Boys and their toys

No, unfortunately I didn't realize my dream of owning a vintage Austin Healey or Alfa Romeo.  In my next life maybe, but it doesn't look too promising for this one.  What I did buy, though, was a new camera.

It's still just a point-and-shoot variety, but this one has a 30X optical zoom, 'cause, you know, sometimes a guy just has to zoom in on something 30 times.  :)

For a few years now I've used a simple pocket camera that has served me admirably:

To photograph cars at a car show or similar it's been great, and I'll still use it some, but recently I've wanted a photo of something that was just a bit out of range and I was dead in the water with this one.

I learned long ago that anything with much more than an on/off button is too complex for me.  Consumer Reports and lots of user reviews said this one was easy peasy.  Sold!  And so far the camera has been.  It's setting it up to connect (via Wifi) with my computer, iPad, iPhone, etc that has been a pain. 

The instructions just assume everyone starts out with at least an Associates Degree in Computer Technology.  They really shouldn't let a techie write the how-to instructions for a consumer electronic device....they can't think simple enough.  I finally had to call in my in-house IT guru (K) and she set me up.  Sort of.

Take a picture...press x button...wait for it...it connects to my computer...do this...do that...drag it here...on and on.  Finally, about 8 steps later I was able to produce a picture I could share on my blog.  Jeez, this is gonna take all day to download all my car pics.  

*OMG, what have I done?  Can I take it back?  Where's the box?*

But then, on my iMac, I did something (unknown) and suddenly a pop-up asked, "Do you want to download your pictures directly to iPhoto?"  

ABSO-FRICKIN'-LUTELY I DO!  (Apple to the rescue! :)

Bada Bing....now it works like a champ.  God does indeed look after idiots, drunks, and now the tech challenged, too.  :)

Have a great weekend everyone.  Stay warm.

S

It's the little things....

We have a new toy, the result of The Great Corny Dog Incident of '13.

It's a convection toaster oven.

It all began on a warm summer's eve last week when K and I both wanted something to eat, but not a full blown meal.  She asked, "How about a couple of corny dogs?"  Ummm....OK.  As pre-heating the big 'ol electronic hot box under the stove takes so long, K just nuked 'em in the microwave instead.  

Gag!

The breading tasted like it had been soaking in water for several hours.  It was just awful.  She said a small countertop toaster oven would have been the way to go, except we didn't have a toaster oven.  She said it just makes cooking something simple for two (or was it cooking something for two simpletons?) so much easier.  I've never had a toaster oven, and as I've written about in the past, my mother wasn't a cook at all, so this was an all-new concept for me.

K always kids me about my tendency to run to Consumer Reports before I buy anything much more than a pair of socks, and this purchase was no exception.  There were several Breville toaster ovens rated on top, but they were $180....not gonna happen!  Next highest rated was this little Oster model.  I couldn't find it at any store locally, so it was Amazon to the rescue.

It arrived yesterday and we gave it the ultimate test....yep, corny dogs again.  This time I think even Consumer Reports would have approved, if they were to ever test corny dogs.  They were crispy and delicious, just like the ones Fletcher's cooks up at the Great State Fair of Texas.  ;)

And let me just say for the record, yes, they were 100% pure beef (from select cuts of the ear, hoof, and ass) and the breading was pure natural / green / organic / free range, too.  I'm pretty sure.  

S

I think we've outsmarted ourselves

What is the deal with washing machines today?   Since when does a simple washer cost $1,000 or more?  I bought a Whirlpool high efficiency, high capacity, state-of-the-art model less than 3 years ago and it's now making such a horrendous racket I doubt it will last the week.  It's a piece of crap!  Whirlpool....crap.  Remember that.

I've gone online and found that these things are notorious for bearing failure and dumping transmissions.  The cost to fix is more than the washer is worth, plus it's likely it will do the same thing....same factory parts....within another 2 or 3 years.  Extended service warranties are usually just a cash cow for the manufacturers so I never get them.  This is one time I wish I had.

Remember the day when you'd buy a Kenmore washer and dryer (made by Whirlpool) and they would last 15-20 years with minimal, usually do-it-yourself maintenance?

I certainly don't remember mom looking like this!  (And if Donna Reed had been my mom, I guarantee I would have noticed.)

Think about it....all it does is jump up and down for a while, then spin round and round for a while.  (The washer, not mom.)  Big whoop.  You'd think they would have perfected them by now.

I've gone to Consumer Reports to get the low-down on which one I should buy next, but looking at the customer reviews, even for the highest rated models, nobody seems too happy with any brand/model.  And if you look at the "how long have you owned this washer" question, most say less than one year.  ONE YEAR?  Really?  They can't keep a $1,000 washer glued together for a year?  *shaking head*

I think I'm gonna take my FIL's advice and just buy the cheapest one I can find.  The more expensive and complicated they are, the more features they have (that nobody uses anyway), the more trouble they are.  A washing machine shouldn't need a "mother board", for cryin' out loud.  They're making these things waaaaay too complicated.  

S