It’s ours!by Jim
21 May 2010
4:05 pm5
We closed on our house today! Here are our keys, as proof — keys to our very own house!
The Money is GONE!by Jim
18 May 2010
12:05 pm1
Well, I just finished wiring the most money I’ve ever spent in my life. We signed papers for our new home last Friday and today I called up my bank and had the money wired. I was a little surprised at how quickly it was gone. I had spent years saving it up and within seconds of hanging up the phone, I hit refresh on my browser and it was gone from my account. Scary.
Last night, Angie and I watched some DIY videos on laying laminate flooring and decided we ought to try doing it ourselves. We went down to the hardward store to look at what they’ve got. It was a fairly successful trip. We’ll keep you posted as we do the renovations in our new home (and, of course, include lots of pictures).
Approved!by Jim
7 Apr 2010
12:04 pm8
We found out yesterday that the short-sale offer we signed back in January was approved by the bank! We’re going to sign papers this afternoon to get things rolling (inspections, appraisals, etc.). I can’t believe how much you have to sign to buy a house.
Here is a picture I took just a minute ago of the property:
iSomethingby Jim
27 Jan 2010
10:01 am7
We’re just minutes away from Apple unveiling a new product. The rumors are that it will be a tablet — kind of like a really big iPhone. I have to admit, I’m excited about a new product like this. I’ve loved my iPod touch and think something with the same interface (only bigger) will likely be a great product. But please, Apple, don’t name it something with an ‘i’ in the front like iTablet or iSlate. How long ago was that cool? Let’s see… the iMac came out in the 90s. What does the ‘i’ stand for anyways? I think the name ‘iPod’ was catchy, and I understand the importance of branding, but I think it is time to move on. The release of the MacBook was very welcome news to me. (Very classy name, in my opinion.) Please don’t spoil a new product with a name from the wrong decade.
Isn’t Technology Cool?by Jim
15 Nov 2009
8:11 pm1
So here I am at 30,000 feet writing a blog post. I’m currently on a flight back to California after a short stay in Utah. Angie’s grandmother passed away a week ago and we came out for the funeral. It was good to see everyone, even though the circumstances were somber. Grandma’s husband passed away about thirteen years ago, so I’m sure she is much happier now.
While I was waiting to board the plane a girl was handing out little promo cards for free wifi on the flight. I graciously accepted one and now I am tapping away on my iPod in-flight. Very cool. They should have done this years ago.
My Camera is Backby Jim
24 Sep 2009
7:09 pm1
Back in August, my camera started acting a little funny. I’ve got a Canon Rebel XS that I got for Christmas last year. I have already taken hundreds and hundreds of pictures, and have enjoyed nearly every minute. Unfortunately, at a recent shoot on the Oakland Temple grounds, my camera started acting really funny. After taking a shot, it would give me a message that sounded something like this: “Err 99: Shooting not possible.” And then the camera wouldn’t let me do anything until I turned it off and back on. Anyway, I shipped it away to Canon and today when I got home, it was waiting for me in a brown box. Yeah!
Here is an example of what I mean by “acting really funny”: This is a normal shot.
Here is what it would occasionally do instead of giving me an Err. 99 (but then, it would give me the error in the very next shot).
See what I mean? Funky. I’m just glad it works now.
Hydrogen on Wheelsby Jim
28 May 2009
5:05 pm1
Today I got to drive a hydrogen fuel-cell powered car. Justin and I went to downtown Livermore to the event and got to test-drive a hydrogen Nissan. We only got to drive it half-way around the block, but it was still really cool. All of the hydrogen cars are actually hybrids; they are part fuel-cell, part electric. When the engine needs a little more oomph, there is a lithium ion battery that kicks in. Also, you get regenerative braking that charges the battery. Very cool.
For the geeks out there, it was a PEM hydrogen fuel cell. (That’s Proton Exchange Membrane, just in case you didn’t know that.) Check out the Wikipedia article for more cool stuff.
