I have taken on a second job. One that I can work on my off hours, or whenever I have the time. It's interesting work too. I am sure the woman who does it now (after umpteen years) doesn't think so anymore but it is new to me and, therefore, interesting.


It will involve learning new computer programs, (which I love, I am such a geek) putting together a print publication and a little advertising thrown in there for good measure. I think I should be good for the summer, until she realizes that I am not as smart as she thinks I am. (SHHHH! I won't tell her if you don't)

I don't know if it is just the contentment I feel from finding an interesting outlet or from the peace of living alone, but I purchased this for my son for grading. I think he will be surprised. After all, he thinks all I am giving him is a Pink Floyd poster I nabbed off eBay.

And, of coures, I have to add a little something to remember me by.



I know, why am I not buying myself some new toy? Well I am still under the impression that I am already getting a free toy, so why not spread the joy.

Besides, what would I do with a laptop? I already have four computers in the house and there remains the small fact that I don't actually go anywhere.

I will get more enjoyment buying accessories for the toys I have. I wonder if The Boy will add me to his Facebook now?

Update:

The Boy could not stop thanking me. At first he was slack-jawed, "I can't believe you bought me a laptop!" Then he would jump up every minute or so to hug and kiss me, tell me just how much I rock and that he loves me so much!

See, and you thought you couldn't buy your kid's affection. Oh ye of little faith.

While we are on the subject of cool...

Ok, so that was a couple posts ago, but I am still on the subject.

I just upgraded to FireFox 3.0, and I have to say, "Way cool!" I like the 'most visited' button it added to the bookmark toolbar, very handy.

It also makes it easier to subscribe to feeds and bookmark the page just by clicking the corresponding icon at the end of the location bar.

Ever close a tab you didn't mean to close? You can reopen it in one click. Just view Recently Closed Tabs in the History menu.

I could go on and on.

Mind you, some of my addons won't work with it, yet. But the cool thing is I didn't have to uninstall them, and it 'says' it will automatically enable them when they are compatible.

Well you know the first thing you do with a new browser version is have a look at the addons available. This one is the coolest so far.

PicLens "Transform your browser into a full-screen, 3D experience for online photos and videos."

While I haven't figured out how to get the video to work like it does in the demo on the site, I still think it is cool.

I know, your saying, "Vista already has it in media center."

Not the same, this is not the pics on your computer, its the web. Just watch the video.

Did I mention, its cool?

Small shiny objects.

In case you are wondering about the funky little pics I have been spattering around lately, I have been investigating my Vista.

You would be surprised at all the stuff they don't tell you about. This being one of them. (and I think the coolest)

It's called the Snipping tool and it is way cool. (can you tell I bore easily?)



Let me know if it starts to get on your nerves. Like I give a shit. (Did I use my outside voice?)

Anyway, so far I have tinkered, I think, a little too much. I actually had to reinstall Vista after a couple of these, but I was due for that anyway. If you want to try a few, be my guest. You will find them here.

I want my toy! Now!

I am starting to get excited. Like I am really going to get this thing.

I called the RBC yesterday just to make damn sure there was no loophole they were going to spring on me at the last minute.

Wouldn't you know, I got a newbie, Dave, who looked at my account and said, "Wait a minute. You already had payroll deposit? I think you need to apply for a credit card then to qualify."

WTF? "Really? Because the last person I talked to didn't mention that. And I don't want a credit card."

"Well you don't have to keep it."

"Ok, do I have to apply for a credit card or do I actually have to qualify? Cuz I can tell you, it ain't happening."

"I can transfer you to the credit department..."

"You know what? Don't. I can't imagine why the last person would tell me I qualified, she was looking at the same account that you are. Why don't you go find out for sure. I will just let you know, that after all this, if I don't get one of these free pc's I will be switching banks."

So, off he goes to talk to a supervisor or whatever he has to do. And I was not kidding, I will switch banks if they put me through all this shit, only to deny me the toy on a technicality. You don't get my hopes up without some serious ramifications. [insert Cartman voice ]

He comes back in about 5 minutes, "Evel? You are in like Flynn!" He is more excited than I am. "My mistake, I am so sorry."

"No worries, Dave, as long as I get my toy."

"Don't you worry, you are getting the toy!"

After that, I spent a few hours transferring money into my paypal account and surfing eBay for 'accessories' for my toy.

Which will all probably arrive before it does. SIGH!

Too good to be true? I'll let you know.

A friend alerted me to this offer. The Royal Bank of Canada, giving away computers.

Are you kidding? I have to get me some of that. But what is the catch?

Back in the day you would get a new toaster for opening up an account, but a computer?

Appears so.

So I call. Ten minutes later, I have switched my account (2 bucks more than I am paying now with overdraft protection I never had before) and I am on my way to getting a new computer.

One little hiccup in the mix. I was on bankbook so I have to switch to paper statements, wait till I actually get a paper statement and switch to electronic statements.

So, a couple of hoops to jump through, but a small price.

I will let you know if I, or my friend, ever actually get one of these cute little things.

Happy Birthday, Internet.

"On New Year’s Day 1983, while the rest of the world slept off a night of partying, a small group of computer experts in the U.S. found themselves hard at work, taking deep breaths with fingers crossed."

What was I doing? Let's see, in 1983 I was 18. Still in high school. I probably heard about this at the time but I was pretty much a stoner (which explained why I was still in high school at 18) so I would have made fun of the person who informed me of this little tidbit of info. I don't remember them making a big deal about it in school. I guess Al Gore was keeping a low profile. (idiot)

Was pretty much a non-issue anyway because in my neck of the woods, we didn't get internet until the mid 90's. I remember using BBS systems first, then dial-up services for years.

However, I was a geek early on. I remember my brother getting a computer when he started his business. As soon as I saw it, I couldn't keep my hands off it. It was an Amiga 500 (or possibly a 1000 or 2000). It had no hard drive, you loaded the ROM and the operating system. And you had to save everything on floppy disk before you shut it down, or you lost everything.

Believe it or not, I spent hours playing text adventure games. I know, it sounds lame, but at the time, it was addictive. Try them for yourself. Mine were not this fancy, imagine all of that on a black dos screen. I had to actually type 'move north' or 'look east' or 'drop knife' all while trying not to fuck up the map (which I had to create myself) so I didn't get lost. And once I learned to do basic programming, forget about it. If your a geek, and of a certain age, you have created random bouncing ball or 'Hello World!'.

Anyway, I hope you find this trip down memory lane informative. How far back in internet history do you go?

Separation of church and state.

I think I might start another blog just for the work-at-home gig. You know, something I might actually be able to show my employer.

This blog pretty much chronicled my whole stint at the Undisclosed Customer Service Center™ although I had to take great pains to make sure upper management did not get wind of it.

I often though it would have been a better idea to separate the work shit from the personal stuff. But by the time I thought of it, it was way too much work to separate it.

So, I am thinking I will start the new blog with my first day of training. Put out some info on how it really is to work from home. Keep it clean, for the employer and then tell you how I really feel here.

This also might be a good opportunity to try one of the other free blog hosting outfits.

So, my questions for you:

What should I name this new blog?

Any suggestions on the blog host? Who do you use and how do you like it?

2007: A Backpack Odyssey?

I just figured out how to send messages from my cell phone to contacts on my messenger.

I know, we have had the technology for a while now, but I did not. Just call me HAL. This technology would have come in handy when I had to fly solo on a mission to pick out a backpack for The Boy.

"You know I have only the most enthusiasm and confidence in this mission, Dave."

The Boy sends me on this mission and sets me up for failure.

I have to first set the stage.

I am waiting for a call from Undisclosed Internet Service Provider™ about the job so I forward my home phone to my cell so I don't miss the call. This means that I cannot call home. With me so far?

Ok, so The Boy's mission? Get him a backpack. If any of you have a teenager, you know it is not that simple. You can't get a lame one, or a gay one, etc, etc, etc. So I grill The Boy for particulars.

"I want a Swiss backpack." Pretty specific. "Black, blue, anything but red."
Since he is so specific, it does not really register what he has said. I have the brand name in my head and I am off to Staples.

As soon as I locate the 'Swiss' backpacks the gravity of the situation hits me.

"Just what do you think you're doing, Dave? Dave, I really think I'm entitled to an answer to that question."

I am staring at this thing in disbelief. I can't believe he has done this to me.
My blood runs cold as I stare at the Swiss backpacks. Swiss, as in Swiss Army Knife.

STAPLES ONLY CARRIES THEM IN RED!

"There's been a failure in the pod bay doors. Lucky you weren't killed."

The woman is trying to break me!

The recruiter from the Undisclosed Internet Service Provider™ called me today. I got excited because I heard that people were getting calls offering them the position.

"Is it good news?"

"Well, it's not good news yet."

The woman is killing me. Aparently they were unable to get in touch with one of my references (the old boss)and they need another.

Jesus H Christ! I gave her three more and I know that she talked to two of them before I left for work.

Now we wait............again.

The suspense is killing me.

As I was coming into work last night 'Toby' stopped me. "The Undisclosed Internet Service Provider™ called me about you today."

"Really? That's great, what did you say?"

"Lied through my teeth."

"Cool, thanks."

Must be a good sign that they called one of my references, don't ya think? Now I just have to worry about the other one. Unfortunately since I only ever worked for one other company in the last 10 years, they wanted to talk to my old boss. Long story short, he fired me.

I can't say right now but despite how we ended things, I believe he will give me a good reference.

Now we wait.

Things that make you go...hmmmm.

I spend a lot of time in front of this computer, and every time I think I have seen it all, I realize I never will. I have been on here a long time and I like to consider myself jaded but there is always something that makes me say WTF? Maybe it is because people are so bombarded with information 24/7 that everything is becoming boring. We are desensitized by the onslaught.

I was watching Gene Simmons Family Jewels the other night and they were in Vegas. What the hell is going on with Carrot Top? He's like Chucky....all cute at the beginning and now he is horror movie scary.

He was so fun to watch, all goofy hair, gangly arms and legs. Now he is just a freak show, you can't take your eyes off him. I kept waiting for his arms to pop or somethibng. Reminds me of those body builder chicks who's faces get all distorted. [Shiver]

I came across this the other night while searching for movies, R. Kelly - Trapped In The Closet Chapters 13-22???? Are you kidding me? Would someone just pull the trigger on this idiot already?

Wading in the shallow end of the gene pool.

"Thank you for calling the Undisclosed Technical Support Team™ my name is blah blah blah..."

"I am trying to put a vertical line in my document and I can't do it."

"Ok, just click on INSERT then SHAPE and you will see an icon that when you roll your mouse over it will say LINE."

"Ya, but that one is diagonal." Are you kidding me?

"Uh, only if you make it diagonal. It's a straight line tool...you can make it go any way you like."

"For real?" Give me strength.

"Thank you for calling the Undisclosed Technical Support Team™ my name is blah blah blah..."

"My son was messing around with the computer and when I opened LookOut Quick, it asked me if I wanted it as my default. I thought that was a weird thing to ask, I of course said yes. Now all my email are gone! All of them!"

"Are you sure you were using LookOut Quick before?"

"Ya,"

"Positive? Not LookOut?"

"Absolutely." After ten minutes of back and forth, me asking another way and her swearing up and down that she uses LookOut Quick, she finally yells to her husband.

"Honey? What email do we use?"

He yells back, "LookOut." She is silent.

I pretend I didn't hear him. "Just for fun lets open LookOut."

She clicks on it, "Ok, but I am sure I use LookOut Quick but..." Then I hear her singing, "Hal-le-lu-jah, Hal-le-lu-jah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hal-le-eh-lujah!" and she doesn't stop till she finishes.

"So, all your email is there?"

"Ya, now I have to go apologize to my son."

And another thing...

My friend Bunnie is vacationing on D'Nile.

"My doctor put me on two new medications, TWO!"

"Why?"

"My sugar is way up, [insert whiney voice here] He told me I have to give up sugar. But I told him [and here] it's summer, there is ice cream [yup, here too] and ice cold pepsi..." I zone out at that point. He is clearly being unreasonable, demanding that she give up the very things that make her most happy.

"Bunnie, he isn't doing it just to be mean. It's called diabetes. It's not personal."

She looks at me like Hammy from Over the Hedge as if to say, "But I love the cookie!"

What is your cyborg name?

Get Your Cyborg Name

Ha Ha....Cool.

I know, I have a problem.

78%How Addicted to Blogging Are You?

And according to Google:

And I am a Mac.

Lets address the Mac superiority complex. I hear it all the time.

"Mac's don't get viruses."

True, but considering Apple sales typically represent less than 5 percent of the overall U.S. personal computer market what virus author is going to waste their time making a virus for the Mac OS?

"My Mac does not crash."

I believe you that the Mac OS is more stable, and it stands to reason. Most computer crashes occur because of a compatibility issue between hardware and software. Apple makes the operating system and the hardware it sits on, there is no issue. Whereas a PC might have a dozen different companies under the hood. I do not believe, however, that you never have a problem with the Mac.

"70.2 percent of Mac users online have a college degree."

Well they have to don't they? Mac's are expensive and you typically cannot upgrade them without selling your first born. For a couple hundred bucks I can be internet ready on a new PC.

"You guys suck, I am gonna buy a Mac!"

"Fill yer boots. You will still have to deal with Orange if you want decent software."

I love it when I have to tell the Apple users that Orange no longer supports LookOut Quick for the Mac. It was a free program for email, Orange gave it away to Mac users because Apple didn't make an email program. They have less than 40 software titles. Finally Orange got fed up and created En.tou.r.age. I hear the new Mac OS has a mail app included now, but they are still pissed that we don't give away shit for free anymore.

Not all Mac users are in love with the Mac experience.



If you can afford a Mac, give 'er. I might buy one myself if I win the lottery.