Monday, July 31, 2006

Stardust

Back on January 10th, I had posted about Stardust@Home.

Well, starting August 1st, the Stardust@Home begins. I got an email today telling me it will start tomorrow (August 1st) at 11:00 a.m. PST.

This could be fun.

Sunday, July 30, 2006

Car update

Let me start off by stating how stinking hot it is outside!

Ok. Well, after church, my wife dropped me off at my daughters work for me to get the truck so I could go work on the car instead of taking my boy to the birthday party he was going to at Incredible Pizza.

So, I go and look at the car. Nothing. I see nothing. No cracks in the hoses or radiator. No signs of a leak. So, I turn it on. Once I get the water moving, I should see the problem easy. Still nothing.

While it was running, it took it a bit to heat up, but once it did, it didn't take much to get over the 50% mark on the temp gauge. I'm leaning towards this being a thermostat problem at this point.

I decide to go into Big Lots and cool off while I'm waiting on the car to cool down. While I was in there, I called one of the men from our church who works on vehicles for a living (meaning he knows WAY more about this stuff than I do). He gave me a couple things to check. Make sure there isn't a bleeder for the coolant system (some have them, didn't know that). Also, make sure the fan was on.

So I got back out to the car, and read some more in the repair books that we have for her car. It talks about how the fan will come on with the AC, or if the AC is off, when the car reaches a certain temp. So, I check. The fan is off. I turn on the AC, and it is on. So, the fan works. I turn off the AC, and wait. The temp gauge got back to the 50% mark, and the fan still hadn't come on. Ding, ding, ding, ding! I think we have a winner.

I turn on the AC, and the temp drops some. So, I close up the truck, and the car, and take the car for a drive with the AC on. Never once did the car ever reach that 50% mark on her temp gauge. I took her back her car and asked if they were running the AC yesterday or not. She said no. So I explained that I think she has a sensor out, and until that can be replaced, the run the AC all the time.

The book actually talked that if the fan worked, then it not coming on automatically could be a combination of a few different things. This one may take a real mechanic to fix.

Now, I'll have to wait to hear how the car is doing with the AC running.

Saturday, July 29, 2006

Family is home, back to normal

My family came home today.

I'm glad they are home, but I didn't get everything done I wanted to before they came home. I was hoping to finish the laundry and vacuum, but they got home an hour earlier than I expected. Also, finishing the upstairs took a bit longer too, so once I was done with that, they were almost home.

My daughter was home for maybe 30 minutes before she ran out the door. Normal.

My son didn't come home for a couple of hours. When the neighbor kid was picked up, my boy road home with them, and he stayed there and played. When I went to get him, he didn't want to come home. Normal

My wife got everything unpacked (well, not everything, my daughter and I helped), and then she took a nap. Normal. :)

I've really missed my wife, and I'm glad to have her home. She's my best friend!

As we went to my grandparents to see my cousin off to Guam for her mission trip this year, my daughter called and her car broke down. Guess I'll have to take a look at that tomorrow.

It's late, and I'm tired.
Good night all.

Friday, July 28, 2006

MyHeritage face recognition

Ok, this is just too funny not to share.
While listening to Air1 yesterday and today, they were talking about a Celebrity Face Recognition from MyHeritage.com found at MyHeritage face recognition - Find the Celebrity in You

So, after hearing what people were saying, I decided to go and see what it said who I looked like.

The site says use large, front-facing straight faces. I couldn't find a picture like that on my laptop (probably have better ones at home). But I used one anyway.

When I got the list of who I looked like, I couldn't help but laugh.

First on my list was Fabio Cannavaro at 74%. For those that don't know, he is an Italian Football (aka soccer) player and plays for Real Madrid. (Now if only the rest of my body looked like his, that would be good!)

Second on the list was John Travolta at 71%.

I may try again when I get home and can find a better front facing photo. I think that will really matter, because everyone they linked me to were smiling and had their head's were not completly front facing.

To share in the laugh, here you go.

Monday, July 24, 2006

Noodling - Not using your noodle

I've never understood noodling.

Walking into the water, and sticking your hand into a hold in the hopes that a catfish will bite it so you can catch the catfish and eat it.

I'm all for eating fish, but I try not to let the fish eat me first.

People have scars and missing fingers from this. Well, you can add death as a possible scenario as well now.

Sunday, July 23, 2006

Alone time

Tomorrow morning, my wife and kids will be going to Falls Creek for the week.

Falls Creek
for those that don't know is a great church camp for teenagers (and sponsors). You get away from all sorts of distractions and get time to focus on God. There is a lot of time spent in devotional's and Worship services, but each afternoon (from about noon till 5ish) is a free time (with other shorter free times in there). It sounds like a lot, but it is great!

My wife is going as a cook, and she is taking my boy (the only way non-teenagers can go). My daughter also was able to get off work (thank you God!) so she could go.

That leaves me here, alone for the week. I look forward to this week every year. I love my family, but I enjoy time to myself.

Friday, July 21, 2006

Orion Project

It's official.

The last time man went to the moon was part of the Apollo project missions.

And according to Space.com the next time we go to the moon will be part of the Orion project missions.

It also looks like they are getting close to releasing the name of the Shuttle replacement. That is probably another month or so off.

Wednesday, July 19, 2006

Online TV ( In2TV)

While doing some surfing this evening, I ran across something very interesting that I just had to share.

In2TV by AOL

What is In2TV? Glad you asked.

In2TV, the first broadband TV network, includes hundreds of high-quality, full length classic TV episodes, with a range of choices and interactive features.

From what I can see, you can watch any show in the web window. I believe there is a full screen option that I have not tried yet since it required downloading software. I will probably try that in the next few days.

Here are the shows I know they have (As of 7/19/2006)
The Adventures of Brisco County Jr
Alice
Against the Grain
Animaniacs
Babylon 5
Beetleguice
Change of Heart
Chico and the Man
Dark Justice
Eight is Enough
Elimidate
F Troop
Falcon Crest
The F.B.I.
Freakazoid!
Freddy's Nightmares
The Fugitive
George Carlin Show
Growing Pains
Hangin' with Mr. Cooper
The Jamie Foxx Show
Jesse
Kung Fu
La Femme Nikita
Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman
Maverick
Max Headroom
Monkey'd Minutes
Moral Court
The New Adventures of Batman
The People's Court
Perfect Strangers
Pinky and the Brain
Presidio Med
Prince Street
Scarecrow & Mrs. King
Sisters
Spenser: For Hire
Tom
V
Wanda at Large
Welcome Back, Kotter
The Will
Wonder Woman
There is a lot about this I do not know, but here is what you'll need to run it.

Core System Requirements
  • Operating System: Windows® XP, 32 bit or 64 bit
  • Media Player: Windows® Media Player version 10.0 get it HERE!
  • Web Browser: Internet Explorer 6.0+, Netscape® 7.2 and 8.0+, Firefox® 1.0.7+
  • An Internet connection
  • Macromedia® Flash Player 8. Get it HERE!
  • In2TV video is only licensed for viewing in the United States.

  • Recommended System Requirements
  • BYOA/LAN, DSL, Cable
  • Pentium® class Multimedia with sound chip or dedicated sound card
  • Pentium III 1.0GHz or better
  • 256MB RAM
  • 1024x768 monitor resolution @ 32-bit Color Depth
  • Missing Teeth

    Today, my boy lost his 4th tooth.

    So far, they have all been on the bottom.

    The top two middle teeth are both a bit loose, but have been for a while.

    At Christmas, he may get to sing:
    "All I want for Christmas is my two front teeth..."

    Tuesday, July 18, 2006

    Voting

    While doing some reading at the the cvilleok.com site to catch up on some local news, I found the sample ballots for next Tuesdays Primary elections.

    And for you non-Collinsville Residents you can go to the Tulsa County Web Site and look at the ballots for your precinct.

    Monday, July 17, 2006

    Bridge Closing

    You can officially file this under yuck!

    The Highway 20 bridge that crosses the Verdigris River will be closing on July 24th, and will be closed for approximately 90 days!

    In case you don't know, there isn't good detour between Owasso/Collinsville and Claremore.

    This is gonna be a long 90 days.

    Luckily I don't go to Claremore much.

    Space Program

    I've been listening to a news conference since Discovery has landed.

    One of the things that was said (wish I knew his name), was that from the first Viking ships that were put into the water until now where we can fill up a HUGE oil tanker and sail it half way across the world, and almost always get it there safe has taken thousands of years.

    The Space program is around 50 years old.

    Sometimes I think people forget that it's not been around for forever.

    Discovery

    The Space Shuttle Discovery has landed safely.

    I really love the space program.

    Sunday, July 16, 2006

    Tradegy

    We had a busy day at the lake today. Didn't do a whole lot when we got home, and finally decided to go and eat. After a long day in the sun, I know I don't feel like cooking.

    We got home, and the phone rang. One of the doctors my wife works for died in a three-wheeler accident.

    I took our boy to my in-laws so they could watch him while my wife and I went up to the clinic. His wife and kids had a lot of family around, so everyone just stayed around at the clinic and talked.

    He will be missed.

    Saturday, July 15, 2006

    Family Lake Trip

    My wife had the day off from work today, so we went out to the lake today for some fun. My daughter had to work, so she couldn't join us, but we had a lot of fun.

    Swimming, tubing, and just the normal putting around on the water. It was a lot of fun.

    On the way back, we ran across a guy paddling his boat. So, we took him into tow and got him close to the shore. We offered to take him to the dock, but he didn't want that.

    I got a sun burn today too. Not bad, but since it was on top of yesterdays slight sun burn, I'm putting off a bit of heat.

    I had a nice time getting to spend it with my wife and son. The only way the trip could have been better was if my daughter could have made it.

    Friday, July 14, 2006

    Alcohol Consumption Warnings

    While reading an email earlier, I had a good chuckle at these.

    I wanted to share.

    WARNING: The consumption of alcohol is a major factor in dancing like a retard.

    WARNING: The consumption of alcohol may create the illusion that you are tougher, smarter, faster and better looking than most people.

    WARNING: The consumption of alcohol may lead you to think people are laughing WITH you.

    WARNING: The consumption of alcohol may cause you to think you can sing.

    WARNING: The consumption of alcohol may leave you wondering what happened to your bra and panties.

    WARNING: The consumption of alcohol may cause pregnancy.

    Lake Trip


    BeautifulMorning1
    Originally uploaded by jarrard@swbell.net.
    Today, we had a Team Building exercise at work. When you hear it like that, it doesn't sound too much fun. But when you take it a bit further and add that the exercise was at the lake, on 2 pontoon boats, then the trip sounds great!

    Especially, if you like the people you work with, which I do.

    We had a lot of fun. This picture I took on the way to the lake this morning. I just had to stop and take it.

    I was asked not to blog any of the other pix of the group. heheh I did put a couple of more scenery pix on my flickr account though

    Monday, July 10, 2006

    Flickr

    I finally did it. I've created a Flickr account.

    Not sure why I waited. Didn't cost anything, didn't take long to do, not even hard. I guess I'm just lazy.

    I've added a flickr badge to the right. You can also see my pictures here.

    Sunday, July 09, 2006

    Chores

    I got some chores done around the house this weekend. Took me most of the day Saturday, but i got the trim put up around the door to the balcony in my bedroom. It only took me about 4 or 5 years to get around to it, but it's done.

    When we replaced the door, we made sure it was level, problem is, the walls in there were not. So putting up the trim was not a simple matter.

    But it's finally done, and looks much better, even if I do say so myself.

    Next up, bathroom trim. (I hate doing trim work, can you tell?)

    Friday, July 07, 2006

    Pirates!

    Well, the movie was great!

    I would love to say more, but I promised not spoilers.

    Now stop reading this and go see it!

    Go already!

    Oh, and like the first Pirates movie, stay through the credits.

    Patriotic Cookies

    I was sitting here eating lunch today and realized, as I was eating my cookies, that I didn't mention my cookies I made on the 4th.

    I had to go to Walmart for a few items, and as I walked past the candy I saw them. A large bag of red, white, and blue M&M's.

    I had been wanting some chocolate Chip cookies, but hadn't bothered making them. The night before I watched a cooking show where they made red, white, blue cookies, but they used raspberries, blue berries, and white chocolate. Not my idea of a chocolate chip cookie. So I picked up the M&M's. I got the rest of my stuff and went home and made my red, white, and blue M&M cookies. It was the Fourth after all.

    Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest


    We are going to go see Pirates tonight. My wife got the tickets yesterday.

    I can't wait. This should be pretty good.

    What's also cool about this is that all 4 of us are going. My daughter is going to be seen in public with us... granted it will be in a dark room, but still. :)

    I'll let you know what I think today or tomorrow. (No spoilers though)

    Sunday, July 02, 2006

    Fourth of July Weekend

    This has been a good weekend.

    Yesterday, my boy and I got around, and got some donuts. Then we went to help my cousin move, ate some really good pizza at "La Pizza" (at 5th and Sheridan in Tulsa). Then we went swimming.

    It was a good time. Even the move wasn't bad.

    We got home, and my wife had made plans for us to go to her friends houses for a party at her neighbors house. We got there, and her husband and kids were not home. So, she called her husband and promptly cussed him out. It wasn't pretty. It just went downhill from there. I had a lot of fun with my boy, and the kids there. We set off some fireworks. We also had a good dinner.

    This morning, we loaded the grill up into the truck and took it to church. We grilled burgers, dogs, and chicken after the morning service. Our music minister was out of town this weekend, so I ended up leading the music. After the sermon, I left a bit early to get lunch started (the burgers and dogs, another man was cooking the chicken).

    This afternoon and evening, I spent it playing PS2 games with my boy. We made 3 trips to Game Stop. We got Star Wars Bounty Hunter. We took it back and we got Charlie and the chocolate Factory. We took it back and got Lego Star Wars. This one is a keeper. The first was just too hard. The second was just not very good and too hard. Lego Star Wars has been real good.

    No real plans for Monday or Tuesday.

    Ahhh, sounds nice.

    This is also the first 4th that I've had where someone I know has been over seas serving our Country! It's defiantly made me appreciate more what I have.

    Happy Fourth everyone.