Old dog, new tricks

For an old school neanderthal like me, technology can be a challenge.  I spent part of the weekend trying to reprogram a new garage door opener.  The Caddy had a built in door opener so, when I sold her, I had to get a new remote.  Of course, they don't make the same kind as when I installed the garage door opener in '07, so I had to rely upon the latest and greatest remote.  Took several attempts at reprogramming before it finally took hold.  Nothing like the old days when I had to reprogram the door openers by manually setting the binary switches in both the opener and remotes.  

It just goes to show how much technology changes.  I had to go through our files to find the garage door opener instructions to figure out how to program the codes.  While going through the old warranty files, I pulled out all sorts of old instruction/warranties for stuff we have bought over the years.  A vacuum cleaner that is long gone.  The technical book on the Motorola flip phone we once had.  The original contract for the bag phone I bought back in '95.  Or the the high end stereo system I bought with my first Army paycheck back in 1978.  

I saved up my money to buy a modular system with an amp and tuner and tape deck.  Even got a direct drive turntable for my albums.  The CD player came later.  I wanted a really good sound system at the time and spent some good coin getting the pieces.  Started out with cassette tapes and eventually migrated over to CDs.  I made a ton of mix tapes to take on the road for long trips.  Lots of jazz and country music.  An eclectic selection of music collected over the years.    

What I find interesting that is how all of my old tapes, CDs, and records fit in the palm of my hand.  Technology can be really amazing to an old fart like me.    

I am still trying to figure out all the new buttons on the new Edge (still pondering her name, but Elvis is starting to grow on me).  Took me two days to figure out how to program the radio settings.  One really neat feature is the radio sync system.  The car will sync to my iPhone as soon as I get in.  I can not only talk and make calls without touching the phone, it will also play the music I have on the phone without being hooked to the car.  Pretty neat trick.    

I did get one project done this weekend that has been long in coming.  Finally got the new skylight installed on the trailer.  I kept thinking this was going to be a long, complex pain in the assets project but it actually turned out to be incredibly simple.  The new light fit like a glove and took almost no time to install.  I just wish all my projects were that easy.       

     

Technical difficulties

Been off line for a few days.  We lost the magic Friday night and were unable to access the net since a little while ago.  I did the normal diagnosis, reset the routers, called Comcast, had them reset the router, reclocked passwords, checked settings, checked the cables.  Bupkis.  The friendly, helpful, cheerful cable techy person (Susan) thought it was my router and said I needed a new one.  Not wanting to wait on a service technician come out on Tuesday, I unplugged the box and drove to the Comcast store for a replacement (done this before).  After a 45 minute wait in line (I think they get their service model from the post office), I got a new box that has the WiFi built in.  That means I no longer have to have a separate box for my wireless signal (HooAh!  One less piece of electronics on the desk!).  Brought it home, hooked it up and, drum roll please, still no internet.  At this point, I had to go check my supply of scotch and beer.  I attempted to futz with the set up for an hour or so and finally gave up for the night and sulked off to drown my sorrows in a movie.   I decided to tackle it again this morning and got on line with another tech operator (Ann) who sounded like she was talking from the bottom of a barrel.  After messing with the router for the umpteenth time, resetting the signal twice, I finally figured out that something must have mucked up my computer so I did a system recover/restore and Voilà! we have internet again.  I was even able to sync all our new mobile toys with the new router so we are now able to text/blog/e-mail from throughout the house (except the bathroom). Now I can go forth and play catch up on everyone's blogs and cyberstalk the kids.  

And speaking of the newlyweds, they are still exploring Scandinavia.  They've left Stockholm and headed west to check out a few fjords.  Junior left me his trip itinerary and I have Googled a few places and have to admit, I am mildly jealous.  Tomorrow they hare headed up the Flåm railway into Aurland for a few days.  I "borrowed" a few shots of the railway up into the mountains.  The Flåm is supposedly rated as one of the World's Top 25 Train rides with one of the steepest grades (for a normal gauge railroad).   

One of many waterfalls along the route

Flam Village

Aurlandsfjord

And they booked a couple of nights in a cabin in Vangsgaarden Gjestgiveri alongside the Aurland Fjord.  And I dare you to pronounce that name after a beer or two.     

Blog dump

Nothing monumental tonight.  Cleaning up my hard drive, paying bills, playing with the dogs, playing catch up on everyone's blogs.  I was posting up a few old pictures/posters I have collected over the last few months that amused me or I found interesting.  I am doing some computer housekeeping while I am waiting for all my music to download (upload) to my new iPhone (yes, Mr Tightwad finally cracked open his wallet and got an iPhone 4S).  Now I have to relearn how to dial a stupid phone.  Let's not even talk about downloading apps or my music.  Here's my first iPhone picture:

Side by side comparison of a Saint Arnolds Elissa IPA and the new Bitter Belgium at the Flying Saucer across from the AT&T store

Of course, there always has to be some dog pictures thrown in.   

Boy, are my dogs tired

And, another reason why dogs are better than cats....  

And, finally, this one's for Abby.  I spotted this at a local brew house chain called BJ's Brewery.  Their seasonal Belgium beer.  I haven't had a chance to sample it, yet, but I am sure it is an excellent batch, if not a bit artsy with some real legs or character to it....

    

Slave to technology

I has a blackberry, I has a cell phone.
Everywhere I go, they are sure to follow.

I dimly recall those halcyon days of my youth where I could jump in the car and head off to college with only a map and my clothes. No means of electronic communication. No GPS. No PDAs. Zip. Nada. Nowadays, I am in constant contact 24/7. Whether is is driving to work or flying out to Nevada, my electronic leashes are close by. I try not to become totally dependant on them, but some people at work expect me to be in constant contact. I have a boss (bless his heart) that will e-mail me throughout the day and expect an almost instantaneous response. Typically, if I am in an interview or meeting with an employee or conducting an audit, I will ignore my blackberry, much to my boss' chagrin. The other day, I was doing a mentor session with one of my buyers and my boss sent a query about some minor training issue. After about 5 minutes later I got a second message if I got the first message (??).

I thought all of this advancement in technology was suppposed to make life better?

Although my bb does have a rad GPS/Map program that practically negates the need for a TomTom...