DirecTV Version 2.0

Grace slept in today again and so we didn't go out today like I thought we might. I was considering going on a bike ride, but we ended up not having time anyway. Right after breakfast the DirecTV installer called and asked if he could come early. I said no problem and he showed up before lunch.

We got our new receiver (DVR Plus Model R15) and to some extent I'm not all that disappointed, but it's not as good overall as the old receiver. Tivo really is the best in my opinion. It's called a dual-tuner receiver and indeed you can record two things at once, but you can't switch between the two shows like you could on the old receiver (Hughes model DVR80.) So unless you're recording at least one thing you can't watch two shows. That's irritating! I read online that allegedly they plan to have a software upgrade in the future that will change this, but until or even IF that happens we're stuck without it. One good thing is that you can rewind for 90 minutes instead of only 30 minutes. But like I just said that's only for one show, you don't have two buffers for the two tuners, only one.

Another irritation is that the remote works on the same frequency as the High-Definition receiver and so whenever I turn it off or on or change a channel, etc. it does the same thing on both receivers. I'm certain there is a way around this, but I haven't figured this out yet and the instructions don't tell you anything.

I called the office of Lisa Madigan - the Illinois Attorney General - today to find out the status of our complaint with Libertyville Lincoln Mercury but the person handling it was out. Hopefully they will call back tomorrow. I also called the Ford store today and they need their Edge back, so I'll be dropping it off tomorrow after gymnastics; and yes, I'm getting a Taurus.

On the fun side, a friend of mine called me today and we talked Fantasy Football! I'm so ready for football to start. Bears training camp starts July 27. Unfortunately we'll be in Colorado at that time. But maybe I can convince Julie to stop there on the way home. We'll be practically driving right by it! Anyway, my friend and I were talking about getting things started for this year and possibly using a different server this year to host our league. We've used RTSports for the last two or three years I think and it's not all that special. I think we're going to revert to a site we've used in the past called fanstar. I think my Dad is going to join the league this year, but we still will need at least one more franchise owner.

Sunday

We all got up a little late today but still made it to church, albeit a few minutes late. After that we ran to the 7-11 so Julie could see the US99 people; she won a CD from them. We came home and I mowed the grass. I was finally able to trim the yard as I purchased a new weed trimmer attachment for my weed trimmer. It now works and the yard looks much better for it.

I'm slowly going through all the junk on my desk and am putting it where it belongs or I'm throwing it out. It's not easy; my desk is a disaster area. Like my uncle would say, pull the front-loader around and fill up the dumpster. Unfortunately most of the stuff here is important so I can't just throw it away.

I made a to-do list of things for us to complete in the family room today and it's quite long. Not sure how long this will take or how much money it'll cost, but the end should justify the means. Speaking of means, DirecTV is coming tomorrow to give us our "free" receiver. I hope it's not as bad as I'm thinking it might be. I forgot to mention that the dealership wants the Edge back. So I'll need to give that back soon and I'll be getting a Taurus - oh yea. I won't really miss the edge; it's not the right car for us - especially with only 16-17 mpg around town. Julie's car gets much better mileage and our new car should get good mileage too. Julie's car - a 2005 Mercury Montego - was getting 34 mpg on the expressway yesterday as long as we didn't go over 60. Once we went over 60 it went down to 28 mpg; even up to 75 mph.

Picnics

Spent the majority of the day today getting ready for our picnic tomorrow. We got most of the house cleaned up, most toys put away (they come back out immediately) and the carpet vacuumed and shampooed. Plus I got the groceries bought. I still need to clean the hardwood floors and start cooking; boil the brat's and cook the corn. But we didn't buy any pop or beer, so we may have to run out and buy a few things tomorrow yet. Looks like the weather should hold out and it should be a nice sunny and fairly warm day.

Some friends of ours are moving out of the country and we wanted to take them to dinner tonight, but they were busy packing and couldn't make it. Maybe they can come to our picnic tomorrow. We're going to have to get a bigger house for these picnics. Looks like we will have a minimum of 34 people plus 4 more who might stop by and 8 more we mentioned it to today. Sure hope we have enough food. That's always my biggest fear. Maybe I'll grab more burgers tomorrow when I'm buying the beer and pop.

I'm moving along on my book about ASP.net 2.0 Programming. Made it through chapter 5 this morning while Julie was at dance class and Grace was still sleeping. Now it's getting to the fun stuff where you actually start doing things that create a web site.

Finally got to talk to my Mom tonight. Haven't talked to her in a while - probably a month. She seems to be doing good. She bought a Toyota Prius a few months ago and Mom said that my step-Dad bought one just a few days ago. So they are a two Prius family now. Would have never guessed that as he has driven a Rav-4 forever. Mom said she's been getting between 45-50 mpg and my step-Dad has been getting more since he does more city driving. I can't wait to get my new Escape. It should be in no longer than 3 1/2 weeks from now.

We're driving the loaner now which is a 2007 Ford Edge. It is a nice car; great ride, excellent acceleration and lots of bells and whistles but the fuel mileage isn't that great and the headrests aren't very comfortable. I do kind of like the color - Ford calls it copper, here's a picture.

But again, I can't wait for my new car. With gas at the price it is, I need the fuel mileage. I wish I could have the profits of one of the big oil companies for just one day. Boy would that change things in my life.

Alright, well I'm tired and must get to bed.