Month: July 2007

A New Visit With An Old Friend

For all past and present Bloomingtonians, the Von Lee is back!

Sadly, it’s not a theatre but still very enjoyable to visit.  Over the past year or so, the building has undergone major renovation.  The lower level is now a eatery named Noodles and Company, while the upper level houses offices for Indiana University.

I must say I enjoyed it tremendously!  There is lots of charm within the building, as much has been done to preserve it contents.  I found a very interesting article on the Von Lee, read it here:  http://www.in.gov/dnr/historic/tcs_vonlee.html

I will never forget some of the experiences I had within this building in my “tween” years.  I saw many movies that “made me think.”  The one I will never forget is Fire In The Sky.

Noodles and Company offers many different and interesting items.  I had to stick to my “American” roots, so I got the “Wisconsin Mac & Cheese” and their “Chicken Noodle Soup.”  I had to support my fellow cheesehead and .rox blogger Kelly.

For once, I’m happy to go downtown again 🙂

The China Syndrome

Well………….not literally.

I came home from work today to discover my computer was shut-off.  I like many others, leave my computer on all the time.  Due to power saving features etc. it seems easier that way.

Ever since I built this computer I have only had one problem continuously, my power supply.  For all of you non tech people the power supply is what splits the power to everything located in your computer.

The case to this computer is very cheap, and came with a cheap power supply.  After about 6 months the original died.  This is not an easy item to purchase online, much like a car.

There is only one computer shop on my side of town, so I went there to purchase another one.  I was told they only carried one type of power supply.  So I purchased one and was on my way.  It fried the next day!  So I brought my ‘puter in and was “mad as hell!”  They happily replaced the defective unit and even installed it for me.  Well this one died and I didn’t want to buy another POS model.

So after informing my wife of the issue, we went over to the olde’ east side of town and purchased a good quality 500w power supply.  This should be enough for my 4 hard drives, dual core processor (thanks B!) and numerous cards.

Only time will tell how “good” this one is.

My next purchase will be a new case, as mine has almost bit the bullet.

A New Venture

I have officially decided to try to expand my very small mowing business.  Just to emphasize how small it is, I only have one customer!  And that’s my current employer.

It seems to be more lucrative than video transfers, but my heart will always belong to it.

I am tired of working for someone else.  I think a vast majority of americans agree with me on that point.  I’m taking the first step to be my own boss.

My wife and I created the flyer below, I have printed 100 of them and I’m currently working on sending them out.  I specifically picked a wide variety of businesses, churches and upper middle class to upper class homeowners who might already pay to have someone handle their yard work.

I hope to receive a 25% rate of return on this venture.  If so the possibility of me being self employed is quite possible.

The only problem with a business of this type is the shear number of them in the area, literally hundreds!  I do have one leg up on them though, the same leg I have with my video business, I can undercut anyone due to my lack of expenses.  I have good equipment, and do a good job.  I’m not trying to get rich, I’m just hoping to make the same as I do now.

Wish me luck, please?

Saving My Family’s Past For The Sake of My Family’s Future

Slowly, I have started scanning old pictures that have been taken of my family.  Something just draws me to do this, and I enjoy it.  I found many surprises on my first venture at my grandma Lawmaster’s last Saturday.

Take a look and see what I found!

Here is the only “full” Lawmaster family picture that I know of.  It was taken around 1984.  I’m the one in the blue suit on the left side of the bottom row.

I found this picture hidden underneath my uncle’s senior picture.  At first I didn’t even know who this was.  I had to ask my grandma about this one.  It’s HER senior picture, circa 1938!  I also found her baby picture, a pure treasure.

I hope to make more trips on a regular basis and eventually scan every picture my grandparents have.  Then it’s my fathers’ stuff, if he can find anything.  I do have his super-8 films to transfer as well.