Current Mood:Confused emoticon Confused

So after a bit of investigation, here’s where we stand (sorry for the formatting problem, but Wordpress doesn’t have many HTML options for font size):

Company Model Base Price Config. Price Monthly City Mileage Hwy Mileage Perks
Chevrolet HHR $19,855.00 $23,605.00 $346.00 10.4 L/100 km 6.8 L/100 km Side airbags, iPod control
Chrysler PT Cruiser $19,695.00 $23,945.00 $402.00 11.9 L/100 km 8.6 L/100 km  
Dodge Caliber $16,245.00 $17,895.00 $277.00 8.5 L/100 km 6.8 L/100 km Beverage cooler, luminescent drink holders
Kia Spectra5 LX Convenience $19,895.00 $21,350.00 $281.14 8.6 L/100 km 6.2 L/100 km  
Mazda 5 $20,795.00 $23,184.95 $362.44 9.6 L/100 km 7.1 L/100 km 6 seats, rain-sensing wipers, sliding doors  
Pontiac Vibe $19,210.00 $23,440.00 $302.00 8.2 L/100 km 6.3 L/100 km  
Saturn Astra $17,900.00 $21,700.00 $293.00 8.5 L/100 km 6.4 L/100 km 6 airbags, rain-sensing wipers, 1 year OnStar  
Subaru Impreza $21,595.00 $22,814.95 $420.94    
Toyota Matrix XR $20,735.00 $23,004.00 $401.04 8.0 L/100 km 6.0 L/100 km 6 airbags, aux input jack, cruise control

I can’t find any information on the Impreza’s gas consumption, but with the highest monthly cost there’s no point. The Matrix and PT Cruiser are the next highest. I’m surprised about the PT Cruiser’s poor mileage. All 3 go.

Style-wise, I was dithering between the PT Cruiser and HHR; I like those classic lines. Notice that the HHR is now the second-highest priced vehicle remaining on the list and the mileage also isn’t that great? I’ll reserve judgement on it until after a test drive.


Current Mood:Borg-like emoticon Borg-like

I was able to swap out the jack and switch without too much difficulty.  The lock switch was the hardest part, as you have to unscrew the inner switch from a tiny piece that connects to the metal switch on the outside and try to line it all up…very minute parts!

After I was done I found that the lock switch wasn’t working after I got most of it back together, so instead of unscrewing all that again I did a little jiggery-pokery and it’s all working!

It’s alive! ALIVE!


Current Mood:Alarmed emoticon Alarmed

So I replaced the damaged screen on my iPod, all by myself! When I hooked it back together it worked great. Then I tried to listen to it…only one earbud worked. So, I pulled it apart again, reset the headphone ribbon back on the mainboard and tried again…no sound. I tried a half-dozen resets, but nothing. Looks like the ribbon got pinched as I closed the iPod back up.

Back to eBay I go, to find a $6 replacement part (+$16 shipping of course)…

Addendum:   And what should arrive in my e-mailbox just now?  An ad for the new 32 GB iPod Touch.  (drool)


Current Mood:Playful emoticon Playful

I’ll be bowling for Big Brothers/Big Sisters on Feb. 29 after work. I would appreciate it if any of my friends could donate a little to help.

Thanks!


Current Mood:Alarmed emoticon Alarmed

So I was getting into Lara’s car the other day.  I was in a bit of a hurry due to the wind and snow so when I got in I wasn’t taking the normal amount of care.  When I closed the door there was something in the way:  the pocket of my jacket…with my iPod Video 30GB in it!

With a sick feeling in my stomach I switched it on.  Sure enough, the screen was cracked, creating a black slash down the left-hand side and blurring the rest of the screen.  It looks like every second horizontal line is missing:

ipod_broken.jpg

The Future Shop extended warranty (I made sure to get it after my last iPod died just after the basic warranty expired) doesn’t cover accidental damage.  I’ll call Apple, but I get the feeling they’re not going to fix it.

The iPod still works and the case itself is undamaged; it’s just the screen inside.  I won’t be using it for video but it’ll still play audio files fine.  Guess that’ll have to do for now.


Current Mood:Borg-like emoticon Borg-like

I started up my ICQ account waaaay back in the days of dial-up and have used it until a few days ago.  Now I’m getting Russian spam every day, and I’m tired of it.  All my friends are on MSN so I’ll be using just that from now on.

End of an era…


Mood: :shock:

Tonight when I got to my ex’s place to take care of the kids Geoffrey asked me to take him to a park. Because they generally eat around 6pm we normally don’t have enough time to do that beforehand, and after dinner it gets dark, we normally can’t.

Dinner was going to be late so I said we could go for a half hour. Because of the limited amount of time I asked if I could leave Emily behind so that Geoffrey could ride his bike there and back. Both Grandpa and Uncle said okay, they would keep an eye on her.

When Geoffrey and I got back almost 45 minutes later, Emily was nowhere to be found. I rushed about the house to see if she perhaps went to have a nap or out to the swings in the back but she was GONE.

I was just starting to freak out when Uncle Steve flagged down a police car. Over a half hour earlier they had picked up a little girl IN THE MIDDLE OF THE STREET wanting her grandma, but nobody knew who she was. They took her to the police station and had patrolled until they found some frantic parental-looking people. Emily was soon back home, and probably not understanding how absolutely freaked out we all were.

HOLY FUCK. She’s two, and is already showing this level of independence! She was found with her hat, pink rubber boots and a backpack on, about a half block down the street, on the way to the park.

They’re definitely going to set the chain on the door from now on. Good thing they live in such a good neighbourhood!


Mood: :mrgreen:

The company I work for is having a fundraising pub night at the Jolly Miller on Friday, Sep. 14 from 6-10pm. It’s $10 to attend and the money is going to help a family at Christmastime. If anyone would like to come please let me know and I’ll get you a ticket (just get me $10 at some point). The ticket includes a burger, salad, fries and a drink, which would cost about that much anyway (if not more), so it’s win-win.


Mood: :mrgreen:

00. Think of the first word that comes to mind when you think of me.
01. Run a Google image search on that word.
02. Reply to this entry & post a link to one of the pictures from your search, but don’t tell me what the word was.
03. Put this on your blog/journal, so I can do the same.


Mood: :mrgreen:

Just for Joe, since his suggestion made more sense:

I Like Pie