The tail of a DVD player in the Raymond household

September 15, 2011

In 2007 we purchased a Memorex DVD player to replace our Sanyo unit which had just died.  The Memorex was cheap, $40 USD, but seemed to work ok.  4 months ago it stopped working properly.  It would randomly shut off or sometimes not even turn on.  I went through and resoldered all joints including some small surface mount components.  I did this because modern wave soldering and reflow soldering frequently has lots of imperfections and over time they can become an issue.  Well, sure enough it worked fine after the repair.  However, over the weekend it let out it’s magic smoke and I cannot put it back in.  We have replaced it with a Sony unit for $36 USD that appears to be at least twice the quality our Memorex was for about the same price.

So, modern technology seems to be a bit of a catch 22.  It can cheapen our electronics to the point of planned obsolescence, but at the same time it can also bring down new technology prices quite rapidly giving us higher end gear for a reasonable price tag in just a few years time.

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Finished the framing for the nursery

September 14, 2011

Over the weekend I got the framing done for the new walls in the nursery.  Now I just need to hang the door, do the drywalling/puddying and then paint!

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Made in the USA – Painting tools?

September 12, 2011

We are working on our nursery and needed to purchased a roller, roller covers and a paint tray.  We skipped down to our local Home Depot (only because Aubuchon’s was closed) and were able to find quality Made in the USA pieces – much to my surprise!  Here is what we bought:

Wooster 9″ Roller Frame – $8.47
Hansteck Lambskin 9″ Roller Cover – $9.77
(No name brand, but still Made in USA) 9″ Roller Tray – $2.97

Total price before tax: $21.21

We could have saved about $8 by purchasing pieces that were shipped from the other side of the planet, but why would we send our money all the way over there when it needs to be right here?  Also of note, all 3 items were much less “flimsy” than their cheaper counterparts and should not only work better but also last longer.

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Where Were You?

September 9, 2011

Where were you when the world stopped turning on that September day?
Were you in the yard with your wife and children
Or working on some stage in L.A.?
Did you stand there in shock at the sight of that black smoke
Risin’ against that blue sky?
Did you shout out in anger, in fear for your neighbor
Or did you just sit down and cry?

Did you weep for the children who lost their dear loved ones
And pray for the ones who don’t know?
Did you rejoice for the people who walked from the rubble
And sob for the ones left below?
Did you burst out in pride for the red, white and blue
And the heroes who died just doin’ what they do?
Did you look up to heaven for some kind of answer
And look at yourself and what really matters?

[Chorus:]
I’m just a singer of simple songs
I’m not a real political man
I watch CNN but I’m not sure I can tell
you the difference in Iraq and Iran
But I know Jesus and I talk to God
And I remember this from when I was young
Faith, hope and love are some good things He gave us
And the greatest is love

Where were you when the world stopped turning on that September day?
Were you teaching a class full of innocent children
Or driving down some cold interstate?
Did you feel guilty ’cause you’re a survivor
In a crowded room did you feel alone?
Did you call up your mother and tell her you loved her?
Did you dust off that Bible at home?

Did you open your eyes, hope it never happened
Close your eyes and not go to sleep?
Did you notice the sunset the first time in ages
Or speak to some stranger on the street?
Did you lay down at night and think of tomorrow
Or go out and buy you a gun?
Did you turn off that violent old movie you’re watchin’
And turn on “I Love Lucy” reruns?

Did you go to a church and hold hands with some strangers
Did you stand in line and give your own blood?
Did you just stay home and cling tight to your family
Thank God you had somebody to love?

[Repeat Chorus 2x]
And the greatest is love.
And the greatest is love.

Where were you when the world stopped turning that September day?

– Alan Jackson

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Not everything done, but still good

September 6, 2011

We didn’t get all of our long list done during the long weekend, but we did get a lot done.  More importantly, we had a good time.  It was great having 3 days with my wife without having to go to work or leave the house other than some small errands.  That’s living the life.

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