Woo Hoo! (Homer Simpson)

My test on the new PVR was very successful so I have now purchased a set of AVS software for it. This brings the family total of AVS licences up to three, I think we should get a discount! Joking aside, it's very good software and not particularly expensive either. It's good to be able to use tried and tested applications on important hardware.
On a much sadder note, I have just discovered that a close family friend has died of a brain haemorrhage this week. Young, compared to me, and with two teenage children and both parents still living. I didn't know Steven very well, we had only met at a few family weddings and parties but my mother was very fond of him. He will be missed greatly.

It's astounding....... Time is fleeting.......Madness takes it's toll.

Yes, I got into a time warp yesterday. After a trying day at work, I decided that the two dual core Atom computers were going to be conquered and made to toe the line.

I began with the new PVR based on the new Zotac mini itx motherboard with the latest NVidia chip set. I needed to install an operating system and I didn't have a DVD drive available. So I had to remove the drive from my work station and cobble it up with a USB adaptor just to install the OS and software. Once I had the basics working, I was able to remove the DVD and use the network for the rest. The results are stunning! This is a very fast and capable system. It's so good, I am going to buy a second set of AVS software for it.

Then I moved over to the carputer. I had already installed the OS on this one so I fitted a temporary mains power supply and set up the new Mimo 7" touch screen monitor on it. Once again, stunning! The computer is very good but the monitor is amazing. There will be pictures soon.

Well worth the wait?

Image by Brandon Cirillo via Flickr

As has been documented elsewhere, I have been experiencing difficulties with janis and they have made my life somewhat complicated for a while. Now, most of that is sorted out and, pending the MOT, life should return to normal very soon.
As a result of the good news, I was able to enjoy my visit to "The Rocky Horror Show" on Saturday evening.
A wonderful show and a great cast but a few very annoying members of the audience who decided that nasty heckling was OK. I know that TRHS is supposed to have audience participation of a sort, but these few went much too far and could have spoilt it for the rest of us had not the cast managed to stay well in command.
On Monday, Hazel and I cleared our bedroom and laid the 3ply flooring prior to the new carpeting to be laid when all is ready. It doesn't sound much but it took all day and we are exhausted.

I got it right that time eh?

Norfolk was very sunny last week. I got sun burned on my little bald spot.

We lived in a house boat for the week and it was very nice apart from the toilet system......... Least said, soonest mended. We also went out for a day on a small cruiser and that was very good fun. The only advice I would offer here is don't go out and back in one day on the Broads. It is a fairly remote area with little of great interest except, maybe, to birdwatchers and the speed of travel being limited to four mph for most of the time can make the return journey somewhat tedious. Please don't take this the wrong way, we loved the whole area but I think we got it wrong with our plans. Next time, I want to travel about and see much more of the area by boat.

Oh this year we're off to sunny..................

Norfolk.

It just doesn't have the same ring to it does it? However, as I have always wanted to go to Norfolk, I can hardly be said to be disappointed. The problems with the Merc are detailed elsewhere so suffice it to say I am really looking forward to not thinking on my feet for a week or so.

My thumb is just now returning to normal after a week of discomfort. It took several days before I could type without pain and even longer to be able to hold a pen and sign my name. The problem, I think, was more to do with the arthritis than the fall but, either way, it smarted a bit!
I re-sealed the roof last evening and I will check it tonight but I really think I have cracked it at last. Despite some rain over the past four days, nothing has come into the house so we live in hopes.......

So far, so good?

Well, no sign of any more leaking despite heavy rain yesterday. I will probably remove the tarpaulin this evening and give it a good test over the next couple of days. I may even be able to do the first spray just before we go for our holiday.

A real fall this time.

With all my weight on my right thumb. Ouch!

There I was, on the floor with Samuel. We had the track just about set up and my knees began to scream at me so I tried to get up. Well, I managed half way and then descended very rapidly on to my head. To save myself from serious head damage, I put out my hand and, somehow, only my thumb connected. It is still hurting now and is actually stopping me from typing because of the pain.
We all spent some time at Pauls caravan over the weekend and a good time was had by all. On Monday, I did some more work on the leaking terrace and may have solved the problem for good this time. We have all watched the new Dr Who now and most of us think it's pretty good, even Ian who, for a while, threatened not to watch it because David Tenant had left. I also managed to catch the Jonathan Creek special on Monday and liked it well enough although I thought the plot was a touch weak in places.