Went skiing at Crystal Mtn on Saturday. Forecast said they got like almost 6" of snow in 3 days but the snow was blech! Slippery slush but icy at the same time making it hard to carve. Disappointing. Worse still is wife fell on only her second run of the day and hurt her knee. Looks like she won't be able to move around for a while :( 

How can things get any worse now right? Well, guess what? Our PCP is no longer available in-network and we had to get a new PCP. Monday was MLK day so the clinics were all closed. The new PCP selected apparently isn't taking new patients either (I'm like WTF? Don't the insurance know this?) so we had to get a new one assigned at the clinic. Now we have to call the insurance back to change it yet again. What a hassle! HMO plans suck donkey balls! First time actually needing to see a doctor and it took multiple phone calls and now we need to make multiple visits! 1 for PCP, 1 for scan and another for a sports doctor to see if she popped a ligament. The US health care system definitely need a major revamp.

BMW M Power iPhone App

Nice little app to see play around with. What does it do? Well, its like a G-Tech, it uses the iPhone's sensors in order to calculate:
Speed
Acceleration
Lateral acceleration (Lateral g)
Travel time for a specified distance
Acceleration to a specific speed

I haven't watched the movie yet. Tomorrow probably. But someone posted this on a forum and I think I will concur with it - My friend said Avatar is like playing MMO

Well the GPS died just before my camping trip. What a hassle. The night before that it worked just fine, then in the morning it refuses to turn on anymore. Thank god my friend has one in his car so we weren't totally lost!

After checking around, it turns out that there is a firmware issue with the Garmin 7x5T series. So they are actually giving free shipping and replacement - Garmin's Site for RMA

However, if you're lucky enough that you can still power on your unit, updating the firmware with the latest one will fix the issue - Garmin Site for Webupdate

One needs to wonder why Excel isn't capable of multi threading VB macros. One such macro is used to remove rows in a sheet that has a corresponding row in another sheet. I'm sitting here waiting for almost 30 minutes for it to remove 26K rows. How slow can that be on a 2.2GHz proc????

I was selling a lens I don't use all that often on Craigslist last night. This morning I got a respond from someone overseas (hint #1) wanting to buy the lens as a gift for someone else (hint #2). They even offered an extra USD$120 for shipping (big hint#3). I'm like no matter where you live, the premium for a lens can't be USD$120!

So I played along and told them I still have the lens. They replied saying they're international and can Paypal me the money. At this point I'm like, maybe there are generous people since I doubt I can be defrauded by straight Paypal transaction. I told them my paypal email address so they can send payment to me. Of course I logged onto Paypal and go through the motion of requesting money and turns out the buyer - sandyjames1@hotmail.com is a verified member. Now I'm like whoa... Lucky me!

They "sent" payment this afternoon. Fancy Paypal email and stuff. But their mistake is 2 fold.

1) They emailed me saying payment was sent. Now this email's writing style is very different from initial emails.
2) The from email address is "service@paypal.com <verifyitemteam@mail2consultant.com>". Such an amateur.

Now I emailed Paypal reporting that a verified member's account might have been compromised, so hopefully that member is not screwed of any money.

Below are the email exchanges -
Delivered-To: <me>@gmail.com
Received: by 10.100.119.7 with SMTP id r7cs120690anc;
Fri, 10 Apr 2009 00:57:34 -0700 (PDT)
Received: by 10.115.18.3 with SMTP id v3mr1807933wai.141.1239350253208;
Fri, 10 Apr 2009 00:57:33 -0700 (PDT)
Return-Path: <bounce-anon-whack=gmail.com@craigslist.org>
Received: from mxo4p.craigslist.org (mxo4p.craigslist.org [208.82.236.169])
by mx.google.com with ESMTP id n40si1118509wag.48.2009.04.10.00.57.32;
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Received-SPF: pass (google.com: domain of bounce-anon-whack=gmail.com@craigslist.org designates 208.82.236.169 as permitted sender) client-ip=208.82.236.169;
Authentication-Results: mx.google.com; spf=pass (google.com: domain of bounce-anon-whack=gmail.com@craigslist.org designates 208.82.236.169 as permitted sender) smtp.mail=bounce-anon-whack=gmail.com@craigslist.org
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by mxi3p.craigslist.org (Postfix) with ESMTP id DC9C4963BF
for <sale-brvbs-1115590185@craigslist.org>; Fri, 10 Apr 2009 00:57:31 -0700 (PDT)
Received: from BLU146-W25 ([65.55.116.73]) by blu0-omc3-s27.blu0.hotmail.com with Microsoft SMTPSVC(6.0.3790.3959);
Fri, 10 Apr 2009 00:57:31 -0700
Message-ID: <BLU146-W25E67157F52599960A116BEF800@phx.gbl>
Content-Type: multipart/alternative;
boundary="bdab837b-fecd-4505-8168-64524796d2dc"
X-Originating-IP: [80.250.34.59]
From: Sandra James <sandyjames1@hotmail.com>
To: <sale-brvbs-1115590185@craigslist.org>
Subject: Canon EF-S 55-250mm IS - $320 (Belltown)
Date: Fri, 10 Apr 2009 00:57:31 -0700
Importance: Normal
MIME-Version: 1.0
X-OriginalArrivalTime: 10 Apr 2009 07:57:31.0841 (UTC) FILETIME=[00607B10:01C9B9B2]

Hello seller,
Let me know if you still have this posting available for sale.
Get back to me as soon as possible..
Thanks

---

Delivered-To: <me>@gmail.com
Received: by 10.100.119.7 with SMTP id r7cs146175anc;
Fri, 10 Apr 2009 08:21:50 -0700 (PDT)
Received: by 10.224.19.210 with SMTP id c18mr4092959qab.233.1239376910337;
Fri, 10 Apr 2009 08:21:50 -0700 (PDT)
Return-Path: <sandyjames1@hotmail.com>
Received: from blu0-omc1-s12.blu0.hotmail.com (blu0-omc1-s12.blu0.hotmail.com [65.55.116.23])
by mx.google.com with ESMTP id 16si1525141qyk.102.2009.04.10.08.21.50;
Fri, 10 Apr 2009 08:21:50 -0700 (PDT)
Received-SPF: pass (google.com: domain of sandyjames1@hotmail.com designates 65.55.116.23 as permitted sender) client-ip=65.55.116.23;
Authentication-Results: mx.google.com; spf=pass (google.com: domain of sandyjames1@hotmail.com designates 65.55.116.23 as permitted sender) smtp.mail=sandyjames1@hotmail.com
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Fri, 10 Apr 2009 08:21:50 -0700
Message-ID: <BLU146-W125A408F255AB45CFD7355EF800@phx.gbl>
Return-Path: sandyjames1@hotmail.com
Content-Type: multipart/alternative;
boundary="2d732fef-d0bd-443f-b389-4c4bec120038"
X-Originating-IP: [80.250.34.59]
From: Sandra James <sandyjames1@hotmail.com>
To: <<me>@gmail.com>
Subject: RE: Canon EF-S 55-250mm IS - $320 (Belltown)
Date: Fri, 10 Apr 2009 08:21:47 -0700
Importance: Normal
In-Reply-To: <49DF6224.2070509@gmail.com>
References: <BLU146-W25E67157F52599960A116BEF800@phx.gbl>
<49DF6224.2070509@gmail.com>
MIME-Version: 1.0
X-OriginalArrivalTime: 10 Apr 2009 15:21:50.0033 (UTC) FILETIME=[11E5C410:01C9B9F0]

Hello,
Thanks for getting back to me.This unit is the exact of what i want for my security Agent as a convocation gift..so i will add an extra $120.60 USD as the shipping charges confirm from http://www.usps.com for international shipping..making it a total of $440.60 USD..and i will make the total if you can help me handle the shipping perfectly..You can send me your PayPal email ID or a PayPal money request through PayPal and i'll proceed with the Payment right away...

Thanks
Hope to read from you soonest
Best Regards...

--

Notice they did not quote the original mail? (I found that cheats usually don't quote your replies)

--

Delivered-To: <me>@gmail.com
Received: by 10.100.119.7 with SMTP id r7cs187847anc;
Fri, 10 Apr 2009 11:49:52 -0700 (PDT)
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Fri, 10 Apr 2009 11:49:52 -0700 (PDT)
Return-Path: <sandyjames1@hotmail.com>
Received: from blu0-omc1-s26.blu0.hotmail.com (blu0-omc1-s26.blu0.hotmail.com [65.55.116.37])
by mx.google.com with ESMTP id 7si1732784qyk.75.2009.04.10.11.49.52;
Fri, 10 Apr 2009 11:49:52 -0700 (PDT)
Received-SPF: pass (google.com: domain of sandyjames1@hotmail.com designates 65.55.116.37 as permitted sender) client-ip=65.55.116.37;
Authentication-Results: mx.google.com; spf=pass (google.com: domain of sandyjames1@hotmail.com designates 65.55.116.37 as permitted sender) smtp.mail=sandyjames1@hotmail.com
Received: from BLU146-W37 ([65.55.116.7]) by blu0-omc1-s26.blu0.hotmail.com with Microsoft SMTPSVC(6.0.3790.3959);
Fri, 10 Apr 2009 11:49:52 -0700
Message-ID: <BLU146-W376F87D61613ED79C595E3EF800@phx.gbl>
Return-Path: sandyjames1@hotmail.com
Content-Type: multipart/alternative;
boundary="0b15d255-e4f2-4514-8c7b-c43d08390ed7"
X-Originating-IP: [80.250.34.59]
From: Sandra James <sandyjames1@hotmail.com>
To: <<me>@gmail.com>
Subject: I have sent The Payment:::::::::::::::::::Kindly Ship Via Global
Express Mail ::::::::::::
Date: Fri, 10 Apr 2009 11:49:52 -0700
Importance: Normal
In-Reply-To: <49DF691A.5090806@gmail.com>
References: <BLU146-W25E67157F52599960A116BEF800@phx.gbl>
<49DF6224.2070509@gmail.com> <BLU146-W125A408F255AB45CFD7355EF800@phx.gbl>
<49DF691A.5090806@gmail.com>
MIME-Version: 1.0
X-OriginalArrivalTime: 10 Apr 2009 18:49:52.0051 (UTC) FILETIME=[21C29030:01C9BA0D]

Hello Mate,
This is to get you aware that the payment has been made for the purchased item and i am sure PayPal has sent you the confirmation email for the payment and i will like you to follow all protocols as regards the payment and get back to their member care by sending the necessary details of the shipment to them so that they can verify it and credit your account afterward... Furthermore,I will like the item shipped via USPS Global Express Mail (EMS SPEED POST) for a fast and cheap shipment, and the label number must start with
EB, EQ, EH,EB,EM

Here is the Mailing Address Below?

Victor.O.Johnson
# 10 M.K.O Abiola Way Ring RD
Ibadan,Oyo State
23402,Nigeria

Kindly get back to me ASAP
Its nice doing business with you
Regards
--

CRAP! Nigeria (BIG BIG HINT IT'S FRAUD!!!) Then why the hell does it matter what the label number start with??? More to the point, Paypal NEVER require members to email them to "verify" payment and shipment details.

---

Check the email headers, none of them come from Paypal. n00bs!!!

So I just called Netflix to cancel my subscription. It's sad seeing I've been using them for almost 9 years now. I just could not accept that they want to charge and extra $4 a month so I can get Bluray discs. Netflix says it's more expensive for them to buy Bluray so they're raising the price on it. It's total bullshit to me seeing that I can walk into a store and purchase Bluray at the same price as a DVD. When DVDs came out, rental prices for them were no different than VHS, so why the price difference with Bluray? Considering they buy in bulk, I'm pretty sure they can get the pricing down to about the same as DVDs.

Even if it does cost a little more, so what? Blurays are tougher and more resilient to accidental scratches or damages, so the amount they save from replacing bad DVDs would be a lot lower compared to Bluray. I just can't justify this kind of business practise. It's about as bad as Craptastic a.k.a Comcast.

So it's been 6 months since my last post. Wow, did time fly by! It's been crazy busy the last few months, so I've been running around quite a bit. Over the winter I took a couple of ski trips with my friends. It was fun, hitting Snoqualmie, Steven's Pass and Whistler. Didn't get to go to Crystal this season, hopefully next one I could.

I'm sitting in 90 degree weather half way around the world and yet I still get to experience the funny that is the US elections! Check this out!

Was reading a forum and someone posted this - We're Screwed! That is so true

Really? If you really have nothing to hide and everything was done according to law with proper documentation, then why be afraid of the probe?
Palin sues to stop probe.

Sarah Palin is obviously delirious if she thinks she has the experience to deal with foreign countries. I sure hope to god McCain and her does not win this election. Here's a little cliff notes from her interview on 9/11 - ABC interview with Sarah Palin

Now with the financial disaster unraveling on Wall Street - Lehman Brothers a 158 year old institution filed for bankruptcy, this financial institution predates the Civil War! Then Merrill Lynch got bought by Bank of America. BoA seems to be buying up all these failing companies, I hope they have enough capital and smarts to keep afloat through this crunch. I think in 2-3 days we will hear AIG filing for bankruptcy. Seriously doubt they can find enough backers for capital to stay afloat.

Went out to the Olympic Peninsula over Labor Day weekend and had quite a bit of fun hiking.

Pics - Weekend gallery

Stayed at Kalaloch Lodge on the Western side of the peninsula and got to watch a gorgeous sunset. Then hiked up Hurricane Hill for a nice 360 look around We went to the hot springs at Sol Duc springs but it was so busy we decided not to take a dip.

I recently realized that my Creative SoundBlaster X-Fi doesn't seem to have any 3D sound support. So I started searching the web and found that if you have 4GB or more RAM, you won't get 3D sounds in XP64 (apparently it affect Vista also but since I don't use it I don't know). Later I found that Creative was actually actively blocking access to features of some cards in Vista and actually lying about the support. They say it's not possible but then some dude who called himself Daniel_K (no relation to me, the guy's in Brazil) actually enabled a bunch of the features. And what does this company do? They threaten him with legal actions - http://www.xbitlabs.com/news/multimedia/display/20080331221922_Creative_Technology_Threatens_SoundBlaster_Driver_Developer.html

That just means Creative has just lost another customer. You should read their forums, it's a flame fest there The Creative moderators are even deleting and editing threads. How fun