How Did We Survive Before Cable TV and Always-On Internet?

At approximately 2:00 pm yesterday, our internet and cable TV went dead. Tina called Technical Support at Cogeco and there was a message about system wide issues in Essex and Chatham counties. Okay, she thought.

By 7:00 pm, still no joy. Tina called up tech support again. The message was gone so she was put through to internet tech support. They ran her through the usual gamut of questions. At one point I got involved. The tech person tried to reset the connection but nothing. So we scheduled an appointment for Friday morning.

Tina was none to happy at having no internet or TV until Friday morning. So she called cable TV support. She got a much better response and a service called was arranged for today.

The service person came by just before lunch and found that our connection at the street cable box had been disconnected. Seems the person who installed a new connection the other day decided that it would be a good thing to disconnect a paying customer's connection. The Cogeco service rep couldn't believe that the street box only serviced four houses.

He came in to the house to make sure everything was working. He commented on the monitor and router that we have - something about one of the best monitors and a good router. Can't complain with a seal of approval from a person who is in the know.

Posted by Adam

Brantford Via London . . . and Best Buy

It was time to take Bev back home. Fortunately, Gerry was able to meet us in London. We let the hostage, er, Bev go and said our goodbyes.

We had dinner at Swiss Chalet. It wasn't too bad, but the waitress, who appeared to be new and overwhelmed, forgot part of Tina's meal.

Next we headed over Best Buy where I bought my mom a flat panel LCD TV for her bedroom. They had them in stock and I was in and out in about 10 minutes.

The drive to Brantford was uneventful.

While my mom played with the boys, I decided to setup the new TV. I really wanted to see what this thing was capable of.

It was well packaged in the box and was very easy to set up. I went through the setup menu and in no time had the channels automatically programmed. I drove out to Canadian Tire to pick a component cable for the combo DVD/VCR player. The DVD picture was sharp. The analog TV signal was acceptable.

The next day, I realized that only the DVD player uses the component output, so Tina and I went Wal-Mart and bought some stereo and video cables to hook up the VCR side. We stopped by the chip wagon to get some french fries and drove around Brantford. We stopped in at Lowes and Future Shop before going back to my mom's.

I hooked up the additional cables and revised the 'watching' instructions for my mom. She was in awe of the TV. She couldn't believe how big the picture was.

Jeremy and Corbin played with their Babcia all weekend.

It was a very relaxing weekend. Not a single fight or complaint.

Posted by Adam

The End of an Era...Almost

Today, Tina removed the VCR from the office and a bunch of kids video tapes for Bev & Gerry to take home with them.

Bev mentioned before how their old VCR died. We didn't use the VCR in the office all that much - the boys mostly watched DVDs - so we decided to give them the VCR. Tina also packed in a bunch of toys for the boys so that when we go up to Goderich, the boys can play with something other than dolls and 'girl' toys.

We still have one VCR downstairs, but I think that VCR will be on it's way out before the end of the summer. I haven't used for god knows how long. I see that space being replaced by a HD digital cable tuner with a PVR or maybe a PS3. Who knows?

Posted by Adam

New Computer

Tina has been on me to get a new computer in light of Jeremy starting school and Corbin having a laptop at school. I think she wants the laptop all to herself. So me being me, I research (aka procrastinate). I was looking to buy a machine that had some power and options that I liked and that would not have to be upgraded in a year's time.

I saw a desktop package online at Future Shop consisting on an HP Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 2.40GHz Computer (M9040N) and a HP 22-inch LCD monitor. The price for the package was $1599.99. However, the HP monitors are glossy and I don't like seeing the reflection of lights and things in the room.

The next day I noticed that all desktop computers were 10% off - one of the 25 days of web deals. The M9040N was on sale as were two 22-inch widescreen LCD monitors - an LG and a Samsung. I did some research and settled on the Samsung 226BW. I had previously owned a Samsung SyncMaster CRT monitor that was exceptional. I sold it to a friend who still uses it.

I ordered the computer and monitor online choosing the pick up option. About 40 or so minutes later, I received the email confirming the order and that it was ready for pick up.

After supper, Jeremy and I headed over first to Future Shop to pick up the computer and then to Best Buy so Jeremy could buy some DVDs. Along the way, Jeremy stated that "this is not the way to Best Buy". I responded that we had to go to Future Shop first to get the new computer and then we would go to Best Buy.

I love pick up at Future Shop. No hassles. No selling any service plans. They take a hard copy of your email, get the order, ask for your credit card, you sign a receipt and away you go. Jeremy played his 'cute' role. He thought he could help me by carrying the monitor - I don't think so. We loaded the boxes into the van and headed to Best Buy.

At Best Buy, I bought some CD-RW to record songs on and Jeremy bought a Scooby Doo DVD and a Backyardigans Super Secret Super Spy DVD. I signed up for the Reward Zone card, seeing as we do purchase items on a regular basis from Best Buy.

Returned home and Tina couldn't believe how narrow the box for the monitor was. I put the boxes in the office out of the way. I'll set up the computer tomorrow afternoon.

Posted by Adam