Opening Files slow from File Explorer (XP)

So, last week, right before I went off on vacation, I got a new laptop at work. My old one had it's video card go out and I'd had it for several years. Well, I got everything transferred over last week so I could hit the ground running after getting back from vacation.

Well, yesterday, I started noticing that it was taking a very long time to open pictures from the file explorer, so I changed to a different program (from the windows default) and it seemed to work fine after that. Later in the day, I noticed that other files were taking a long time as well, in fact, nearly every file I opened took a long time.

I did some research and read that there could be problems with network drives which could cause this problem, so I disabled all my network drivers, and the problem persisted. So, I searched the the registry looking for the \\ that would be at the front of a networked machine (either name or IP address) to see if anything in my Windows registry was pointed to a network device, and surprise surprise, I found that one of my software programs had it's executable pointed to my old laptop from when I had connected to it to remove old files to copy to the new one. So, I changed the path from the old machine to this one, and my files started opening up fast as expected.

So, if you have that problem, you may want to take a look at that.

First day of 6th grade!

Well, it's that time of year again... School Time! But this time, it's 6th grade, AKA Middle School!

He's a little nervous, but not too bad. I have no concern on his school work. I expect it to be a good year.

As usual, you can click on the pictures to make them larger!

6th Grade

5th Grade

4th Grade

3rd Grade

2nd Grade

1st Grade



Kindergarden


Pre-K

Sleeping Baby

I took this picture back on April 20th using my cell phone instead of my other camera, but I really liked the way it turned out.

I think the best part was he was in my wife's lap, but you can't see that. His head was on one leg, and his legs on the other. There was just enough lighting from the bed side lamp that it illuminated him, but not her.

Good morning!

100_6504, a photo by jarrard@swbell.net on Flickr.

This morning (7/26), I was getting ready for work and looked out and saw this beautiful sunrise. So I grabbed my camera, and went outside to make sure I got a chance to capture it! I was able to take a few other shots to.

It was a beautiful morning.

Via Flickr:
July sunrise!

Sprawl Trilogy

I just finished readying Mona Lisa Overdrive. The third and final book of the William Gibson's Sprawl Trilogy. And I have to say, I'm not sure what I think about it.

I've always enjoyed Neuromancer. Once you get past the sex and the drugs, it's a good book. Now with Count Zero, and Mona Lisa Overdrive, well, I'm just not sure what I think about them.

I'll have to come back and read them through again some time.

He certainly has a different writing style.

Mandatory Water Rationing

Last week, RWD3 started mandatory water rationing. So today was the second day since it started I've been able to water. I've lucked out that I'm able to water on M, W, F.

Friday, I worked from home, so it wasn't bad. Today though, after I got back from my walk, I started watering. I got the garden watered, but wasn't able to finish the flower bed. Luckily, my wife was staying home today, so she'll be able to finish.

So far, so good. Guess we'll see how it goes. It makes me wish I'd set up some of those barrels to catch rain water. May consider it before next season.

Rain!

We got rain this morning.  Sweet, beautiful rain.  We needed it so badly.  It was nice to hear and smell it.  It stopped me from walking,  but I was OK with that.

Google Plus

I got an invite today for Google Plus. So far, it's interesting. There are things about it I really like. The biggest drawback I see at the moment is there aren't that many people using it yet.

How will it do in the long term? Who knows, but I hope more people start using it. I think it has some great potential.

Chess Camp

Today at church and friend of mine was talking about sending 2nd of his kids to chess camp starting tomorrow.  My boy loves chess and would love that.   So I asked him to tell me about it next year.

His wife emailed me to let me know it wasn't too late to enroll him this year.   So after talking with him about it,  we got him all signed up.  He goes each afternoon 1:00 to 4:30.

He's looking forward to it.

I'm not dead yet...

I'm getting better.

Just been lazy.   Just got an official Blogger Android app.

Birthday Cake

Well, it's that time of year again, time for another birthday cake. Big number 11 this time..

This year, he said surprise him. So I did cupcakes and decorated them as pokeballs.

For his 10th birthday, he wanted a Star Destroyer. It didn't turn out so hot. or at least, I didn't think so. He loved it, so I guess that's all that counts.

For his 9th birthday, I made him Spongebob Squarpants. I think I did ok.

His 8th, I made Pokemon:

The year before that Yoda. That year, I did 2 cakes cause we had to parties, and I wasn't happy with the first cake.
Second Cake:

First Cake:

Dish Network and Griffin Communications

For those of you that aren't aware, Dish Network is in yet another contract negotiation where service may be dropped (like they were with Fox Sports earlier in the year). This time it's with Griffin Communications (which is News 9, News On 6 and the Tulsa CW).

Since September, I've been considering dropping Dish Network and going to something else or Over-the-air and streaming. My wife didn't want to cause we'd lose most of the OSU football games. And seeing her point, we decided to keep Dish.

Well, during football season, Dish Network had their "negotiations" with Fox Sports and since they couldn't come to an agreement, stopped airing Fox Sports. I know I missed at least one football game to this.

Now they are threating to drop Channel 6.

I decided that I'd go ahead and write Dish Network a letter tonight and I figured I'd go ahead and share here.

I've been a loyal Dish Network customer since June 1988. But recent actions by your company have me strongly reconsidering my choice of provider. Earlier this year, there was a problem with Fox Sports and now with Griffin Communications.

Next week, if the 2 of you do not come to an agreement, I'll lose the ability to watch the the news channel I wish to watch and other shows my family enjoys.

I'm paying you for that channel, however, if you stop carrying that channel, I doubt you drop the cost of local HD channels. Which means this all comes down to money in YOUR pocket.

I strongly hope you two can come to an agreement before the deadline. If I lose this channel and have to find another way to watch this channel. It may be a permanent change.

The last time this came up, Dish Networks stance was they're trying to save the consumers money. I don't blame Dish Network for wanting to make a profit. That's how things go. Nor to I blame Griffin Com for it either.

I've been really close to dropping Dish. This just might be what it takes.