Hodgepodge

I just came in from shoveling the driveway – again – three times in 10 days – 15 inches of snow in 15 days.

That is more snow than this area gets in a whole winter. Oh and the temp this morning – 11 degrees.

Yeah – we brought Chicago winter with us, the neighbors are probably getting the posse ready to burn us out.

Seriously though, this has been an unusual winter what with the severe cold snap a month ago and the large snow. On the other hand – we have not had the ice and sleet we have had the last couple winters – yet. I for one will take snow over ice any day.

So while we did not have “Snowmageddon” like the East Coast – we are struggling through a spot of unusual winter weather.

Since there has been so much on the news and internet about this I thought I would weight in.

First off – Toyota recalls are not a new thing. I worked at a Toyota dealer back in the 80’s. We had recalls back then, several over the years. Most were for minor things, a few more major.

The difference was then, they weren’t front page news, there was no internet and Toyota was not challenging Detroit for auto making supremacy.

Much of this is just the nature of information spewing today.

The sticking accelerators problem is not new either. Certain models had a floormat that was designed to stay in place (we all know how annoying it is when the floormat slides around) that used a fitting in the floor. If you jammed the accelerator down hard (like to pass), it would occasionally stick.

I had it happen a few times on the car I was given to drive. All I had to do was lift the pedal with my toe and it popped loose. I just learned not to jam it down. If I pushed it to the floor smoothly it wouldn’t stick.

Now I’m not saying that a recall isn’t necessary to fix the current issues since it could be more serious but to rake Toyota over the coals is strictly showmanship in my opinion and seems like sour grapes over the crumbling of the US automotive industry.

As for the delay of the recalls, it takes a lot of investigation and fact finding to determine exactly what is a problem and what isn’t. Mis-information is rampant when these problems begin. Customers, dealers and everyone involved give varying details about what happened and before you decide to spend millions and go through the PR ringer, you want to be sure you are doing the right thing.

So Lighten up DOT – and make sure you don’t make a bad situation worse.

And no, I don’t own a Toyota or stock.

After two days of running around getting feed and other necessities, we tackled the task of mounting the cages on the back wall of the chicken coop so that they are at shoulder height. This makes it much easier to reach the water bowls and clean the cages. It also allows for more of the poop and pee to fall to the hay on the floor below making for easier cleanup (into the garden).

I must say it looks more neat and professional – almost like we know what we’re doing.

Since we were in Chicago this past weekend to see family and check on the old house, which has not received any offers yet (ugh), we caught up on the holiday releases we have been wanting to see:

The Frog and the Princess - A triumphant return to ink and paint animation from Disney. The story was great, the Randy Newman score was terrific and the detailed portrayal of early 20th century New Orleans was amazing. Thank you John Lasseter for bringing back hand drawn animation and making it of a quality rivaling the days of The Lion King, Hunchback and other great films of decades past. I hope we see more of this.

Sherlock Holmes - When the trailers first ran for this my thought was - interesting looking film but not the Sherlock Holmes I remember. I then started to recall the actual stories Doyle wrote and remembered that they were much different than the movies I had seen, especially the Rathbone films. I liked this movie. The story was interesting and the London street scenes were very gritty and likely more real than what we typically see. But the main joy of the film was the top-notch performances of Robert Downey Jr. and Jude Law. Law plays Watson as a smart and able character who does his best to avoid the ugly situations Holmes gets into but doesn't quite manage it. Downey plays Holmes as the eccentric, quirky, insecure, brilliant character from the books. Yes the physicality is probably a little over the top, but I would definitely go to another film with these two if it gets made (which I think is quite likely).

Avatar - Wow! I have never seen a film like this before. The film is so visually stunning (especially in 3D) that I found myself looking around the whole frame trying to catch it all. Sigourney Weaver is just the right mix of curmudgeon and brilliant scientist and Stephen Lang as the "go for the throat" military boss is a tour de force in my opinion. The story was somewhat predictable but did have me guessing in some places. The first half does drag a bit, but the second half makes up for it. I go to a movie to be entertained and this one was VERY entertaining. One of the few times a film that has been hyped this much delivers.

I now put my Roger Ebert hat away.

After spending over two years writing a first draft, reviewing and partially revising my first novel, I have decided that it is not that good. In an objective (or as objective as one can be with one's self) review, the story just is too pedestrian and too dull to be publishable.

So I have re-thought the premise and am coming at the book from a different angle. I will retain a lot of the characters from the original idea - although they will change a lot, and the underlying idea of the story will be similar, but the location and the plot will be considerably different.

It is hard to say goodbye to the original story but to invest more time in it seemed futile. So now that I have a new premise it's on to a new outline and some extra research and then writing.

Wish me luck.

After reading this article, I envision thousands of people duct taping cell phones to their ears and signing up for Mensa.

Tell me I'm wrong!

This article is an interesting look at how the decades old business model of network TV is changing - and rapidly at that. For people who get their video entertainment via cable or satellite this means a little higher bill (nothing new there), but for people who receive free over the air broadcasts this could be a game changer.

As someone who watches an average of 10 hours of television a week (not counting DVD's or gaming), I personally would like to see a completely pay-per-view system - if the fee per program was reasonable - say 25 to 50 cents per show. Then instead of paying $40 or $50 a month for my satellite I would pay $10-20 a month. I would expect a small monthly fee to have the service, say around $10 a month, but that still would be cheaper and let's face it; of the 100+ channels we get on our plan we only watch 10 regularly and another 10 occasionally.

Of course this kind of plan would be tough on heavy watchers because they might rack up bills of $100 a month but like most things the more you use something the more you should pay. This will never happen because the providers want a steady, predictable amount of revenue and this would not provide that. It would also I am sure, cause a lot of marginal channels to go away.

The trickiest ting for pay providers to do is balance pricing with service -each subscriber has a break point where they feel it is not worth it and when the price goes over that, they will cancel. Considering the availability of Internet programing (which is free or pay-per-view), DVD's (either $5 bargain bins titles or Netflix), and video gaming - the whole paradigm of television is rapidly changing watching a sitcom or hour long drama is not the main use of the TV anymore.

It was a very nice Christmas here at the farm. Did dinner at Mom's and opened presents then went back there on Saturday for pizza (with a stop at WalMart for the after Christmas bargains).
jgaleckas's daughter was here which is special for us and Mom but today we take her to St. Louis so she can take the train back to the Windy City and back to work tomorrow. Not sure when she will be back here but we will look forward to it.

We missed the bad weather which was good (just a lot or rain on Christmas Eve and enough snow Christmas morning to look good). And now it's just cold.

Tomorrow we get back to work on the shop and next week is Mom's surgery.

Been a bad few days here at the farm. I was sick on Saturday night/Sunday morning (which jgaleckas had to clean up -yuk) and I laid around Sunday semi-comatose. Monday I was better and we got some work done on the shop and then went into Mom's for dinner. Tuesday was Janice's turn but she had more fever and achy then I and less upset stomach. Her fever broke over night and she is feeling much better today.

I suspect we picked something up and the eye doctor last week since his office was very crowded with people coughing and such. This is why I am glad we are not around sick people much.

Rain today means not much work likely to get done on the shop unless we cut some panels under the new roof where it will be dry.

Tomorrow we pick up Tamara in St. Louis for her Christmas stay.

Looks like the bad weather will miss us to the north - YAY!

We have had Satellite Internet (SI) via HughesNet (HN)for about a month now; sufficient time to give an honest report of our experience. I am doing this because when someone mentions satellite internet the reaction is akin to eating something with six legs while it is still squirming. I admit there are some drawbacks to broadband beamed in from the heavens, but if you go into it with realistic expectations, you will find it is a viable option, especially when dial-up is the ONLY other alternative.

I will address the six main areas of complaints about satellite internet: Speed, Reliability, Latency, Threshold limits, Equipment, and Price.

( Details for those of you interested... )
Overall we are pleased with our service because we went in with realistic expectations, knew the limitations and have been able to work with them. Would I rather have DSL or Cable modem? . Definitely. Are they available here - no. Satellite internet is a viable option when your only other choice is dial-up, but because of the limitations DSL or cable is always a better way to go. My advice is if you are considering SI but have been scared away by the negative stuff you read, don't be. Just make sure you can live with the realities of it.

No not the skin disease, but the kind you put on the roof. What was even cooler was that the delivery was able t back the truck up to the low edge of the roof, and we drafted the ramp we use to get to the second floor door (stairs are on the to-do list) and jgaleckas and I could just carry them up the ramp. All 45 bundles are now on the roof! That is way easier than lifting from the ground.

It;s overcast and cold but dry so we will probably get some nailed down before the rain tomorrow - hopefully it will be light.

Since jgaleckas busted her butt yesterday finishing the roof panels in the waning moments of daylight, we took it a little easy today. We moved some boards from the ground outside into the newly roofed shop, moved 15 sheets of plywood and OSB from the Mousemobile into the shop and unloaded the trailer which has sat for a few weeks now while we focused on the roof.

While we did this, we started a fire in the fire pit that we made when we stayed in the shed (then we called it the "Cabin"). The fire was to burn the scraps we had left over form doing the roof. It was nice to have a warm spot to stand by when we took a break from the unloading and odd work.

Tomorrow the shingles delivered so we can have more fun!

After four months and too many trips around the state of Missouri for tests and Dr. visits, the second opinion surgeon feels Mom's gallbladder has to go.

He said that even though a few of the tests were inconclusive, after a thorough discussion, exam and review of the tests, there is an 80% chance that the surgery will relieve her pain. If not, it points to one or two other causes that can be rectified.

Even less invasive laproscopic surgery will probably be used, there is the increased risk factor of her age (80's). But the cardiologist has checked out her heart and it's good so that is less of a concern.

The ball is in Mom's court and I told her whichever she decides I will support the decision. I suspect she will opt for the surgery though, since the bad attacks are pretty bad.

It will be a less fun Christmas though as that is probably around when the surgery will be.

Thanksgiving day is over, the turkey has been consumed, the leftovers are nestled in the fridge and everyone has waken from the tryptophan induced malaise.

The Christmas season is in full swing - like it or not. The Black Friday shoppers have already stood in line for hours and have snapped up the "bargains" and done their best Arnold Schwarzenegger imitation trying to score this year's Turboman. Personally I never shop on Black Friday because I value my sleep time more than saving a few bucks buying something that may or may not be a bargain. I say this because a lot of the deals are not on the most current models or merchandise, often they are closeouts or other such things that would be going on sale in a few months anyway. This is especially true on tech stuff like BlueRay players and computers. Some are good deals and if you manage to score the very limited number of these then you get one attagirl (or attaboy)

Also the few holdouts that actually wait until the day after Thanksgiving to haul out the decorations and other accouterments will have them out now, the all Christmas music stations are pumping out the same Christmas songs you hear every year and that person (you know who you are) at the office will be wearing holiday stuff everyday at work.

Am I cynical - DUH! I am not Bah - Humbug but I do find that the commercialization of Christmas is tiresome and unfortunate. I understand that retailers are trying to make up for a dismal year all in one month and I understand the spirit of giving and making people happy, but it can be done so much simpler without the pressure of Christmas lists or finding the "perfect gift."

So I am making a suggestion for the holiday this year and every year; first remember why we have the season and make that the driving force behind your celebration of Christmas, second focus on your family and friends and re-connect and show them how much you value them over the ticky-tacky, and finally relax and just enjoy the season.

Feel free to forward this PSA.

Today jgaleckas and I were in Michigan to attend the final service our old pastor gave before retiring. His message was so moving and so personal to me that I had tears in my eyes and barely kept from breaking down and sobbing. We have attended services in a few different churches since the one Phil pastored closed for. No preacher has ever been able to touch me with his sermon's like Phil.

Janice was also very moved and at the thanksgiving lunch after the service, the comments from the congregation here in Michigan echoed similar thoughts. It is sad to think he will not be preaching anymore but I am happy that he is able to retire and do more things with his family.

Maybe the Lord will bless us with a church in Missouri with a pastor even close to Phil.

Tuesday was rain again so no work on the roof. Unpacked the van and went into town to take Mom shopping. Hopefully today the rain will let up enough to get some more trusses up.

Got back to the farm last night after driving through some heavy rain in the St. Louis area. As soon as we got out of the van we could hear the creek rushing and the rill beside the house was burbling pretty good.

jgaleckas Checked the rain gauge and it had 2 inches of rain in it. I talked to Mom and she said it probably all came since Sunday night.

The kitties were happy to have us back - all four were in the bed within 10 minutes of lights out.

I have wanted to see this ever since we saw the train in Chicago that Disney sent around the country to promote the film. I was not disappointed.

I have seen many adaptations of this film over the years and while many were quite good, none capture the sheer terror, darkness and joy of redemption that this film does. The ghost of Christmas future sequence is the scariest thing I have seen in a long time and had my heart pounding. Then the metamorphosis that Scrooge undertakes as he realizes he is still alive and it is Christmas Day is so joyous that I was in tears. Yes - it is that powerful.

Jim Carrey is spectacular as Scrooge and all three ghosts. He should be nominated for an Oscar as well as the film itself. The performance capture technology has advanced considerably since Polar Express (also written and directed by Robert Zemeckis) and the detail in the visuals is stunning. I was especially blown away by the subtlety of the facial movements including the eyes.

The dark nature and scariness of the film would, IMHO, not make it a good choice for very small children so be advised.

I especially recommend seeing it in 3D if you can as it adds a depth to the film that is breathtaking.

Go see this movie!

If you read this blog, you may have noticed that I haven't posted here in over two months. The reason for this is because since moving to the farm, we have had only slow dial-up internet access. Since jgaleckas and I share this connection, there is barely enough time to check email, get news and do essentials like check investments and pay bills, etc. Time for social networking has been limited to popping on Facebook a few times a week.

But that has changed now. How you may ask? Did we get cable modem ? Nope - we are 25 miles from the nearest cable installation. DSL? We are too far from the access point and since we are in the middle of the Mark Twain National Forest, the sparse population makes it a loser for a phone provider to upgrade our access point. Wireless Broadband? Naw, we are 15 miles from the nearest cell tower so we don't even get cell phone service let alone broadband. So how is it we have broadband? A dish, a satellite 22,000 miles away and a modem equals hi-speed internet -Yay!

You have probably heard that Satellite internet is a real pain but I believe it's an undeserved rap and after we have had it a while I will post on the experience.So far it is waaaay better than dial-up.

( Banal life details after cut )

Now that we have broadband I plan to be back on LJ regularly and enlighten you with details of life on the farm.

Happy Birthday to my best friend, companion and life partner jgaleckas.

May it be joy filled!