First Lamaze class complete

It's been a rough day. It's late and I'm low at the moment.

So why not post a photo of Walker? He wieghed in on Friday at 83.6 pounds. He now knows how to sit and shake, and yearns eagerly to understand the command, "Roll Over." Darth Vader impersonations make him bark while any indication of food tends to make him silently attentive.

Yet, in the photo here, notice the ball is next to the cat. The tabby makes the rules.

Everybody online ... let's see what we can see

We are wireless, baby. It's sweet! It pretty much took me 8 hours from the beginnig of moving the modem, router, computer and stuff, to being able to relax and say, we are good. Yvonne and I spent an accumulative of about 2-3 hours with Time Warner Cable because apparently they need to flip a switch for three components on one account. They have great customer service .... NAWT!

But we also had a tech come out and install a second cable box (hence, three components), and that guy was cool. We was a contractor, which might explain it?

I still need to work out the incognato domain kinks, but weekend timing doesn't help. The worst part is my email is offline, unless someone happens to remember my yahoo email address (in Chicago).

This is how I feel now that I have a W-Fi network secured (thanks Warlord!), my computer moved, Yvonne's NEW computer online and looking good and a cable box in the gym.

Hosed by my host, upgrades all around

The last year or so, I've noticed my server not being that great. Emails would not send, the site would go down a lot, etc. I've submitted tickets to the tech support and get an auto response 3 days later. I call the number and no one answers. I do an Ask.com search and find many customer service complaints and accusations of fraud.

A while back, my domain needed renewal and they never told me. It just went offline. I had to figure out. Easy to do, but a reminder would be nice.

So, I was just waiting for their reminder to renew the hosting, then I'd switch. I thought since this reminder meant they wanted money, I would get it. I never got that reminder either. Instead, I found my site offline this morning, my email account inactive and I'm locked out of the server's control panel unless I pay $95 for another year. Fat f*cking chance Infinology. You suck.

I've had this server since I started the site back in 2004, so I think it's time for an upgrade.

This morning I went about finding a way to switch servers, which I think I've done. I am going to switch to an Austin company suggested by my buddy Old Skool. He gave me a preview of the services and the control panel and it looks great. At this point, I've made the order and I'm just waiting on a confirmation. Then, I'll migrate stuff to the new host. I think I'll also take this opportunity to change my email addy to reduce spam.

I'm pretty happy about the change, I'm just impatient. I know this will take a few days.

On a cooler note, Yvonne bought herself a new computer. I'm going to set up the house on Wi-Fi this weekend and move my computer into the living room (family computer). Then the Xbox will most likely move in there too, freeing up this bedroom to begin it's new life as the guest bedroom, workout room and alternate TV room. Her new laptop will be able to work online anywhere in the house, including the back patio. This is key, since our only current method at home is this desktop I own (5 years old, but still kicking ass). Not great for freelancing.

I'm considering turning her old comp into an digital jukebox of sorts, instead of moth balling it. But, the truth of the matter is it can't handle anything beyond Windows 98, so it's very limited in regards to software. That thing is fricking 7 years old. Good for her making it last so long.

Quick update

Things have been pretty busy around here. Yvonne just recovered (mostly) from a week and a half cold. I've been busy at work and it seems things just keep popping up that we have to do.

But, I think it's OK. We start our new baby parent class on Monday. This weekend, we might finish the bedroom, but Mom's John has the same head cold mentioned above, so he might need more time.

A lightning storm is coming, so I'm signing off and shutting down.

I guess it's true about being green

I just found this funny as a NIN, Johnny Cash and old skool muppet fan. It's a little on the graphic side--but with puppets. Consider yourself warned.


I like the spiders in the vomit---Great detail.