Nice weekend

I found all of my packages waiting for me on the porch.  It took me two trips but I got all of them moved into the garage.  Then had to move them from the garage to the kitchen table.  Then was the un boxing.  I felt like a kid on Christmas Day, except for the fact that I knew what to expect, I just didn’t know which box it was in.

I got one camera setup and figured out that the audio piece didn’t work like I was led to believe it would.  Plus once I did figure out how to transmit audio it was choppy and just confused the hell out of everyone.  The kids were looking around what is that noise?  So I am using one camera to spy on the children and I tested it out today from work.  It works awesome.  I see the boys in the hall and momma in one of the cat trees.  Pretty nifty.  I didn’t set it up so it’s wide open on the net – I remote into my home pc and then have a webpage that I visit from there to see the children.  I am still giving one camera as a gift.  I may return the other one, not sure yet.  I found something a little better on Amazon and it too was on sale, so I ordered 1 of those in the hopes that maybe the audio will work out after all.  If not then I will return it. 

Hooked up the Nintendo WII last and really had a blast with it.  I went bowling which was fun.  I figured out that I am no good on a jet ski course.  It’s tough to maneuver.  The same is true of Mario Kart.  With a little practice – trial & error I will be sure to eventually figure it out.  I still have 1 game that I haven’t opened yet.  I really wanted arcade classics like Pac-Man Ms. Pac-Man, Gallaga, etc.  They made them at one point but are no longer selling the game on Amazon.   

The Roku stick was easy to install, but I didn’t realize it needed power.  I figured the HDMI Port would power it but that isn’t the case.  The remote is also different than the regular ROKU.  Still it’s easy to setup and start using.  I have it installed in my bedroom, it was just easier than moving the box from the living room.  I am very happy with all of my ROKU’s and highly recommend them if your looking for a set top box or the stick – they are awesome!  I was going to get the Amazon Fire stick but if you want the voice search on that you have to buy an upgraded remote, to which I said nah. 

The Remote Control Holder looks grand and there is no more scattered remotes.  I had to clean up a bit in the living room to get the holder where I wanted it.  Also the same is true in the kitchen, where I placed the WIFI Camera. 

My Harry’s shipment arrived on Saturday and I shaved on Sunday.  I took a before and after photo.  I realize now that I look really good with a beard but I just can’t keep it up.  I get to the itchy stage and after that I want to gnaw my face off.  The shaving experience was grand.  The blades never cut me, only the whiskers.  I love the way the handle feels.  The only two draw backs is there is no 5th blade for trimming closer on sideburns and under your nose.  There is also no stand to hang the razor in.  Outside of those two things this was a pleasant experience and I am giving serious consideration to making them the place where I get razors from.  Speaking of which I deep sixed the electric shaver.  It is clearly shot and there was no point in continuing to try to breathe life into it.  I also see no point in getting another one, at least at this point.  I am much more partial to blades because of the closeness, which nothing electric can come close to but they keep on trying.  The best shave ever was with a straight razor at the barbershop when I was a few years younger.  It’s kind of scary letting a stranger near your face with a sharp object but he did a great job and the warm shaving cream, oh that was out of sight. 

I think that covers the product review.  On Saturday I received both escrow checks in the mail.  I was very happy and took them to the bank.  Now it’s a matter of seeing if the bank accepts or rejects them.  I honestly don’t expect a problem but will be holding my breath until I see them post.  If I could just get the Title Company to get the Quit Claim Deed issue taken care of, then I will be done with the house mess. 

Oh I forgot about the garage rollers.  I did replace them myself it took a little bit of work.  I was able to use the screw gun on 2 out of the 8.  The remainder required either a nut driver or socket.  I got it all done and things are much quieter, not silent but quieter.  There are 3 rollers left and I will let the pros take care of the two bottom rollers since they are on cable tension and I value my eye sight. 

I got good news in the mail on Saturday.  AT&T Uverse is finally available.  They require that you have either internet or tv through them in order to get the phone.  I figured it out and would save a bundle while the promo is going.  After that it would cost me more, so I am opting to leave things as they are.  Plus I would have to have a tech out to my house and there would be wiring and it just seems like a huge mess.  Not to mention that alarm system.  It should work with VOIP but nothing is for certain and if there would be an outage then no alarm signal would be sent.  I always said I would switch in a heartbeat but it’s not the huge savings that I thought it would be. To lure me in they would give me $150 but the promo mailer I got said up to $400 for switching.  I hate paying for TV but it’s what the world has come to.  As soon as I have the option to switch to pay for HBO GO and Showtime on demand – I would happily drop them from my cable line up, so long as they are priced appropriately. 

I watched a movie Out of The Clear Blue Sky about Cantor Fitzgerald on NetFlix it was about the 9-11 tragedy.  I didn’t realize they lost practically everyone in their company.  It was amazing how they were able to spring back to life so quickly.  Their CEO truly has a heart and from what I saw he did everyone right, even though some people thought otherwise.  10 years of free health care for a surviving spouse and giving 25% of profits to families of survivors I think is a very generous deal.  Hard to believe that it’s been so long ago.  Time truly does have a way of slipping away from you.

I wrote a holiday letter to the few people who mailed me Christmas cards.  I used to have all of my cards ready to go and mailed them on Thanksgiving day.  That stopped a couple years ago and now that my love is gone, so is my desire to do a mass mailing.  It was fun to write but it also caused me to reflect on the year and how lonely I am.  I have made myself sick by allowing my depression to consume me and I have to fight against getting sucked further in.  I can’t take time off from work just because I don’t feel like going and want to isolate myself at home.  I have plenty to do at home, but it’s also important to get out and be apart of the world.  Easier said than done. 

The guy at the pet food store was working the register on Saturday.  I made sure to get into his line so I could chat him up.  He told me that he was going to call me in early January.  I kind of wish that I knew that a little earlier but okay.  He is looking for a job now that he has a degree and wants to move into corporate America and out of the pet food store.  Which I can’t say that I blame him.  The tough part is finding a job – degree or no degree.  I think he will have much better luck after the first of the year as will everyone who is looking for a job. 

So it was kind of an emotional weekend.  I started feeling crappy yesterday and ran for the steroids to curb things.  Now I am having my hot flashes and all I do is drink & pee.  At least I feel better today.  I don’t think I am actually sick I think it’s the depression making my body respond that way.  I realized yesterday that my shopping spree was to help me but it also gave me temporary relief from the depression.  In the end I still have to pay it back and I have a lot of stuff that I have wanted for a long time.  There are many things I can do for a temporary fix away from the depression but in the end I have to face the fact that he is gone and not coming back.  I am on my own, and I have made it so far and done so well.  It would be a shame to throw it all away now. 

The headset that I bought for work, is good.  The Cisco phone I use won’t allow me to adjust the volume on the phone, you have to do it from the headset.  I have had some issues with hearing a couple people but no one has complained about my audio and I suspect they won’t considering that the microphone is right in front of my mouth.  I was boasting to a friend about it and she had been looking for something like this.  I was able to still get the deal on Amazon so I ordered her one.  She wants to pay for it but I told her consider it a Christmas Gift.  She will but isn’t too happy about it.  I just hope she likes it and uses it.  It will arrive tomorrow at her home.  Much better than me driving out there.  Although she does have some Lasagna waiting for me. 

So your all caught up and filled in on my life.  Now I feel like taking a nice nap for the day.  The bosses spy is off today so I could sneak into a secure area that I have access to and just turn out the lights and drift off.  That is after I eat lunch.  Hmm, sounds appealing, but we both know that I won’t do it.  Talk with you peeps again soon.