Xmas: Exterior Illumination My First Attempt

I'm obviously no Clark W Griswold (I can't even afford to be an elf).  Well anyway, I went to Target a couple of days ago for some Xmas shopping and decided that if it cost less than $20, I would put some lights up where I am currently staying.  I got two sets of Philips C9 LSD lights.  Did Target sell used lights as new, I have my suspicions?  Then I put them up on existing nails - I couldn't figure out the gutter clips (or reach them).  Here are the horrible results (hopefully)

My Computer Went Psycho: Part II

Yes, about a week ago my computer started displaying problems.  i was greeted one day with a horrible image on my screen.

My Crappy Xmas Decorating Job 2012

Here are some bad pictures.  i wish the page would stay the way i want it to, oh well.  Why can i upload with Google Chrome but not IE 10 today?  

My Surface RT Report: November 2012

Another month has come and gone.  I have been enjoying my MSFT Surface RT tablet. So, how are things going on the Surface front.  The surface may not be lighting retail on fire (allegedly), but did anyone really expect it to with limited distribution channels?  I really liked my Zune and so far I really like my Surface. 

My Computer Went Psycho

Well today my pc went psycho.

I have been having issues lately with viruses/Trojans.  Well, my Computer was in standby - when I tried to access it, I got this page with the FBI logo saying my computer had been locked due to distribution of copyrighted material or porn.  To unlock it they wanted me to pay $300 through a pay service I have never heard of.

I think I would remember doing anything illegal.  I just tried to remove a Trojan earlier.  I have been having issues for weeks with what might have been a browser hijacker.

Window Security Essentials isn't a great security measure, apparently.

To make matters worse, my surface keyboard doesn't want to work now.  So I guess I will be online less (stupid Comcast gateway) and at the library more .  

my Surface RT, One Month Later

Has it really been a month already?  One month ago today (October 26th), i bought my Microsoft Surface RT.  So how have things been?

My Surface Report: October 2012

Well, i have now had a Microsoft Surface RT tablet for about three weeks (since October 26th).  So what have i been doing all of this time with it?

The Story of My Surface

So, here is the question... why did i buy a new Microsoft Surface RT (32GB, no touch cover - yet) over some of the other tablets in the market.  Good question. 

Basically, i have been thinking about getting a tablet for several years now.  My top three choices were: Microsoft Surface RT, Kindle Fire HD and Google Nexus 7 (16GB).  At one point i was even considering getting a Blackberry Playbook.  i was dismayed when i found out that Microsoft would be charging more for the Surface RT than the Asus/Google Nexus 7 and the Kindle Fire HD combined.  Yes, i think it was at least $100 more than it should have been (but the price isn't going to drop in the next 3 months or so, probably longer)

Well, one day i was kind of bored and had a little time on my hands (ok Surface/Windows 8 launch day).  i had found out a couple of days earlier that they actually had a Microsoft Store in walking distance (not sure if it is a real store or pop-up).  So, i walked down there (3 miles) or so to check out the surface and take some notes.  Well, i got there and had a little hands-on time with the Surface RT.  It was exactly as i expected it.  It is a relatively smooth experience with an easy gesture system (though there is a bunch of stuff i don't know how to do). 

i actually expected the Surface RT to be sold out (especially the base model - which i got).  i went in there and took some notes on the tablet.  i was also interested to test drive another Windows RT tablet too, the Asus Vivo (which would have been my fallback RT tablet choice).  That was a nice tablet too.  However, upon briefly leaving the store some employee asked me if he could help me with anything else.  i said something to the effecet of "not unless you accept cash".  The question i wanted to ask was about pre-paid cards and apps.  It turns out they did.  Who knows why i was carrying a relatively large sum of cash with me at the time... 

Well, i bought the tablet and then took the long journey back to the place i was staying (if it can't survive a 3.2 mile walk it was never meant to be).  Now i am just getting acquainted with the tablet.  i still have my share of questions like: how do i tell when it is fully charged and whether or not there were any pre-paid solutions to buy apps (i wish Xbox points). 

Surface RT and Comcast/Arris TG862 Do We Have a Problem?

Recently, my Surface RT has had some problems connecting to the internet here.  Some days i cannot connect at all (2 or 3 so far) and today the connection just dropped out on me. 

i am bringing up the specter of the the piece of garbage Arris TG862 (or at least with the horrible Comcast firmware).  Basically, my Xbox 360 S had similar problems connecting to the internet.  At first i could connect easily, then things got dicier (until i couldn't connect it to the internet at all).  After Binging it (i could have Googled it, but they don't let me "earn" MSFT points), i learned that the gateway (Arris TG862) and my Xbox 360 S were not compatible.

Maybe Microsoft products and the gateway just don't get along.  i am not saying there is a definite issue (at least known), i am just ranting against a probabe reason.

If you wanted to get Comcast internet, i would consider telling them to forget it if they offer you the Arris TG862 gateway (used for Triple Play).  Well, that is unless you have your own router and have it put in Bridged Mode (but they charge for that).  They do have decent speeds, however some of the wireless connection stuff is kind of a nightmare.

Edit: November 9th.  Well, as i expected i haven't been able to connect my Surface to the internet for several days now.  i guess it is a good thing that the library has free wi-fi.  Just say no to the Arris TG862 gateway if you want Comcast Triple Play. 

Update 2: I don't know if it was a Surface RT firmware update or what, but I have been able to connect for at least the last week.  Great, I just jinxed the connection. 

Halloween Pictures 3: This Time There will be Bad Pictures

Who stabbed that glowstick

Welcome to part three of my pictoral series of bad Halloween pictures.  Halloween is my favoirte holiday.  If you could just have Halloween with Xmas presents, it would be the perfect holiday.

Halloween Pictures 2: More Bad Pictures

Ok, so the last post got kind of slow with picture uploads so i decided to make a second post.  That and i took a few more pictures.  My alleged parental unit's pumpkin was badly framed.  Hopefully i remedied that a little.  However, it wasn't easy since the design of the pumpkin seems to be facing down.  The pumpkin i carved was so much more photogenic.

My Bad Halloween Pictures

As you may know, taking pictures in low light situations is kind of a pain in the neck.  Taking low light pictures without a tripod (and without a good low light lens) is insane.  Anyway, here are some of my attempts.  As usual, some look almost decent on the camera, some almost look usable on my computer and some are just horrible.  Let's start....

So Why Did i Get a Microsoft Surface Tablet and stuff

As i may have mentioned before... my top three tablet choices were (in order): Microsoft Surface RT, Kindle Fire HD and Google Nexus 7 (16GB).  Yes, the Surface base model was more than both of those 7 inchers combined.  Well, i guess on specs it also had the same amont of RAM, the same amount of storage (sort of Windows RT/Office surely take up more memory) as those combined too.  However, the Surface also has a USB port and a microSD card slot - the other two tablets do not. 

i do not currently have the type cover (though i tried it out at the Microsoft store and it worked fairly well).  If you want to use the Office Home and Student 2013, i would highly recommend getting the type cover (or something similar).  i guess it was nice that i also got another 3 GB from SkyDrive (i think i am up around 28GB now). 

First of all, why did i chose RT over Android (Apple was never a consideration, especially with how high they priced their "mini").  Basically i view Android as kind of a fragmented mess.  i also view it mostly as a smart phone platform.  In the wild you have all kinds of different Android devices running all kinds of different OSes.  You can see gingerbread, honeycomb, ice cream sandwich, jellybean, key lime pie (not yet).  i still see this as kind of a mess. 

i may be off base here, but when i looked at Windows RT i saw a slightly more normal OS.  i viewed it as something that could still be supported 3 or so years from now with minimal change (outside updates).  Who knows, Android could be up to Orange Sherbet by then.  

Yes, i know that the Windows Store is behind on the sheer quantity of apps.  This doesn't really bother me.  You are basically comparing a "mature" ecosystem (like Android or Apple) to a new service launch.  i also like the more curated Windows Store to the "wild, wild west" that i see as Android.  There is heavy pirating, maliscious code, etc.  That is why i found Amazon's App Store more interesting than Google Play. 

Now if Microsoft would only give me a pre-paid solution to buy apps (and the apps on the Windows store seem slightly more expensive).  Then again if i upgraded my PC to Windows 8, maybe i could use apps on a tablet and a PC.  There is a pretty good offer from MSFT to upgrade online for $39.99. 

Speaking of apps, how many are currently available for my Surface RT (there were 98 games on launch day)... 
* Games 98 / 91
* Social 87/59
* Entertainment 76 /99
* Photo 93 / 47
* Music/Video 81 / 67
* Sports 90 /67
* Books/Reference 78 / 82
* News/Weather 44 / 80
* Health/Fitness 85 / 45
* Food Dining 72 / 45
* Lifestyle 80 / 73
* Shopping 24 / 18

Well, that is what was listed on my Surface RT today at (10:30 AM).  So, overall 908 games listed categorically in Top New and 773 listed in Top Free.  The apps will come, i guess it is just a matter of time. 

Update: That number appears at least a little off, i didn't realize that the category titles were clickable (which shows every app).  There are currently about 2,768 apps available for my Surface RT (2,244 free).

"Details"

Relative Size: Microsoft Surface RT vs 15.6" Toshiba notebook computer

 



Camera Sample (used indoors, looks better here than on my computer - soft and blurry):

 



 

Kickstand (from side, also USB port, video output port and charging port):

 





Issues:

* Pre-paid app option?
* Lack of apps (which may be a good thing for me right now)
* Charging, unable to tell when it is fully charged (no indication that i know of on the charger).  So, how can i tell when/if the Surface is fully charged.  It does charge quickly (i think) which is nice
* Cameras: not really usable for many things (hopefully good enough for future barcode scanning app, but i do have a DSLR
* The Surface RT is an absolute fingerprint and dust magnet. 

My New "Toy" - Scratching the Surface

Ok, maybe i should quit using the term "scratching the surface".  That would be a good hint if you want to guess what my new "toy" is. 

Happy Halloween, my trick or treat

Well, Halloween is coming soon (about time).  Yes there are still 5 days remaining until that magical day.

i decided (impulsively, with research) to take a little walk today.  Little = 3+ miles each way.  Um, the ghouls and evil spirits made me do it - yeah that's the ticket.  Well, if i did anything that is.  

Well, i may have did something stupid and/or evil today.  No, this does not involve ritualistic animal sacrifices of any kind (or the human equivalent) - though maybe those would be fun. 

My New Paperweight?

So i have been having trouble connecting my Xbox 360 to the Internet recently (stupid Comcast and the Arris all-in-one gateways - TG862).  So, i purchased something i hope will not turn into a semi-expensive paperweight.

Basically, i went out and spent a bunch of money (strangely freed up now that Microsoft decided not to price their Surface RT Tablets cheaper) on a solution that i hope is more than temporary.  i went to Office Depot and bought a Linksys wireless bridge (WES601N).  If you don't know a bridge device will allow me to plug ethernet enabled devices into the bridge and connect to the wireless network here.  i hope this will work, but there is still the underlying problem of the Comcast/Arris all-in-one.  i just wanted to trick my console into thinking it had a wired connection. 

Now if i get another ethernet cable (not easy to find at Office Depot), i can also hook up my blu-ray player.

The set-up was supposed to be push button simple (push the WPS button on the router then on the bridge).  Of course things can never go that easily for me.  i tried a couple of times unsuccessfully.  Then i just connected the wireless bridge through ethernet to my computer and entered the default address for the bridge (http://169.254.1.250) into the browser.  Eventually it worked and i could enter the rest of the information.  To my surprise, i hooked it up to my Xbox 360 (via ethernet) and it worked.  How long it works worries me a little (hopefully the next 8 months or so).  i would kind of like it not to turn into an expensive non-functioning paper-weight.   

So i Walked a Little on Columbus Day

Columbus Day, is it a real holiday?  No, not even a little bit.  It should not be celebrated by anyone at any time anywhere ever. 

Any way... on Columbus Day (the non-holiday it is) i went on a mini trek with one of my alleged sisters.  i took my camera with me.  Guess what that means... more blurry pictures taken in full auto mode.  You may hold your applause until the end.

 

 

By far the most vicious (non-human) creature i saw that day

 

 



What i Woke Up to This Morning

What exactly did i wake up to this morning?  The real answer is a whining, licking quadruped (at 3 AM).  However, this is somewhat more interesting. 

Yes, nameless personage of no historical significance, it does exist.

i guess there might be .01-.10" on the ground.  i don't think this counts because it didn't stick on the road. 

A Tale of Two Halloween Candy Bags: a Breakdown (sort of)

i went to Target today to pick up a season of  a show on DVD (of course they have one of the worst prices for it - but i didn't feel like walking the extra 1.25-1.5 miles to get it).  While i was there i decided that my candy supply was getting depleted.  The last bag i bought was a 200 piece mini bag featuring Butterfingers, Baby Ruths and Nestle Crunches.  i bought it on September 18th and i only have 35 pieces left. 

Target had a promotion where if you bought two bags priced at $9.99 each you would get a $5 gift card.  These bags of candy retail at Walmart for about $8.88, so i guess it is an ok deal if you factor in the gift card (actually $15 vs $17.76 if the gift card is included). 

i Saw My First 3D Movie

So, Friday was a loooooooooong day for me.  However, i did go to the movie theatre. 

What i saw was a questionable PG movie call ParaNorman.  Questionable due to some of the content - like a corpse, ghosts, mild violence.  It did reference some monster movies in subtle ways.  i guess it was an OK/average movie.  It wasn't really funny or anything like that (there were some jokes, maybe i just wasn't receptive that day).  This is the kind of movie i would wait for in the library rather than buying it. 

Microsoft Surface RT Tablet Post (Because i'm Bored)

Yes, this is another tablet related post.  That is fair warning.  Microsoft's forthcoming tablet the Microsoft Surface RT is allegedly coming between October 26-29th.  Little is currently known about the tablet (except the release date).  So here are a few of my jumbled thoughts.concerns on the matter...

Tablets Revisited... Yet Again

i have been kicking around the idea of purchasing a tablet for a while now (somewhat to save my notebook computer a little bit).  Mainly for stuff like email and light web surfing.  i also kind of like the idea of having a portable media device. 

So, what are my current thoughts on tablets... 

Losery Post of Loserdom: Videos Watched This Summer Vacation

So, i guess i watched a couple of movies between June and September (probably).  In fact i watched DVD in different time zones. 

So i watched a bunch of movies (some of them, not so much).  Some were OK, some were bad, some were preachy.  Ok the ones i kind of liked ...  Lockout, Man on a Ledge, Tucker and Dale vs Evil, The "bad"... The Fourth Kind, Cutback: One Life One Decision, John Carter, Joyful Noise, Little Matchmakers, Red Tales, Shark Night, Something Borrowed, We Need to Talk About Kevin,

How i Spent My Summer Vacation

Another summer has come and gone (i wish).  Labor Day is approaching (i hate that "holiday") and many schools in the area are starting (or already did).  So, what did i do on my summer vacation this year?  Well i....

July 4th - i Suck at Using a DLSR 2

So, yesterday was some kind of a holiday (or something in the US), i think.  i don't view it as a birthday for a country (really, still celebrating after 200 years - i though females stopped having birthdays when they hit 29.  Countries are often referred to in feminine ways).   So, i view it as a firework holiday.  To paraphrase a Simpsons show... what better way to celebrate the birthday of a country than by blowing up a small part of it.

Moyer vs Hultzen: A Minor League Baseball Game

i guess that it was inevitable, i went to another baseball game.  This game was a minor league game between the Tacoma Rainiers (they aren't very good) and the Las Vegas 51s (the alien-y team).  This was supposed to be the pitching duel between the past and the present Mariners pitching... the veteran (49 years old) Moyer vs last year's second pick Danny Hultzen.  So here are some of my impressions of the game (that took place yesterday).  These will be somewhat more centered on the Rainiers since i don't know anything about the 51s (outside of Moyer)

So i Went on A Cruise to Alaska (Maybe)

Apparently i went on a vacation last week (to Alaska).  i think it was something called a cruise.  A cruise is kind of like an expensive moving hotel stay (where the hotel sometimes bounces around).  Moving is, apparently, an operative word here.  The ship was really, really moving.  That kind of made it hard to walk and keep your balance. 

My Vacation Begins

So, my alleged cruise to Alaska vacation got off to a start...

Hello from Izzy (the Dog)

So i have been playing around with my Canon PowerShot A70 again (that lens sure attracts a lot of dust).  Izzy the dog says hello.  That is all. 

 

Hypothetical DSLR Pictures If i Had One (which i don't)

So, i decided to create a post based off of some hypothetical pictures i would have taken to try out a DSLR - which by the way i do not have.  Compare these with the post "Using a DSLR: My First Time".  Although in this theoretical post, i would be using much closer shots (not a slow "zoom" lens).  It would have been a sunny-ish to bright overcast sky.  This would have been the kit lens (if i actually had a camera, which i don't) and no flash, taken in auto mode.

Focal Length: 55mm, ISO 400

ISO 900

Focal Length: 40mm, ISO 400

 

ISO 3200, in a dark/shaded area under the deck, the reflection definitely is not me.  Maybe the light was on in the laundry room

So i Have Been Thinking About a DSLR

Well, i guess it had to happen sometime.  i have recently been considering getting a DLSR (camera if you didn't know).  Apparently i may be going on a cruise to Alaska (AK) in a few weeks. 

So why would i consider a DSLR (digital single-lens reflex) camera?

Doomsday 2012 - Bring It On

Yes, i am one of the people who is hoping that the "world ends" on December 21, 2012.  Is that a little fatalistic, you bet. 

Canadian for Beginners?

So, apparently, i may be going on a cruise to Alaska in a little over a month.  There may be some little stop over in a place called Canada.  i think it might be a country.  The Canadian customs and language seem foreign to me.  Basically all i learned about Canada i learned from popular culture (like Candian Bacon and Strange Brew).

So i Went to A Baseball Game

Well yesterday i went to a baseball game.  To get the whole "Denver" experience, i sat in the purple row - the row in the upper deck that is one mile up (Denver kind of fudges the mile high status by a little).  There are actually pretty good sight lines there (i kind of wish i had a decent camera there, well for a while).  i just so "lucked" into seeing Jamie Moyer pitch.  i liked Jamie Moyer when he was in Seattle.  However, he had a few things working against him in this start - a hot day and high altitude. 

Losery Post of Loserdom (LPL): Videos Watched In March 2012

So, another month has come and gone (mercifullly?).  What have i been watching or J* watching this month...

Losery Post of Loserdom: Videos Watched in April 2012

Well another month has come and gone (only x-1 more months to go).  Apparently my last post of movies watched got messed up somehow - i did have the list there, it doesn't seem to be there anymore.  Must have been a posting/saving glitch

Anyway, what you've all been waiting for... Videos "watched" in April 2012 (please hold down your Better Off Dead math class level of enthusiasm until the end of the post). 

Downbeat Playlist for No Reason

So, i should probably post every once in a blue moon.  Here is another post of downbeat songs - for no reason.  For some reason, my playlist always seem to approach 90+ songs (over 6 hours) - but this will be abridged.  i guess it was just the way i was feeling today...

Happy Friday the 13th: Part 2

Happy Friday the 13th  - that is unless you have  friggatriskaidekaphobia, which is fear of Friday the 13th.  According to wikipedia.org, Spanish culture views Tuesday the 13th as unlucky - que extrano.  In France, apparently, it is Friday the 17th. 

For some, Friday the 13th (and the number 13) are seen as bad luck.  Since i have no good look, i figured maybe Friday the 13th could be a bizarro day - where maybe, just maybe, i would have a better chance of having not as bad luck.  i learned from Married With Children to avoid saying stuff is "good or improving". 

However, some see Friday the 13th as an overrated horror movie series (i've only seen the first two). 

Hopefully a black cat won't cross my path - i dislike that black cat.  However, a black dog has crossed my paths many times already. 

Apparently, i already missed the first Friday the 13th this year (January).   Future Friday the 13ths are: July, September 2013 and December 2013 (if the last two happen - figers crossed that they won't).  i knew that the Calendar section on Outlook was good for something.   

My Dream Tablet: Tablets Revisited

It is funny how spending 45 minutes in a library (also known as wi-fi hotspot) with nothing to do got me thinking about Tablets again.  If i could get a Fire for under $150, i might do it.  So how is this post different than my previous ones?  Well this one is what my current dream tablet (based on price) would be like.

Happy Easter

So another "holiday" is upon us.  This holiday is called Easter.  Once again, a holiday that the Christians superimposed on top of a pagan holiday (the pagans had the best holidays).  There is some degree of debate as to whether the Germanic pagan goddess Eostre existed (the supposed namesake of Easter).

Playlist: Music to Lose the Lottery To

Well, last night the world record lottery jackpot was drawn (MegaMillions - $640 Million)... Once again i didn't win (damn).  i matched the MegaBall on one ticket (yeah $2).  This got me thinking what songs am i going to play next time the lottery goes north of $300 Million. 

Delusional Daydream 2: What If i Won This Lottery

i was wondering what i would do if i won the MegaMillions jackpot on Friday March 30th.  For those of you outside the US, MegaMillions is a lottery (kind of like a national lottery).  The jackpot is currently at a record $500 million (or $.5 Billion if you prefer).  The cash option is currently $359.4 million (before taxes).

Losery Post of Loserdom: Videos Watched in February

i don't really have a life (and too much time on my hands).  One of these days i will have to get around to saving blog posts in word (i don't know why i should - there is nothing worth saving in here).  So, what did i "watch" in February 2012 (while not playing video games)?  One of these days, i will have to do a post of all the movies i remember ever seeing (theatre, DVD, TV, etc). 

Seattle's New Arena: It Probably Won't Happen

So, i have been reading (a little bit) recently about Chris Hansen's purported desire to build an arena. 

The plan's massive catch is the desire for both an NBA team (which he would try to buy) and an NHL team (which Hansen seems to have no interest in buying).  i read that as an IFF contidion (if and only if).  i really don't see that many relocation candidates on the market in either sport. 

Hiding From Social Media in Plain Sight

Am i an invisible hominid?  i think so. 

So i Have Been Thinking About Tablets Again...

For some reason the concept of eventually getting a Tablet PC came up in my mind again.  i have been looking at the current crop of tablets on the market.  What did i find out?  i found out that the tablet with all the features i would like to have is not on the market at my price range.  So, if i do wind up eventually purchasing one, i would have to compromise on some things.  Here is some of the criteria i used

If Seattle got an NBA/NHL team (Delusional Daydream)

i visited a Seattle Mariners fan blog recently (initialled LL) and they had a post on what to name a team if Seattle got an NBA and NHL franchise (speculated to be Sacramento Kings and Phoenix Coyotes). 

That got me thinking.. what would i do if i hit a massive Powerball/MegaMillions jackpot (easily clearing $150 million after taxes).  Now you see why i used the term "delusional daydream".  If i had that much money, it would be kind of fun to own part of a sports franchise (minority interest). 

Ketina: 11 Year Old Monster

What evil lurks in the heart of darkenss of an 11 year old girl?

My Blogger Stats: Part 2

So, i was looking at my Blogger stats again today... In my last post, i listed the 54 or so "countries" that i had gotten page views from.  It is now up to 56  (Switzerland and another one).  But, there has to be more than page views in the stats - right?  Well it turns out there is. 

February: Plea for Slight Name Change

February is one of the most annoying months to say out loud.  It is also kind of a freak month (having the fewest days).  Here are some things i don't get/like about Febraury as it currently stands.

* Why does it only have 28 (or 29 days)?  There are 7 months with 31 days, couldn't 2 of them be downgraded to 30 days?  It would make more sense (at least to me). 
* i am not a big fan of leap year either.  Apparently that occurs because the Earth's revolution takes about 365 days and 6 hours (wikipedia.org).  i would rather be "off" by a couple of days that remember that most 4 year periods will have a leap year.  The calendar is not exactly infallable anyway. 

February is a stupid month name.  i propose eliminating the first "R".  Most people don't pronounce it anyway.  Lets anglicize the month name a little more. 

Febraury Snow Storm

So i'm a little late with this post.  There was a snowstorm here on Friday and Saturday.  The snow storm, happening in February, was given the highly original name "Febraury Snow Storm".

Super Bowl 2012: My Reaction

So the Super Bowl is over (big deal in the US).  Two football teams (the US version) played each other in a relatively boring game.  So how did i feel about this sloppily played Super Bowl?

* This was Super Bowl XLVI (or 46).  After a while using Roman Numerals gets kind of pretentious.  i guess this might be the only real use for Roman Numerals anymore. 
* New York vs. Boston - i can't think of two cities i dislike more.  San Francisco vs Boston would have been better.
* Commericals: too many car commercials (though the best commercial in my opinion was the Ferris Bueller one that leaked before the Super Bowl).  For the most part, the commercials sucked.
* Football (american) is one of the games i consider kind of boring.  i mean the sheer amount of time they spend killing the clock is insane.  You have to love sports when you have a one game championship or playoff (sarcastic)
* The game was played fairly sloppy.  It wasn't that exciting of a game (though the game was decided by 4 points concluding in a last second chance to change the outcome). 

Losery Post of Loserdom: Videos Watched This Month

i may not be the most loosery guy here (or maybe i am).  However, i decided to make a post of wasted time.  Maybe i have too much time on my hands - or any other number of strange cliches.

Countries i've Gotten Hits from on Blogger

Way back on April 22, 2011 (a simpler time), i did a post based on the countries i have gotten hits from in the Audience Section of the Blogger Dashboard.  i came up with hits from 25 or so different countries. 

The $2 PowerBall Ticket

This refers to the mutli-state lottery game in the US called PowerBall.  i know i have numerous foreign hits - so bear with me...

Starting January 15, 2011, changes to PowerBall's odds and payouts will be enacted.  i was wondering if the new matrix would be a better deal.  It turns out that the cost increasing from $1 to $2 had a big impact on my results.  i decided to compare MegaMillions, PowerBall (now) and PowerBall (January 15, 2011 and after). 

My 2012 Resolutions

So, another year has started (after an annoyingly bad 2011).  If Hollywood is correct, it could be one of the last years for humanity (i think the movie timeframe for the start of the calamity is between July 28 - August 11th).

No, i do not believe in resolutions as they are mostly a form of self-delusion.  However, in that mold i decided to make a couple.

1) Win at least $30 million after taxes in the lottery - spending less than $150 on lottery tickets on the year
- if win lottery a bunch of other "resolutions" become active - like purchase a house
2) Video Games: increasing gamerscore to at least 37,000 (currently at 34K+, if i win lottery increase to 100K)
3) Save at least $555 during the year
4) Sleep away at least 20% of the year