University of Craigslist

Because of this little thing, I'm shopping for a new laptop. Coincident with pestering my few remaining friends at Apple for an employee discount* I looked at Craigslist. I think I found a good deal. I'll find out tomorrow. Just a few things:

1) I hate dealing with cash. $100 here or there is fine, but having laptop-territory cash around makes me nervous.

2) People are amazing. I've commented before about the person selling an Apple router for list price. Then a few weeks later it comes down a few bucks and a few weeks later a few more. The current price (and they've had them listed for months) is about $20 below list, but you have to buy two.

3) People are amazing part two. If this isn't a hot computer, I'm tempted to call the person and ask why they're selling a $2,800 computer for $600.

4)  People are amazing part three. This person got huffy (I think she was huffy-  it was via email, but she all capped "FIRM") when I asked if she'd come down a hundred bucks. But the day before the same computer was $1,100. So, it seemed like a fair question. $1,000 is not a great deal.

There. I've just pissed off someone selling a hot computer and suggested I had a lot of cash lying around…

* Apple has a program called "Friends and Family". It's there just begging you to harass anyone with an employee badge.

Update: Actually looking at the picture of the $600 Mac, I don't think they're selling what they think they're selling. To be charitable, they must have looked up the current edition of what they've got and just posted the specs.

Tech Support Form Hall of Shame

I've been using Google Voice since before it was Google Voice. I had a suggestion for them (I'm full of ideas.) The Google team, not surprisingly, uses Google Docs to collect feedback. So, I filled out their simple form and hit submit.

Tech Support Form Hall of Shame

I've been having problems uploading data from my Garmin Forerunner to the Garmin web site. So, I thought I'd send them some error messages that were cropping up.

This is their support web form: (comments added. :-) )

And then, when I try to submit the form.

I bet this never happened to Joe Biden

The day started at the Amtrak station for the 7:00 to San Francisco. Since I had a 10 pack, all I needed was the $2.00 bus ticket to get from Emeryville to SF.

The first problem was the computer system couldn't sell me a $2 ticket unless it was also part of a train ticket purchase. Otherwise it's $8. Fine.

The 2nd problem was the 7:00 train is cancelled for the next two weeks for track maintenance. Next train in 50 minutes.

So, pass on Amtrak.  I need to get some work done.

Drove to North Concord; schlepped heavy Timbuk2 bag (over-loaded with my laptop, since I was going to have an hour and a half on the train to get some stuff done).

Got off at Embarcadero, started up the stairs and slipped, dropped over-loaded Timbuk2 bag and cracked the screen on the laptop.

 

The day got better. Really.  I mean, I get to buy a new Mac. :-)

A Day In Marin

One of the nice fallouts from the marathon running is that Carrie (LFEW) wants us to run a half-marathon in February. She wasn't a runner, but is now, and has started her training. We ran together two weeks ago and setup a biweekly schedule to run together, alternating locations. She lives in San Rafael, I'm in Elk Grove, so one of us is driving to the other's place once a month. It was my turn to go to Marin today.

Invariably when we get together, the todo list is fairly long. Even after whacking a few things off the list, we had a busy day.

The first stop was the Marin Headlands, right next to the north side of the Golden Gate Bridge. Carrie's nephew, Andy, is battling Leukemia and friends and family have formed Team Andy! with each member buying a tee-shirt to 'represent'. (any time you have to put a word in quotes you should chose a different word.)  Carrie and I wanted to do an Amelie sort of thing with the Team Andy! shirt, so we visited the Golden Gate Bridge. It was a gorgeous day.

(on the back of the shirt are the lyrics to "You'll Never Walk Alone".)

While in the headlands, I played with the video feature of the new camera:
(I was polite in the next test...)

We left the Bridge and went around the block, as it were, to the Larkspur Ferry Landing. This gave us a shot of Team Andy! in front of a big Ferry with San Quentin in the back!

After the photo tour we went back to Carrie's and suited up for a four mile, hilly run. Mid-course, we found ourselves at Golden Hinde Blvd and I was glad I was carrying a camera on a run. :-)

After that, it got prosaic. Dinner, a quick run to Costco and some tech support and I was home by 9:00.

Thanks for the hospitality Tia Carmelita!

Friday on the road

Spent the afternoon and evening at the gig in SF. Phase 1 of the big migration is complete and it looks like it went well. There were a few burps, but it looks like they were out of our control.

After that it was dinner with the daughters.

Lilah & Molly are four years apart. They had their moments with each other when they were growing up, but now they're actually friends. And roommates. If they're having any issues with each other, they've made a pact to keep them from me. It's the high point of the week when I see them.

More getting things done

Friday lunch moved to Thursday. Hair cut. Consulting on cover page for friend. 

Overwatered plant on counter resulting in flood, but much cleaner counter. 

Talked to prospect who might want me after current gig is up. 

Worked on current gig. 

Worked on another client project that I'm fairly proud of but haven't been able to show off because it's behind a password. They're opening up a bit. I'll be able to brag on it soon.

And since you stuck with me this long - Princess Leia sunbathing. Twice.