GeekTek

In that time, I wasn't up to much, and then I was. Friday July 18 my boss picked me up and we drove to Detroit to fly out of there as it was much cheaper than Grand Rapids. Flew to Charlotte, cleared out that store that had been closed for 18 months... That was the first week, then since there was a bit to do, I got to stay and help get things in order at the warehouse down there, just behind Lowes Motor Speedway.
Got back home the morning of Aug 1, flew back out again the next Monday, again from Detroit. I was hoping to be in Detroit that day, but for other reasons, as in a live PotterCast and concert. Again, just not to be...
Anyhow, we are down in Hanover, Virginia to set up some simulators in a new Bass Pro Shops store that isn't really ready for us just yet. Monday when we got here, we found out the truck that was to get loaded at the Charlotte warehouse hadn't arrived on time, therefore, nothing to do. You can also interpret that as saying I could have spent the day in the D doing what I was so looking forward too and flew out Tuesday but nooooo. Sigh. Truck arrived Tuesday evening(! see, plenty of time...) and we unloaded it. Didn't start putting anything up till Weds, and then only the outside structure as the electrical outlets aren't even run yet... Meanwhile another Bass Pro store in PA is having issues, so we had the guys down here "try to make sure" the outlets would be run by today while we went up to PA for Thurs and Fri to fix them up. We'll find out tomorrow if they did.
So, after a standard work week here, I've done about 3 hours worth of work in Virginia, and about 2 hours in Pennsylvania.
In related news, it doesn't look as if I'll be going to Key West after all. That was dependent on whether 2 of the other guys were going to Moscow (yes, the one in Russia) or not, and that canceled so they are free for KW.

In unrelated news, my car was being a pain those couple days I was home. Whatever was going on with the starter stopped. So it's not being intermittent in it's ability to start the car, it just doesn't at all anymore. Being that my Audi is a stick shift, I can still push-start the car, which works fine most places if I park appropriately. However, the driveway at the place I live is A) Dirt, B) a combo of up and down, killing any chance of good momentum, and C) lined with craters; pushing the car fast enough on it is nearly impossible.
So. As much as I love my Audi, it still needs all new rear brake parts, new rear struts, and maybe a new starter or at least to figure out what the deal is with it. And the power windows are still out let's not forget. The brakes and struts I can do in time, the starter thing is a major thing, and not necessarily as easy as replacing the starter, as it could be a wicked electrical gremlin and hard to track. As the cost of combined repairs is closing in on a decent, yet inexpensive used vehicle, I am looking at possibly replacing it. Yes, I'm looking, and yes mostly at Audi's and VW's.

Also over my weekend home, I set up my parents new laptop for them. They bought it the day I left for Charlotte on a good bargain at the Dark Lord Waldemart, yet hadn't even so much as taken it out of the box until I got there to set it up. I gave them lessons on how to turn it on, shut it off, and general use, and set them up with a Gmail account. I can only hope they were kidding when they asked how to turn it on at least. There is only the one button, granted it isn't labeled "Power" but I'm thinking they might have figured it out.
I picked up a new Toshiba lappy as well. My screen started blinking off randomly on the old one, and Best Buy just happened to have a killer deal on the one I got. So far I do not hate Vista.

Anyhow, I've rambled on for long enough. If you read the whole thing, congratulations. You must have been really bored.

Since it has been nearly a month since I posted on this thing, I figure I probably ought to. There really hasn't been anything going on.
I went to the MIVE get together last Sunday (first Sunday of the month, 3PM).
I went to Grand Haven on the 4th to take pictures off the end of the pier of the fireworks and all that. Those can be found on my Flickr, and my Flickr can be found in my links.
On the highway the other day, everyone in front of me decided it was time to stop NOW. That hard of a stop used what was left of my one rear brake all up. So instead of needing to do the rear brakes, I NEED to do the rear brakes. And I will soon, but in a band-aid manner. Notice above how I said "my one rear brake", well that's because the drivers side rear brake is froze up, making it useless. So for now, Im just going to put new brake pads on the passenger side till I get a good paycheck, then I'll do the brakes up proper. That includes replacing the stuck caliper, both rear discs, and the rear pads. And if I still have money after that, I'll get front pads too, because they are getting low too.
Sunday night one of my friends wrecked her car, so Monday I brought her to the courthouse to get her license back, to the bank, and to the rental car place. After being this long off work, it felt nice to do something useful again. And help a friend in need in the process.
Speaking of work, if the latest news holds up, I'll be heading to Charlotte, NC next Friday, then to Key West, then to Sparks, NV. Ah yes, the Nevada desert in August. Maybe we'll do something in Minnesota in January. Ah well, it's work, and since I like this job, and there isn't much to be found around home for work, I'll take it.

Well, the think tank is on empty now, so this is where I leave you. Hopefully it won't be another month before I write again.
Take care, be safe.

Ah yes, life without air conditioning. Most of the time I can deal reasonably well. As I already run hot, internally, so when the heat gets up there, sometimes fans just don't cut it. Or like now, when it's ultra humid and refuses to rain. Or like right now, at 4:25AM, weatherunderground.com says it's still 76 degrees, and the dew point is 68 degrees. Good sleeping weather this is not, hence posting at nearly 4:30 in the morning.

So anyways, this past Saturday saw me at a LAN in Lansing. Games were played, fun was had. And surprisingly enough the power stayed on the whole time. I say surprisingly because I had been tracking a nice storm string heading our way all day, and around 10 PM it got there... well have a look:

The drive home a few hours later was equally as fun, as I drove basically straight back against it.

I did take some pictures at the LAN, but most turned out dark as I didn't compensate for a low light environment... Maybe some will make thier way up to the internet.

Anyhow, Im out for now. Take care.

PS there is a storm trying to hit just now...

Can't say as I've felt much like writing over the past couple of weeks, and I'm not entirely sure why. Getting tired of just sitting here though, I would like to go back to work. Or find new work.

Apparently that's all I have this time.

Yeah, it's been a bit since I posted, so I thought I probably ought to before I just don't anymore. Wouldn't that be a shame...
In the few weeks since I've written here, not a lot has happened. Still just sitting around waiting to go back to work. As much as I still want to work for the people I do, I'm going to be having to get a different job if they don't have work soon.

My power windows stopped working on the car. While this would have been mildly annoying at worst, it happened with my drivers side window in the down position. Gave it a new relay for the windows and a new window control switch, neither of which helped. Using my voltmeter I confirmed there is still voltage going to the window switch, so I'm not real sure whats going on. As plastic bags just flap in the breeze and make noise and are generally not very see-thru, I fashioned up a window out of plexi-glass. Fits almost perfect, but if I go above 55-ish, the air pressure pulls the top of the plexi-window out so it flaps in the breeze. Strategic Velcro placement didnt even help, but a bit of duct tape over a small air inlet at the front of the window has so far. Pics of this contraption soon.

This past Sunday, being the first of the month, was another get together for the West side MIVE folks, so I went to that. Took some pictures. Afterward I drove out to Grand Haven to the lake, where I took some more pictures.
Actually, I think I'll leave you with a pic or 2.