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Well, yesterday the part finally arrived and today I headed over to dad to see if he could help out replacing it. I guess I could have done it myself too, but I lack the proper tools and the experience, and working on a couple of hundred dollars piece of sensitive computer equipment may not be the right way to practice. Anyway, two hours later the DC jack was replaced, the secondary fault in the power adapter wiring has also been isolated and fixed and that machine is back in working order and now charging up. Thanks dad!
On Sunday I picked up my own new machine and promptly installed a ton of updates for it. One of them being a new BIOS upgrade, which is something that I've' done quite a few times already in my life. Always a bit of a risk - if it fails, you may end up with an very expensive brick instead of a computer - but I decided to go ahead anyway. It's better to lose one when not that much data is on it, opposed to brick it when it's full of data.
Sure enough the BIOS update went without a hitch, the machine rebooted - which was expected - and then... it promptly entered the BIOS setup again and complained about a reading error, no matter what I tried (/me shits pants). Erm... yikes! OK, so that didn't work, although when exiting the BIOS setup, the machine boots as expected. Weird? Yes, weird.
Ok, second reboot, same thing happens, it enters BIOS setup mode again, complaining about a reading error - even though it is showing the new BIOS version as being installed (old version : 1405, new version 3506). Well, let's do it again and see what happens, right? One new BIOS update later (same 3506 version) the machine is working perfectly, no more complaints about read errors etc. Good!
Only thing left now is to get rid of the AMD driver complaining about a .dll being missing on startup - AMD driver updates are always crappy - but that's the least of my concern. Everything works nicely and fast too, so I'm happy. I'll look into the driver issue some day :)
Note : for those of you that got slightly worried about last post, don't be. April Fools day 2012, you know? I'm not moving to Canada just yet.
]]>I've thought long and hard about this, and some may recall that I already said years ago that I'd feel like building a log cabin in the Canadian woods some day. Maybe not for permanent residency, but to have the experience nevertheless. Well... allow me to present to you : the plot.
For those of you too lazy to actually click and read up, that link goes to a plot of land in Canada for which I've put in an offer. It's in the woods with waterfront access, in Mattawa, Ontario, just off Old Highway 17. In fact, it's everything I need and according to the broker I've been in contact with, my offer of $169,000 is almost certain to be accepted. I sure hope it is!
Starting May 17th I've taken two weeks off from work and I'll be making my first trip up there! I'm pretty sure it's gonna be quite the experience indeed. I've already been in touch with local suppliers to get some things organized so I can use the first week to build a temporary shelter that'll stand a winter - possibly two - while I use the second week to cut down trees, clear more land and get those logs prepared so they can be piled up and dry. Actual cabin construction wouldn't start before 2013 though as those logs need time to dry before cutting them and using them to build a log cabin. I could just order dried and pre-cut logs from a wood mill in the area, but that would thwart the whole log cabin building experience, wouldn't it?
Okay, so you think I'm insane, right? Well, you probably are not far off the mark, but at least now you know why construction on my current property has been slow to non existent the past couple of months. The house I just purchased last year, was sold in order to be able to buy the land in Canada and have some spare cash to get some work done. It's a bit of a gamble, but mind you... I'm not totally going off the deep end.
We're going through an integration process at work (merger of two companies) and my new employer actually is a multinational corporation that also has branches in Canada. In fact, if I hadn't been offered a position there, I probably wouldn't have taken the decision just yet, but as everything seems to fall into place... why pass up the opportunity? The only downside - well, there are more I assume, but those may only pop up later - is that I need to brush up my language skills as French is not really my native language and it's clear that I'll be working with other people that speak English or French (Canada is bi-lingual, you know?) and as such I better come prepared.
I'm looking forward to the big adventure that starts well... today - if my offer is accepted that is. If it's not, I guess I'll just accept the position in Canada anyway and delay the whole log cabin building for a bit longer till I find another good spot to build my retreat, my quiet space in nature.
I've read up about bear proofing shelters to prevent things from being ripped to shreds, I'm not all that certain I'm ready to actually face on of those hungry animals yet. Once I start getting to know the woods though, I guess they can be avoided and hopefully it will never come to a direct confrontation as that would either end with me being killed, or me having a very nice rug in front of the fireplace and a whole lot of bear meat in the freezer, lol.
See ya, gotta go sign some paperwork and request more forms, visa etc.
]]>In fact, I've been thinking things over lately and have decided that things have to change. What or how much needs to change, I have not yet decided, but rest assured that things will change - for the better, at least for me - soon. Some things have been put into motion, other plans are mere ideas or rough sketches and outlines, nothing more. I'll post when I have news, okay?
Off to bed now, need to get up way too early tomorrow :(
]]>Yeah, I know, what am I still doing with a 5 year old computer, it's ancient! I originally purchased it to surf the web, do some light word processing and that sort of thing, and it has served me quite well. I'm no longer buying a lorry to haul the occasional rock so to say, or a Maserati to drive to the supermarket.
Anyway, it seems to be a bad time for computers... the GF's laptop died last week - a spare DC jack was ordered and is being shipped from China if I'm not mistaken - so I may be able to get that revived even though it's a long shot. Today my computer dies, I have people over to make me an offer on wall insulation - which was, truth be said, cheaper then I expected - so I guess I'll have to get my priorities straight.
The trip is already booked and a deposit was made, so cancelling that is out of the question.
The insulation will be paid for by the remaining "Green Loan" that expires around April 15th, and will save me money in the long run, so cancelling that is also out of the question.
Replacing the old SFF desktop with a brand new high(er) performance desktop which would allow me to blast spaceships faster (yep, I play eve online) sounds like a totally awesome plan... but it'll have to wait.
Sure enough, I started looking at the tour operator websites today and scored a 4* all-inclusive deal in Egypt well within budget... I have little to no doubt that it may be unfair to compare the two deals, but all things considered, I wonder why she wasn't able to come up with a similar deal?
Off to Egypt we go :)
]]>+1 - ossobuco - coconut reika - late night call out - wishes - No D - cuddles - Eve - Chocolate Moelleux - fun - kisses
There you go. 15 words, all focusing on positive stuff, because I'm trying to no longer be bothered by what or whom annoys me :)
]]>I managed to get in touch with a good number of companies though that offer insulation services, and I hope to start receiving quotes or requests to visit the property to take measurements and give quotes in the next two weeks. Sure enough, it will cost me a fair amount of money, but the investment is not on supported by the government (= tax reduction and all kinds of incentives/cash back offers) but also the proper way to tackle the issue of heating and the cost of energy. While the quick way would be to buy a new heater and to be done with it, I've decided to take the correct path and insulate first, then have a calculation done as to what heating source would suffice and based on that, get the proper heater installed.
Last year it was new super insulated windows and glass, and I got and old small roof replaced and insulated as well, for 2012 I want wall insulation to be completed and a new heating source picked and installed.
In that regard, I received a letter from my financial institution that my mortgage - which is partially variable - has reached it's first annual review date, and guess what... it seems I'll be paying less. Sure enough - I just looked up the correct numbers - it'll only save me €96,24 over the year, but it's a start, ain't it?
]]>(I couldn't come up with anything more random, lol)
Note : comments should be working again. Feel free to give it a try.
]]>Well, all of those are threats for sure, but you don't need to panic about them. Common sense will help you more then high tech software, firewalls and consultants.
Some tips :
The first tip is more about being aware that something could be fake or a potential issue, and as such avoiding it. Keeping your computer and the programs on it up to date can seem a difficult task, but I'll just point you to Secunia PSI, which is an excellent little tool to help you do that.
It's free, reputable and easy to use. Even if you run it in simple mode, it'll help you - or rather your computer - stay up to date, less prone to security issues and trouble.
So, take the next 30 minutes of your time (it'll probably take much less) and take a big step forward towards a safer computer experience.
Tomorrow it's probably off to the movies, see trailer below.
]]>After finding the leak we decided to take the radical approach and seal off the complete section of water there, since it was just feeding the shower - which I had taken out in order to reach the plumbing, remember?
Once the section was sealed off, we checked for more leaks and turned on the boiler again. Which overheated in a matter of seconds, resulting in seals coming loose, water dripping from joints and steam coming out of my faucet in the kitchen. Ouch! Luckily no one was hurt and we managed to shut it down before really bad things happened. To be on the safe side though, we closed the gas line and water intake to the boiler itself as well, effectively taking it out of service till it can get repaired and serviced by a qualified technician. Which you - of course - have a hard time finding these times of year.
To make a long story short : I went from excessive hot water leaking somewhere under my shower to no shower, no warm water and a broken boiler in under 16 hours. Still I dare call that making progress, I really do. Because, if you look at it from the right angle, that old shower was destined to be taken out anyway, the leak had to be stopped no matter what and the boiler was eventually due for replacement and a servicing at a minimum. It's just all happening at a less convenient time, grin.
Anyway, that seems like a good note to end 2011 on and in 2012 I think I'll do some more construction, replace broken boilers and eventually throw a bathroom party with loads of naked people enjoying hot baths and showers, lol. Well, the bathroom party may not have "loads" of naked people, but I promise that I'll throw a party once it starts looking less like a construction yard and more like a real room with walls, tiles and such.
Stay safe, be healthy, have fun and all the best for 2012!
]]>I checked my bathroom and sure enough... there was a bit of a leak visible, but nothing major. However, when I leaned on my shower, the complete enclosure was hot to the touch, so I think I know where the leak is situated : under my shower, excellent. Instead of a slow day at work and a nice and quiet evening later, it'll be an early morning, cutting away a wall - at least partially - to see whether I can locate the leak, then assess the damage and find a way to fix it.
Since I don't know how bad the situation down there is, I'm already mentally prepared to take out the complete shower - which was on the to do list anyway, though not this soon - and replace all of the pipes in order to avoid more issues in the future.
Off to bed early, deconstruction derby in the morning :)
Yes... there is no reason to feel bad, sad, angry or upset about it. It is what it is and I'll deal with it accordingly. I already called in the troops and dad will be coming over in the afternoon to see what we can or need to do. I bet that gift voucher for the local DIY store I got for x-mas will come in handy sooner as I expected, grin.
]]>I've got no clue how they'll react - I don't usually have to interact with them all that much, they pay on time and don't bother me, so I leave them alone as well - but I've made sure that the letter is in line with legal regulations and I've referred to the proper stipulations in the contract.
I can imagine their new year starting off in a better way, but unfortunately this is the way it'll be I suppose. In order for them to feel a bit less pressured, I've included an option to pay off the outstanding debt in two terms - which should make the pill a bit easier to swallow. There is no point in me losing good tenants, so I'd rather give them some extra options opposed to getting them into financial trouble.
Anyway, enough administration and drafting up things for today, off to bed I go.
Oh, the visit to the dentist this morning was pretty damn swift, I was in and out in under 20 minutes and my teeth are looking swell again :)
PS : I'll try to write out that mail tomorrow, but I got caught up in this whole tenant and monthly provisions administration thingy.
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