What's happening?

Way too much.

Stuff I won't get into here. I've been very busy of late and only this morning did I find some time to relax, peruse the Internet and catch up on my blog-reading. Now I'm doing my blog-writing.

The story about security being relaxed for Obama's appearance in Dallas is making the rounds this morning. Seemed to be a friendly crowd? Reminds me of a line from one of Geogal's favorite movies, "Miss Congeniality," delivered by Candice Bergen:

"The guy was carrying a gun? This is Texas! Everybody carries a gun. My florist carries a gun."

So, security folks, you might want to tighten things up next time. (Translation: Do your flippin' job!)

And don't mistake me for an Obama follower. I'm not. I just don't want any candidate to be shot at or otherwise endangered.

And speaking of which--This is truly the most interesting presidential race I've ever witnessed.

And why not? For the first time in my life, and since the 1952 race, there is neither an incumbent president nor a sitting vice president campaigning for the top job.

And barring some very bizzare turn of events, this will be the first time a member of the U.S. Senate will go straight to the Oval Office since John Kennedy did it in 1960 (again, before my time).

The times, they are still a-changin'.

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I did it.

I broke down.

A few days ago, I applied online to get one of those $40 digital TV converter box coupons from Uncle Sam.

Why? (After all, the two sets I have in my home are both connected to DirecTV.) Two reasons.

One, curiosity. Several of the channels in my area are multicasting, and I'm wanting to see what's on these subchannels. My DirecTV service carries practically all of the local channels, but none of the .2, .3, or .4 transmissions. I'm guessing the satellite and cable services will eventually have these channels available to their customers, but why not see them now? Plus, I want to see how clearly these over-the-air transmissions come across.

Second, backup. The DirecTV service is reliable. More so than cable, which is forever plagued by service outages. The only time I lose the satellite signal is during a heavy rainstorm, which doesn't happen often here in the arid southwest desert. But you never know what will happen in the future. What if DirecTV suffers a systemwide problem resulting in significant loss of signal? You never know.

So, I'll keep the readers posted. Geohouse continues to embrace new technology! (within a tight budget)

Clear direction

Every now and then I receive a clear and direct revelation.

For this past week, that piece of information is as follows: “Geoguy, you will never have a career in I.T.”

I know my way around computers well enough, but troubleshooting and repairing the devices demands more patience and fortitude than I possess.

For some reason, about a week and a half ago my Macbook started having problems with the wireless Internet connection. No problem with using an Ethernet cable to surf the Net, but the wireless had me baffled. Then I go to several discussion boards and realize the problem is likely due to an operating system update which seems to confuse the Airport card.

The next issue? There’s apparently no fix for this, yet. (Are you listening, Apple engineers???)

Turns out I’m not the only one who peruses these discussion boards. Today’s Lileks entry reveals he also is a lurker.

Anyhoo, I’m just about on my last nerve trying to figure out a fix that will be acceptable to the Geohouse. Keeping the router open (no password protection) isn’t palatable right now. But securing it with WPA locks out the Macbook.

Sigh.

I guess it’s goodbye to using the Macbook at the kitchen table for a while. (Are you reading this, Apple engineers???)

Let’s hope they’re reading and heeding this. After all the company is touting its latest product’s wireless Internet ability to perform nearly all tasks related to communication.

Imagine if this device has the same hardware/software problem. Yikes!

Yes, this is about The Game

I'll join in the post-Super-Bowl-comments. (Blogging does have its privileges!)

Yet I will not add my voice to the cacophony of those in the Valley of the Sun saying to the football and golf tourists: "The game and the tournament are over. Now get the hell out!"

Both the Super Bowl and the FBR Open took place far from my neighborhood. During last week my lifestyle was unaffected by the added people. I'm not a partier, never have been, so I stayed far away from Scottsdale watering holes.

So come again, spend your money here. The locals can use the boost to the economy.

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My two favorite commercials? The Bud Light "fire breathing" spot and the Diet Pepsi Max featuring Troy Aikman and Joe Buck. (Did you catch Aikman's deadpan expression right into the camera?)
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Brothers who are quarterbacks win Super Bowls in consecutive years.

And both are named MVP.

These two men are humble, family-oriented, and dedicated to their craft. They appear to both have a healthy sense of humor and are not afraid to laugh at themselves.

Neither one is caught up in the celebrity lifestyle. Nor are they ones to engage in assignation with actresses or supermodels.

I could go on, but you get the point.

Archie Manning, a person of whom I was unaware until Peyton Manning hit professional football, has my utmost respect as a person and a father.

Archie and Olivia obviously did something right.