27 August 2009

Recommended: The Muppet Show Comic Book TPB


I'm not sure why Amazon isn't getting copies until October since I purchased mine at the Collector's Edge North store yesterday. Do I have all four issues of this title? Yes. Is this only $10? Yes. Are there bonus materials? Yes.

Should you get this? Yes.

http://www.amazon.com/Muppet-Show-Comic-Book-Muppets/dp/1934506850/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1251399415&sr=8-2

Regular programming to return. I don't generally do this sort of promotion so take that as a sign of how much I enjoy this book!

25 August 2009

Follow-up to Dead Video Device

I've been exploring my options in this area as I was encouraged to try XBMC and building a media center.

Here's the skinny as I currently see it.

I have two PCs that are currently doing nothing. One is clearly broken. I thought it had a power supply issue, I swapped that to no avail, so I wonder if it has a motherboard issue. It's just old and simple enough where it probably isn't worth the mobo replacement, assuming that's the problem, and would just be better off with a new device. The other PC wasn't broken but it was old and slow. I'd stopped using it. When I tinkered with it today, it didn't want to boot. I'm operating under the belief it's dead or nearly dead. It's probably not worth saving at this point due to its age.

I have assorted Mac equipment. XBMC is compatible with OS 10.4 and 10.5. My primary computer is running 10.4.11. The Mac mini, which is right next to the TV and would be perfect for this function, is running 10.3.9. Fail. There is an inexpensive cable that would connect this to the TV but the OS upgrade needed to make it compatible would not be inexpensive.

I haven't looked at cracking open the XBOX to replace the DVD/CD drive. Nor have I looked into getting a 'replacement' item. I don't need two XBOXs. There's still that XBOX 360 in pieces in a box in the corner. The old XBOX still works to play media files but, occasionally, the laser fails. This is very annoying when one is 40 minutes into a 50 minute programme.

After doing a bit more investigating, I think I could grab the code/region-less DVD player I was looking at for $80. According to the specs, it also plays media files and upconverts to 1080.

I know it's not leaning towards the future like a media centre would but that player is getting nicer looking.

I promise to tinker a bit more before making a decision.

24 August 2009

Editing

Reading slowly takes forever. I read through the story I'm polishing up and the 26 pages took me hours to get through. It was worth it but it did drain the creative juices today. Tired now.

23 August 2009

Irish Fest wrap-up. Finally.


I need to wrap up Irish Fest before the details fade completely. My back's been stiff all week and I haven't had a lot of energy because of it, so I kept putting this off. Sorry about that.

Deal of the Fest: There were, apparently, two of these but I participated in neither. There was a trucker hat that could be purchased for One dollar. Despite my need of hats, I didn't get this because I don't find the trucker type to be comfortable in general. Eric had no such problem and bought one. There was also a lemonade stand that would get you a handmade lemonade in a tall collectable glass for $4. You could get the glass refilled for $2. When you spend all day there, this is a great deal. Rumor has it that this drink mixed well with vodka but I don't know who would do such a thing. wink wink.

A few years ago on a rainy day I saw Scythian play at the Rock Stage. There were maybe 20 or so people there. They were a lot of fun and I grabbed their CD that day. This year the band was a last second fill-in. They rocked a packed Tipperary Tea Room Saturday night and made a bunch of fans. Sunday afternoon they played at the larger Miller Lite Stage to an enthusiastic but smaller crowd. They're still a lot of fun. They released a live album and I had to get it. They signed it for me and everything. They liked my sideburns so they're clearly wise men. They also play a great sped-up version of 'The Devil Went Down to Georgia'!

Over the course of five days, I saw Gaelic Storm play four times. It never got old. That band puts on a great show. They were recording the Friday, Saturday, and Sunday shows for a DVD release. I'm looking forward to that.

My favorite food this year was the Bridie, which I had not had previously. I still enjoyed the reuben rolls as usual but this Bridie was just excellent. It's a mincemeat pie in a puff pastry. It was tangy without being spicy. The pastry was light. It was filling without being too heavy. It was $5, with fries added for an extra dollar. Never got the fries. I grabbed three or four of those and kept sharing them because it didn't seem right to keep the joy to myself. Gotta find that restaurant...

I stopped counting beers on Saturday and Sunday because those were longer days and it just wasn't worth the effort. I did drink a lot more Snakechasers but also mixed in other beers as the days went on. I think I drank less than previous years, mostly because I was with my group for more than normal. When I'm by myself and doing the back-and-forth walk, it's easier to get into a drinking rhythm. When the group's there, I'm not doing the walk and, therefore, I drink when I drink, not because I'm on the other side of the grounds.

I did get a tea on Sunday. No shamrock cookie though. They sold out. I like getting a tea and a cookie every year as my own little tradition.

Oh well, maybe next year.