Okay, there is a bit more going on in our lives... just probably more than I can put down in too much detail, but I'll try anyway:

• Chaya is growing up fast. She is now about 20 pounds (?) and has 5 teeth. As I was making her photo gallery tonight I was struck by how small she was when she was born. Does anyone have any bricks I can borrow?
• My computer has been on the fritz since I loaded Windows XP on it. I finally figured out that the problem was mostly my ATI Radeon 9600 Pro video card not being liked by my NVIDIA-based motherboard (which is new, by the way--an Asus A7N8X-X, better than the MSI K7N2 Delta-L that I had before with all of its sound issues). I replaced the AGP 8X with a PCI card, much to the detriment of my graphics abilities. At least it does not restart of its own accord any more.
• Shane's motherboard (also an MSI K7N2 Delta-L) gave up the ghost, leaving me with few options in helping him out. I finally decided to get him an HP with a long warranty and let someone else work in the tech support field. I ended up being able to get him a nice computer through CompUSA's HP Configurator system and a helpful employee on the phone for only $380.00 (including a 3-year CompUSA warranty. Without the warranty, the computer would only have cost $280.00 (after the $50 mail-in rebate). G-d was good about that, too. I was able to build a whole system from the parts of Shane's computer and my old MB, and a guy bought it for $270 (gotta love Craigslist). I also sold some other stuff, which meant that Shane only had to come up with $40. I am strongly tempted to get me one of those computers and sell my current one to make up the cash. I should have no problem getting $300 out of this one since it is a decent gaming system (when it has a decent video card in it...).
• We are still looking for a house, though still not in the active sense. There is one on the Rabbi's street that is great: all ceramic tile floors, 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 2-car garage, built-in bookcases, fireplace, oak trees, a covered patio, and a skylight in the living room. The main problem with the house (aside from the price: asking $138,500) is that it has a pool. I am not hot on pool maintenance, but the idea of having a pool is kind of neat. We'll see. I don't see us being able to afford that kind of house without some help, but there is always the chance that we will find the cash somewhere...
• I have recently signed up for a Bloglines account, which is helping me keep up with the goings-on in the world. I like being able to use the same account at home and at work because it stays updated. Do you have any experience with services like that? Any suggestions?

I think that is about everything. Now that I am keeping up with the news maybe I will have more to talk about. Don't forget, though, that I still post tech articles with opinions every day at Geek.com.

Labels: Technology