A Dead Machine

My advice to anybody who owns a computer, never turn the damn thing off. Before heading off to San Diego last Tuesday, I decided to do my bit for the world and powered down my Windows and Linux boxes. Returning home last night, my Windows machine would not boot. No POST, no video, nada! This is the second time I've turned off my machine for any length of time and the second time I have run into booting problems. The first time, something went amiss with my power supply which I was able to eventually detect and correct. This time though, it doesn't appear to be the power supply. At this point, I haven't got a clue what it is. I've tried clearing the CMOS and booting up with a minimum of memory and drives. My mobo is an Asus A7N8X Dlx Revision 2 for anybody that might have some insight to share. It powers up, the CD-ROM lights flash, the green LED lights up and so too does the hard drive LED on the case, but no booty!

Happy Thanksgiving

I know these wishes come late, but what the heck. As far as we're concerned we're still celebrating it down here in San Diego with family. Thankgiving this year was a huge party with two turkeys, one traditionally roasted and the other deap fried. I think we're going to try the deep fried next year - bloody marvelous!

This past weekend we got to relive our youth with a trip to Disneyland (something I've been wanting to do since I was knee high to a grasshopper). The time with my uncle Frank and his family (and now our family or extended family if you will) as well as catching up with uncle Paul and me grandma (who we fondly call Ouma, a title she has taken on as a name) could not have been better. Our only regret is that this is all coming to an end tomorrow with return to Chicago in the evening :(

Photos will follow shortly.

Green Tea Benefits

A great article for green tea lovers out there about the benefits of green tea, your health, and prevention of diseases. I also like the mention of the benefits of red wine (something I believe I overdosed on last night).

read more | digg story

My Lobotomy

Crikey, this story impressed me and appalled me so much that I thought I had to tell you all about it. Can't believe people let this doctor do what he did. Listen to the podcast if you have the chance.

Can you hear me now?

Friday's Rocketboom vlog entry had me chuckling. Warning - the language might be considered a little offensive by some.

Got to Love those Busy Weekends

These are the kinds of weekends I live for. Started out on a terrific note with after work drinks at "Rivers" with Leane, Nicole and Pierre. A sort of bon voyage for Pierre who's heading over to Barcelona to present his architecture paper at a conference. Who am I kidding, it was really all about the beer!

Inna and I have been known to enjoy the odd breakfast on a weekend morning at IHOP or Denny's, but I honestly cannot remember the last time we did this. So you can imagine my excitement at being able to join Gena & Masha for some bacon and eggs to start the day at some or other Family Restaurant in Libertyville (you've got to keep in my mind the strict organic, sodium restricted, delicious food restricted diet I've been on thanks to some "advice" from mom-in-law). Little Danny joined us and was so well behaved that he certainly deserved a little more than the milk he received.

An evening at Jeff & Christina's on Saturday night had us learning how to play Canasta as well as being treated to some succulent (if a little dry, according to Christina at least) salmon marinated in vinegrette/mustard/maple-syrup. I understand I may have overdone the wine a little but by the end of the evening, we were hooked on the game and we eagerly anticipate our next gathering to continue clocking up those points.

Sunday, by comparison, was fairly quiet, but not any less busy. Our day was spent moving back into our mostly completed kitchen, thanks to the counter-top being installed the day before. I was also able to complete the installation of the pullout cabinet front (one of the few Ikea items that isn't predrilled - you have to make your own holes using templates and a measuring tape). All that stands between us and a finished project are a backsplash, kickboard and a leaky water filter in our refrigerator.

Some More Photos

We've added some more photos to our flickr collection. Unfortunately, rather than a select few, it is serving more as a backup of our photo collection (or will) so I apologize for the almost duplicates that you may find.

Day of the Dead

DSC00588
Originally uploaded by Macknal.

Leane and Will threw a "Day of the Dead" party this past weekend. A sampling of many different foods (favorites of loved ones who have passed) accompanied by a great assortment of alcoholic beverages (favorites of those still living).