clean install
Yesterday, I tried ridding my laptop of the junk that comes free with any purchased computer these days. Roughly 20 GB of crap sat on my hard drive, and it was time to clean it up. The only true way to do this is to restore XP from scratch. This task is never an easy one. In fact, each time I do it, I always seem to mess something up.
- This time, it was the ability to play a DVD/CD without booting Windows (known as MediaDirect).
- Not only did I break that function, I lost the decoder that plays DVD’s in Windows.
- And just when I thought things were bad, while trying to fix MD, I somehow erased some of the data I had backed up on a DVD.
Nearly 12 hours, 13 backup disks, 2 restore CD’s, 9 downloads, 3 message boards, 4.5 hours of sleep, 3 mishaps, and 2 XP installs later … I’m somewhat back to normal. Just a matter of restoring all the little apps I use. MediaDirect is working again, and I can play DVD’s both in MD and XP. However, the data is gone. Oh well; it could’ve been worse.
Pujols delivers another win
Just as the sun poked through the clouds in the 8th inning, Albert Pujols hit his 14th home run (a Major League record for April) to put the Cards on top for good.
fine arts
Tonight we went to D’s school for their spring fine arts festival. Works of art by the students were on display. The beginner, intermediate, and advanced bands and D’s chorus put on great performances. Familiar music was on hand; highlights included The Simpsons, Star Wars, and Earth Wind & Fire’s “September”. Given my camera has no optical zoom, I just took random shots. I did try to record audio; the quality is not the best, but it captures the performances well. I will try editing the audio and post some of it this weekend.
fast weekend
Time flies.
- Cut the grass for the first time this year. I’ll need to treat the yard for weeds and prune some tree branches.
- Washed CL’s car; after last week’s trip, dead bugs everywhere. Looks good now.
- Being outside this weekend is beating me up. My allergies are getting the best of me. Need to stock up on drugs.
- cooling pad before
and after 
- Jarhead – *** – great performance by Jake Gyllenhaal.
- Mission: Impossible – **** – a birthday gift from the kids. It’s amazing how much more you enjoy a movie when you actually “get it”. Looking forward to M:I-III.
- Chicago Cubs 7, St Louis 3 – Greg Maddux still got it. What else is there to say?
Final week of April; one-third of the year is about done. Time flies.
good baseball
The Cardinals are playing well lately. Today’s game was the first I’d seen since the home opener. I’ve been missing all of Pujols’s homers (11 to date), but today he contributed with a two-run single to put the Cards up for good. The bullpen was impressive as St Louis looks to sweep the Cubs at Busch.
recently viewed
Secondhand Lions – ****
A great “feel-good” movie. Made me yearn for my childhood again.
Derailed – ***
Somewhat predictable; I was disappointed in Clive Owen’s character.
pics on flickr
I’ve implemented a new plugin that enables me to show pictures that are on my Flickr account here on my blog. Just click on the pics tab.
easter weekend
Had a great weekend in Charlotte. Surprisingly cool at the start, but hot the rest of the way.
- Spent time with my brother-in-law Gary and his kids
- Got to experience TV in high def (very, very cool)
- Had a wonderful Easter dinner made by CL and her mom
- Participated in a ping pong tourney (Gary proved he’s the champ)
- Celebrated my 34th birthday (thanks to all for the gifts! and thank you, Jean, for the cake!)
- Kids had an Easter egg hunt (I missed it due to not feeling so well)
All in all, a wonderful weekend with family.
new orleans library
I received an email today talking about the need for books in New Orleans.
You can box them up to send to New Orleans Public Library. They are asking for any and all hardcover and paperback books to restock the shelves after Katrina. The library staff will assess which titles will be designated for the shelves. The rest will be distributed to destitute families or sold for library fundraising. The books can be sent to …
I’ve read up on this problem, and found that the library is overwhelmed with book donations. Due to storage and staff limitations, they request you read their FAQ to get a better understanding of what it is NOPL needs. If you feel the need to be rid of your old books, sell them and donate the proceeds to the NOPL. Thanks to Pat for the tip!
king kong
King Kong (2005) – *****
I originally saw this with D just before the new year. We watched the DVD as a family on my in-laws’ new 50 inch HDTV; looks fantastic! This movie keeps you hooked from beginning to end. The special effects are outstanding, from New York in the 30′s to Skull Island to Kong himself. What really separates this from the original is the relationship between Kong and Ann Darrow. While Kong cares for his captive, Fay Wray didn’t really care much for the ape – she was truly terrified. In Ann’s case, she reciprocated and understood that he would protect her, at all costs.
batman begins
Batman Begins – *****
The best movie I’ve seen in a long time (well, since King Kong). This is what the 1989 version tried to be – true to the origins of Batman. The story of how Bruce Wayne deals with his fears, gains his skills, and becomes the Caped Crusader is done very well. I will certainly watch this movie again real soon.
road trip
We’re safe and sound in Charlotte. We stopped in Cookeville last night, hit spotty rain showers throughout TN, and unintentionally visited SC for lunch (my fault – missed our exit). Arrived around 3pm and all is well.
Happy Birthday Steve!
Here’s wishing a wonderful day and another great year to my brother-in-law!
Happy Birthday, Jasmine!
My niece turns 4 today 
Cards open new Busch with win
Mark Mulder stole the show in 8 innings, allowing only 2 runs on 7 hits. He also managed some offense with a walk, a double, and a 2-run homer (a career first). The bullpen almost blew it again; with 1 out left in the 9th, they allowed a double, 2 RBI singles, and a walk before Pujols tagged the last man up.
Probably the most touching moment for me was while I listened to it on the radio in my car. I had to make a trip to the store, and I heard the fans sing the National Anthem before the game. I took my hat off and sang along. It’s one of those moments that makes me proud to be an American and proud to be a Cardinals fan.
click on the image for ESPN.com’s Zoom Gallery of Busch Stadium
update 040906
just trying to keep up …
- Work is good. Staying busy, but the dept is still dysfunctional. Everyone has something to say about somebody, and it’s difficult to keep a straight face. I’m on the fence and I’d like to stay there. I don’t agree with everyone, but I’ve learned it’s best to keep your mouth shut.
- Weather here in the midwest sucks. Warm. Storms. Cold. Repeat cycle. People are happy that spring is here, but we can do without severe weather. Especially the tornadoes.
- CL did her scrapbooking thing the past few days. Last night, I went out with some friends. We went to Soulard, and ate at Hammerstones (BLT was excellent) while One Kindred Soul performed; good food and good music. We then hit McGurk’s a few blocks down to eat and drink some more. Afterwards, we hit the Loop in U City. I had never been there, and it was nice to take it all in on a cool evening. CL and I will have to go back for some Thai and Lebanese food.
- Been playing with the design of my site. It’s pretty frustrating. I like one layout, but certain plugins don’t work. So I go with another that allow them to work, but now another set is broken. This one theme, Durable, is awesome. It uses AJAX to allow readers to customize the colors and settings. But the document size is much larger than normal, so it takes a bit to load. And if you play too long with changing the settings, the color panel breaks on you. So I’m sticking with K2.
3 days til we hit the road.
crash
Crash – ****
Oscar winner that jumps around from plot to plot. The characters are linked through racial tensions between each other (and the struggle within themselves). Outstanding ensemble cast.
home opener
Monday is Opening Day for the Cardinals in their new home. One of my friends got to tour the place at the Open House held today. He was very impressed with it. A few minor gripes: stairways are narrower, and restrooms are smaller (although there are more of them).
a history of violence
A History of Violence – ****
Great flick; Viggo Mortensen shines. The characters are intense in this film. Warning: the acts of violence are graphic.
update 040206
It’s April, and a quarter of the year is complete.
- My hair was getting pretty thick and shaggy; hadn’t had it cut since November. Couldn’t take it anymore, so Great Clips helped me out.
- The craziest work week to date for me. Thursday I nearly let a coworker have it after he tried telling me how to do my job. Stress and frustration were getting the best of me. Thankfully, I let it go and am over the whole thing now.
- Salem is misbehaving again. Stormy night Thursday, and he had the nerve to get up and go out in the thick of it. I was so mad that at 3 AM – his third trip out – I left him out there and went back to bed. I woke up an hour later to his barking to be let in.
We leave for NC in 10 days to spend Easter at my in-laws.
That’s right; I’m counting down.
million dollar baby
Million Dollar Baby – ****
Not just about boxing. A great story about a female boxer, her reluctant trainer, and the strong bond that is developed between them. More than halfway through, the story hits you with a sharp right hook (pun intended), and it gives the characters more depth as they take on the challenge. Definitely Oscar material.
