OR IS IT???!?!?!

CNet (via TiVo) referred me to Windows X's Shrine. There I downloaded and installed the Windows Vista Transformation Pack. Beware though, that this package includes system changes and UI enhancements to make your Windows XP appear to look like Vista. It's all free. I encountered a common problem with Firefox that caused the window to jump up and down, but its a flaw in Firefox, not the GUI, and its an easy fix. I kinda like the updated graphical overhaul. I especially like the new widgets, which Violet has had for a while now on her XP machine but I never got around to it. Its nice to have it integrated into my control panel though. Fairly useful stuff like calendar, Weather, Clock, Picture viewer, Multimedia Center, et al. I only use the calendar and weather widgets though. I have no intention of buying Vista. Well, not until I 'have" to.

...the need for speed !!!

Just a quick note that even though I had a few problems with Comcast during installation, I cannot complain about the speed. My tested speed via CNet's Bandwidth Meter is

28.8 Kbps Dial-up 28.8k
33.6 Kbps Dial-up 33.6k
53.3 Kbps Dial-up 56k
384.0 Kbps DSL/Cable 384k
768.0 Kbps DSL/Cable 768k
1500.0 Kbps Cable/DSL 1.5Mbps
1544.0 Kbps Full T1 1.544Mbps
3000.0 Kbps N x T1 3.0Mbps
3578.9 Kbps - You 3578.9 kbps
6000.0 Kbps T3 6.0Mbps
15000.0 Kbps T3 15Mbps
30000.0 Kbps T3 30Mbps

So uh yeah. pretty damn fast. Of course I can only go as fast as the server lets me, and I've never actually SEEN a throughput of 3500+k/sec, but on a decent connection I'll get 500k-700k / sec with bursts just topping 1000. Pretty frickin fast. I am pleased with it.

Oh, and only $33.00/month for 12 months. I am quite pleased.

We went and saw Ghost Rider last night. Not just because I wanted to see it (it was only like # 3 on Violet's top 2 list), but mainly due because its start time was 725pm, and that allowed me to leave work at 6, arrive home around 635, leave the house with Violet around 640/645, goto dinner (fast food, no time for a good sit down dinner, which is ok since we had just went to Bob Evans (first time we've ever been to a Bob Evans) the previous night, and we really liked the restaraunt. It's like a good IHop I guess.), and drive to the theatre arriving around 710ish.

At least, that was the plan.

Unlike most good stories, there was no drama. We had a decent dinner at Wendys, arrived early at the theatre, there were very few people around and we had our choice of seats.

I really liked the movie. Violet thought it was too hokey. I really liked the fire effects and the way things played out. I didn't realize Eva Mendez could fill out a dress so well. Jeez. A few parts were kinda glossed over and pointless/useless, so that was a let down cuz they coulda made something outta those parts. Anyway, I liked it a lot, and reccommend it. BTW, I know nothing about the comic or character really so I have no idea how much the movie deviates from anything. A lot, I suspect.

Well I had hoped to play Dungeons & Dragons Online (DDO) all weekend since its FREE and has a +50% bonus XP along with other goodies. But well, there weren't very many people online. Yesterday I found a group and we all died several times due to lack of party cooperation. Eventually we got our act together and completed the quest, which was good once we got going. The game is real good with a good party, and suck otherwise. I logged back in this evening with various characters and just didn't seem all that motivated to play it. I'm more tempted to reinstate my COH/V account and play that instead. At least I know what I'm doing and where to go in that game.

I unpacked some more stuff, put together the futon, and spent about 90 mins putting empty boxes in the garage's attic. There's a lot of space up there. It could almost be its own room. Tomorrow I plan to swap out the landlord's Washer+Dryer for ours, cuz theirs sucks.

I saw a free pool table (legal sized, but need felt replacement) on craigslist that I wanted, but without the means to take it apart and transport it, I couldn't go get it. (sigh)

While I unpacked I rocked out (Kelly Clarkson and then Josie & The Pussycats, if you're curious) using my pair of Sharper Image Wireless Headphones. They worked really well. I was pleased. I got them like, well over a year ago from a gift certificate I was given. I've used them occasionally and they've worked pretty well. Sometime I get some static if I'm far away or near a bunch of heavy metal objects.
I also like them because I can just set them on the recharging station instead of replacing the batteries every so often.

Well I suppose that's enough rambling for now. Time for another doughnut. That's a lot of typing.

When the pregnant wife wants something, she usually gets it. Especially if its food. The fact that Krispy Kreme doughnuts is nearly 30 miles away (which equates to about 55 mins of drive time here in Northern Virginia) is irrelevant. Oh sure, the grocery store down the street has 'em, but apparently they're not fresh enough. So we drove to KK and then came home and she ate two and is saving her other 4 for tomorrow and the next day. Mmmmmm. I find that odd. So far I've eaten 5 of my 6 doughnuts. I doubt they'll last until morning but I'm trying to hold out.

to the east side...
We finally got a piece of the pie

(or whatever the lyrics actually are)

My computer is now assembled, mostly. I'm missing the keyboard pull out tray supports so until I find those, my KB is ergonomically unsound for me. I've been using the wireless laptop for email and stuff around the new house, and its working pretty well. But all my bookmarks, like this blog, are on my main system so I haven't updated my blog since the move. It's nice to be computing from home though and not have to drive to the local Panera Bread for free WiFi.

So anyway we're settling in. Violet's office is mostly setup, she just has to organize her books. The kitchen stuff is put away, and the living room has its furniture in place. There's a lot of paper and bags all over the floor though to help with the dirty puppy paws from their back yard frolicking endeavors. We also have a front room, which I'm using for my office and the gaming + multimedia room. It's large enough to accommodate my needs. Theres even enough room left over for a pool table. Mmmmm pool table. Too bad I don't have one. Yet. The garage has a bunch of crap and empty boxes, so I cant park the car in it yet, but since it isn't snowing anymore I may not bother trying to squeeze in there anyway.

The wife and animals seem very pleased with the house and its location so that's all good. I really hate my commute though. 13 miles which is about 35 mins. Dayaaaammm.

Virginia that is...
Swimming pools... movie stars.
No wait, that's someone else. We're moving to Virgina. Had a much better with the movers from Mayflower than the other movers thus far. I rented a seperate 5'x8' trailer to haul the futon matress, fragile stuff, and other things we'll need to live on for the few days until the movers arrive. The rendevouz will hold all 4 animals, Violet and I, and probably my 22" computer monitor. The rest goes in the trailer. That way we'll all be fairly comfortable and not cramped during the drive down there. I hope.

More breaking news as we arrive.

I just drove back from Manassas, Virginia. 9 hours. 460+ miles. I'm too tired to really tally the exact distance, time, or toll charges... but all three things were a lot. I drove down to Manassas from Tewksbury, MA. on Sunday evening and arrived late Monday morning. I spent all day Monday, Tuesday, and part of Wed exploring around, driving by houses, and calling people to request a look see. I finally narrowed it down to one very nice house, and even though its a little more expensive than I wanted (1800/month rental) and perhaps a little farther from work than I wanted (13 miles ~21 mins) its a nice house with a large fenced backyard for the dogs. Most houses that met my specs were in the 1800-2000 range anyway, so its not too terrible. This whole thing is for the stupid dogs. Otherwise we coulda got a cheap townhouse or condo 5 mins from work for like 1400 or less.

Yes I realize Manassas is a terrible name for a city, especially if you put a space between man and asses... but if that wasnt enough, the city just north of it is Manassas Park. Silly Virginians.