Ma and Pa's Blog

Just a quick note prompted by spotting an Asus Eee PC on the shelf at Target.   The $299, 2 lb. laptop (“netbook”) is available with WindowsXP or Linux.    I notice at the Target web site that more models are available.   Actually, the units for $359 look like the best choice — larger screen (8.9 vs. 7″ with 1024×600 resolution vs. 800×480 resolution) and more solid state drive capacity (8GB vs. 4GB).   There are other compact “netbook” computers that include conventional hard-drives in lieu of solid state drives, but the battery life must suffer.  The reviews I’ve read have been very positive, and for web surfing, email, home or school document creation (word processing and spreadsheet), and photo viewing these seem very capable.   An external USB drive or online server could provide archival storage if a full blown computer is not available.  An external keyboard, mouse, and monitor could be connected for desktop (docked) use.     Drool.   Drool.

Click on the picture for a cool demo.

Eee PC

I guess what I really like is the design elegance of these little machines.   By stripping out excesses in hardware and software, they satisfy 99% of most people’s computing needs (my unscientific observation) with an inexpensive, attractive, compact, and energy efficient solution.

We had a great visit with our grandsons (and their parents). Caleb and Owen are thriving, and they really bring our house to life when they visit. It was the first visit since Owen has started walking — he’s even more fun now. Caleb is reminding us more and more of his Dad as a child. It was great to see everyone. Here are a few pictures — sorry, I missed getting any of Jen.

Today’s mail included an item addressed to me from the state Department of Aging!!! I guess I’m officially OLD . . . and now I have the Golden Buckeye Card to prove it!

I think I’ll go back to the place I used to get my haircut (when I had a little hair left) and flash my new card. They had offered me a discount about ten (maybe fifteen) years ago if I had a Golden Buckeye Card. I was thoroughly offended.

Today, I’d have no basis to complain . . . argh.

I can’t wait to see what other mailing lists I end up on, now.

Please, consider Obama . . . not perfect, but a huge step in the right direction.

These are great.   Owen is getting around really well, and Caleb sure reminds us of his Daddy at that age.  Amazing!!!

We bought a natural-gas heater for the patio room but Larry was reluctant to run the gas line himself, so he called a plumber.  A very wise move, but at $98 to walk in the door, and $50 each half-hour, Larry wanted to do everything in his power to make sure everything went smoothly:  he cleared  out the garage (where the new pipe would be run to the patio) and cleared the way in the basement.   He was determined to keep the cost around $200;  he just didn’t count on the custom-made structure of the house.  The plumber had to drill, fiddle, check and drill for AN HOUR to get thru to the garage.  One. Hour.  One. Hundred. Dollars.  One inch hole.  Will keep you posted on the progress; Larry and his new best friend are still working.  $300 and counting.  I’m sure a picture will follow~~and we can look forward to a  warm and snuggly Thanksgiving dinner this year.

UPDATE:

Well, it’s installed, it looks good, and we look forward to using the patio when the weather turns really chilly.  And how much did it cost?  You CANNOT put a price on comfort, people.  Our family and friends mean everything to us and their comfort is of paramount importance.  Plus, we believe in keeping the economy booming and we have done our part to help turn this recession on its head.  You can expect to see A LOT more of the patio this winter.  I’m just sayin’.   C’mon over and experience the warmth!

There was a lot of beautiful scenery en-route to Virginia.

From 081010_Virginia

Jeff, Anna-Marie and Sebastian attended the 100th anniversary celebration at Philippe’s — home of the “original” french dip sandwich in L.A..

From 081006 Phillipe's