Solar Power Here We Come

Our 34 year old attic fan has basically bit the dust.  The bearings have just went kaputz!

As I wrote previously, we are replacing it with a solar attic fan.  Rachel and I did some research, and decided to go with a Attic Breeze – Model AB-201A.

By far it’s largest draw is a lifetime warranty.  Most other models have between 5 to 10 year warranties on the working parts.

It is coming from Texas, and I’m expecting it’s arrival within a week or two.

I will post energy saving figures and installation pictures as soon as possible.

14 Days!

Today we delivered everything back to the Kelley School of Business MBA program.  I must say, I am quite astonished that I was able to complete this mega-transfer in a mere 14 days.

Total time spent on each tape was about 50 minutes on average.  Multiply that by 79 tapes, and that’s almost 66 hours of work.  I actually put my computer to “bed” so it could cool down, as it was working non stop.

Let me go over some of the interesting things about this particular job.

Tapes:  DVCAM and BetaCam SP.  Professional quality videotape, that is just the same as their commercial counterparts (Mini-DV and Betamax) just larger.

Equipment:  Professional grade comes at a professional price.  I had to rent one player, but it was much more economically feasible to actually purchase the other.  While the one I purchased isn’t a ferrari, it gets the job done.  Thanks to my wife Rachel for finding this new one for the same price as very used ones.

Technical Difficulties:  Originally they wanted all of the tapes to be transferred to DVDs, after some testing I found out this was not going to be possible.  So then we tried to see if I could upload them to IU’s MDSS (Massive Data Storage Service).  That was highly unlikely as my upload speed is 384k max, the estimated time to upload 1 was over 36 hours.  So we decided on an external hard drive.  I found this awesome one on newegg.  At 1 TB (Terabyte) it had plenty of space, it also has 3 different connection types, USB, Firewire A and Firewire B.  External isn’t really my thing, but this thing rocks!

Kristi and Ashly were blown away by the speed of this, and I hope that they are equally impressed by my professionalism and price.  Now that I am in the Indiana University network for independent contractors, it will be much easier for me to do other work for the university.  I just hope that my hard work will pay off and other professional work such as this will come my way.

Giving Up The Monster

I have attempted to quit smoking many times.  I have used the patch, gum and lozenges.

This time I’m taking a more pharmaceutical try.  Last Tuesday, I had an appointment with my physician who I hadn’t seen in almost 10 years.  He prescribed Chantix, an interesting drug.

This drug works in a very interesting manner, and there are other drugs which work the same way, just on different drugs.

It works by blocking and eventually killing the receptors in the brain that crave and cause a person to desire nicotine.  I worked on a similar drug at Baxter that did the same thing regarding alcohol.  There is another one I know of that works with morphine.

I’m still smoking, my official quit date is Monday.  Chantix is taken for a week while you smoke, to build up the drugs level in your system.

I deeply hope I’m able to drop this habit.  My health isn’t as good as it should be, at $4 to $5 a pack, it’s not a cheap habit.  We guesstimate that it’s costing between $1000 and $1500 a year.

Wish me luck!

I Need A Graphic Designer, or Become One

I have made some strides in this new website development.  However, there are some things that I still have problems figuring out.

I have figured out this Joomla CMS tool that I am now using, but I need a graphic designer to remove some “white space” from my tattoo picture.  I would also like a version of it that is white, and one that is inverted from its current colors.

I also need to learn a little more about CSS and XHTML.  I have found many templates for Joomla that I like, but none of them blow me away.  If I could modify them or join 2 of them into one template, I would be halfway there.


I’m still adding content, and trying to figure out how to get PayPal to work with this in the grand scheme of things.  I think the grand re-launch will be a few months away.


Check it out!  I have the website online at
www.lmlvideoservices.com/joomla


IU offers a Digital Design Certificate, I really want to do it.  Depending on how things go I might in the fall.  It focuses on design of brochures and such.  It also teaches about the Adobe Creative Suite.  I have a part of it, Photoshop CS3, but haven’t gotten my hands on the other programs thus far.  Who knows, LML Video Services might start to offer Graphic Design services in the future.

Starting All Over

Over the past couple of weeks I have been attempting to revamp my website.  I found a tool that in theory should help me do that.  It’s called Joomla.  It’s an open source database/document management/website tool.

 

There are many, and I do mean many great plug-ins and add-ins for this monster.  From blogging to e-commerce, this ones got you covered.

 

However, there is one problem.  I don’t have any extensive experience with these systems and way this product works.  It relies heavily on server side scripting languages and protocols such as PHP.  So I am starting from scratch with this one.  The only way I learn something like this, is to dig my head into it and see what happens when I click this or delete that.

That has been easier said than done.  Until this week, from what I knew it couldn’t be ran on a home computer.  I thought it had to be used on a web server (at least a computer with a server OS).  I found a program that emulates that your computer is indeed a server, it’s called WAMP5.  With that installed I could play with Joomla to my heart’s content.

I’m starting to learn more and more about the software every day, and I think that within a few months, a new website for LML Video Services will be born.

I just need to figure out a few more problems first.  It seems that my hosting service, Infosaic Technologies, has some strict guidelines for things such as these, many of the plug-ins and add-ins will not install correctly and it seems to be a permissions type error.  The tech guys had to actually install the software for me.  I keep prodding to see how I can get them to help me, but that’s an ongoing process.  I don’t want to leave them, as they’ve been good (and cheap) to me over the past 2 years.

If I don’t get the hosting problems resolved, there must be another way.  Hopefully I can find it.

Letting The Numbers Speak

I have been keeping a log of all of our utility usage and costs this year.  I’m hoping to drop our electricity usage by a meager 2% per year.  I don’t want to start large and disappoint myself.

My logs for other utilities, such as water, sewer, telephone and cable haven’t been as closely monitored because I seem to can’t find some of the statements.

Our home is a total electric home, so it is easy to disseminate our total usage.

In 2007 we used a total of 17,712 KWH (Kilowatt Hours) of electricity.  We used an average of 48.9 KWH per day, which cost us on average $4.90 per day.  On average one KWH of electricity cost us $0.10 in 2007, and we paid $1,777.41 for electricity in 2007.

How do your numbers look in comparison?  I really don’t know if ours is bad or good.  So if you are a dork like me and like to keep track of things such as these, perhaps I can get some information to set my household on a track to help this earth, instead of harming it.

I’ve spent the past hour trying to get information on “average household electricity usage” but the DOE’s website is junk, and I can’t find anything else useful.

End of Year Headache… I Mean Upgrade

After finishing my last slide transfer job, the client asked me if I could transfer 120mm negatives.  My scanner had been good to me, but I needed an upgrade and a way to take some money off of the books so the tax man wouldn’t eat me alive.  I told him that I would get back with him after the upgrade.

The CSR where I really work, just upgraded a scanner and I really liked the one they went to.  It’s a HP ScanJet G4050.  When I researched it, I loved it even more.  With the ability to scan up to 16 35mm slides at a time, and also do medium format stuff such as 120mm, I went for it.  Also since my previous scanner was an HP, I had some familiarity with how their software and systems work.

I always try to read reviews very carefully before purchasing such a product, and I should have listened.

Many of the reviewers just spoke about problems with Vista – I figured such a problem, and that’s why I don’t plan on upgrading for a long time.  There were some though that should have brought up a red flag.  They spoke of problems installing the software altogether.  XP SP2 and IE 7 have thrown a wrench in HP’s software since they both came out.  I had problems with my old scanner because of this, but I didn’t think it would affect a new one, with different software.

I installed the software and everything went fine.  I scanned a few bank statements, but ran into a problem after the third, it would just freeze.  Alas, a problem.  So I tried the first thing to come to mind, uninstall and re-install.  That’s when I came into a world of trouble.  The software wouldn’t fully uninstall.  So I had to manually delete everything (including registry entries), just to re-install.  HP doesn’t support their products (except computers) on the weekends or past 6pm Mountain time, so I was SOL.  I searched deep for solutions, but only found clues.

I even installed the Vista software that came with the scanner, and it worked the same way, perfect several times and then freezing.  I gave up for the evening and decided to make a fresh start in the morning.  I installed the full software suite that I downloaded from the HP website and ta-da, it works now!

I might go to Canon or Epson for my next scanner.  Hopefully that will be several years down the road.

My Presidential Vote is Going to Santa Claus!

Last Saturday evening, my father and I went to the Murat Centre to see one of my most favorite comedians, Lewis Black.

It was my first time visiting the Murat, and the first time my father and I had seen Lewis.

He is most known for his “rant” style of comedy.  For those who know my father, they are very similar as he loves to rant about my step-brother.

I have attempted over the past several days to embed clips from YouTube of Lewis, but for some reason can’t, so I will leave links to my favorite clips.

Here he is at the 2007 emmys:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UFYhupmhhBw  I know the producers of a certain show will enjoy this clip tremendously.

He often speaks about politics, but his set didn’t have much to do with it this time, even though it was only few days away from election day.  His main message:  Santa for President in ’08!  I know it may be shocking, but it has some merit behind it.  Lewis said, “None of the current canidates for president have the one qualification needed, joining the republican and democratic party’s to attain goals.”  I believe him.

This clip is the beginning of the set he performed for us (minus the helicopter):  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HUCxoeGZ_Js

There was one hiccup, as confetti speraticly fell from the catwalk above the stage.  It diverted the audiences’ attention from Lewis and the other comedian.  In a moment of frustration, Lewis said he would track down Sammy Hagar, who was the previous performer there.  He would then put S*** on top of his stage to fall on him.  It was a moment of pure angst.  Somewhat similar to the clip above.

Lewis is also famous for his part on The Daily Show with Jon Stewart.  He has a segment that airs from time to time called, “Back in Black.”  I love it!  Here’s a clip:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T4SDQu7Izrk

All in all, I think he’s as cutting edge as George Carlin was in the 70’s.  I can’t wait to see him again.

A Time of Reflection

As a special day in my life, today being my birthday, I have thought about some of the events that have occured in my life that have made me, well, me.

Here is a summation of my life thus far, all 27 years of it.

October 25th, 1980 – I was born at the Bloomington Hospital.  I have heard stories how I was trouble from the word go, as I was a breech baby.

Summer 1985 – I ran away from a daycare center and walked a couple of miles down 3rd street to The Crescent Doughnut Shop.  After having some doughnut holes and a sprite on the house, I was taken back to the center by Monroe County Sheriff’s Deputies.  My family was upset, but I got to ride in a police car.  The main thing I remember is what I was singing in my head on that hot day, “On the road again,” by Willie Nelson.  The Herald-Telephone, now called The Herald-Times had a story about the situation which mentioned new fangled tracking devices for kids at the time, it’s currently used for pets.

Summer 1986 – A hearing-impaired neighbor told my dad about me stealing a cigarette from his truck.  So I rode my bike all the way to my memma’s house, which was almost a 10 mile ride.  Not bad for a 5 year old.

Labor Day 1987 – My just divorced father marries Kathy Howe.  This starts a period of darkness for me.  I become a bully in school.  She physiclly and mentally abuses me, even wants to charge me rent to live in “her” home.  It all culminates in 1992 with an altercation with a rifle, she threatened to shoot me and I dared her.  Just as I was trying to remove the weapon from her hands my father showed up and held me down to calm down the situation.  I immediately moved in with my mother, who had been in Lubbock, Texas for several years.

October 1992 – I bring a BB gun to Templeton Elementary School with plans to at least hurt everyone in the 6th grade class, and the principal.  After making it on the grounds I chickened out and hid it in a bush.  The BB gun was found and I was expelled and put on probation.  I was passed on to 7th grade with only 2 months of 6th grade education.

1993 – 1995 – Those were very trying years for me.  I learned to appreciate many things we all take for granted.  Most of the time I didn’t know where I would sleep for the evening.  My mom’s husband was on the run from the law and I was abandoned in a trailer by Lake Monroe.  I did not have any electricty, running water or heat.  Sometimes I ate, sometimes I didn’t.  Once I got a hold of my father, things got better.

1996 – In the middle of the night I stole my mothers car (which was soon to by mine when I received my license), and her money, packed my clothes and took off.  My destination, Round Rock, Texas.  I was on-line, a new and expensive thing at that time.  I met a girl via a BBS named Metropolis.  She and I talked for hours upon hours, on the computer and on the phone.  Her username was “Swisser.”  Everyone had thought I drove to Valpo to see another girl, but that was just a ploy.  After driving 20 hours straight due to an error on my part, I ended up at my aunt Beth’s house in Westville, Oklahoma.  She immediately called my dad.  They decided that I stay with my grandfather until something could be worked out.  I spent a week with him, and I will always cherish that time I had with him.  I was the only grandchild he really knew.  He passed away in 2000.

November 1996 – I have a seizure while bagging groceries at the westside Kroger.  Later that month after a battery of tests, I’m diagnosed with epilepsy.  I don’t realize for years what responsibilities this condition carries.

October 1997 – I drop out of high school for good.  After being bounced around the 3 high schools in the county, I was lost.  The same day I dropped out, I took the General Education Diploma test.  After nervously waiting, I passed and received my GED.  I only went to high school 1 and a half years.

November 1997 – One month after purchasing a 1992 Dodge Daytona, I totalled it and shut down Highway 37 for 4 hours by running it into a propane tank at an estimated speed of 60mph.  I was unconscious almost from the time I left my home in Ellettsville to after the collision.  Fortunately I was unharmed.  This collision makes me reconsider driving with my condition.  It also shoots my insurance rates to over $1000 every 6 months.  It is now affordable, only 10 years later.

August 26, 1999 – I become a father!  Weighing in at 7 pounds, 11 ounces, Taylor Marie Nicole Lawmaster is born.  Two years later, her mother and I split up.  As an afterthought, my daughters’ own name was a sign.  We couldn’t agree on a middle name, so she has 2.  Her mother wanted Marie, and I wanted Nicole.

2001 – Life is coming more into focus.  I start a job I have been applying to for 3 years, Baxter.  I thought I would work their until I retired but was canned after 5 years.  I also meet someone very special, Rachel Christine Lee.  I didn’t know or even think at that moment, but she would soon enough be my wife.  We also met on-line.

2002 – Rachel and I move in together on Valentine’s day.  We start with nothing, not even a bed.  Eventually our apartment is overflowing with the love we have for each other and furnishings.

2004 – After years of almost no control of my seizures, I have a VNS (Vagal Nerve Stimulator) implanted.  It eventually works better than any medication I have ever taken at controlling seizures.  I also get married at the First Baptist Church in Bedford, Indiana.  The same church where my parents were married in 1981.

2006Rachel and I become homeowners.  It’s an ongoing adventure that I can’t get enough of.  Three months later I become unemployed, which scares the bejesus out of us.  This starts a period of unknown for the both of us, when will it end?  I really don’t know.

2007 – I started a new job at IU, which might open some doors for me.

Here’s my history, what’s yours?

A Little Fishy

I applied for a position listed in the Herald-Times and got it!  The bad part is something just seems a little fishy.  I did some exhaustive research regarding this “industry,” as there are many other companies that do the same exact thing.  I couldn’t find any pending litigation, or scams relating to this.  So I’m taking a chance.

The “official” title is, Online Store Administrator.  When it comes down to it, I’m just scanning pre-paid online game cards and sending them to “My Boss.”

Here are the instructions I was given regarding the position:

I was not given any further instructions, including an important step in the process.  Where to send it to.

When I ask questions, I’m lucky to get a response I understand.

Although everything doesn’t seem to be on the “up and up,” this could be a very lucrative venture.  I will supposedly be paid $23 for each card I scan.  I asked how many I will receive per day, week, etc. and got this as a response, “usually it’s about 5-7 per once.”

WTF does that mean?  I sent another email asking for clarification, and I’m still waiting on a response.