Blackout, Computers, and Collectables
by Barry Bauer
I’ve had a good football weekend . . . almost. I was thrilled with the Spartan’s win at Ann Arbor but that’s the only time I root against the Wolverines. Otherwise, I support them too. That may drive some people nuts because I do that, but when you’re talking about any sports team in Michigan, I root for all of them depending on who they play.
In other words, don’t come up against my personal teams!
The Detroit Lions avoided having their home game blacked out this past weekend against the St. Louis Rams. On last Thursday at 1:00 p.m., they qualified for a 24-hr extension and ended up selling all their tickets. I was looking forward to watching and taping the game on Sunday.
I started the tape at 12:15 and found out I was recording a still picture on channel 47. I ended up recording 4 hrs of absolutely nothing. The game never did come on. Either channel 47 or my cable company decided to impose their own blackout. Probably holding out for more money. Isn’t that always the case?
I didn’t even get to watch five minutes of the game live and of course it turned out to be their first regular season win since last fall.
As always, I have insurance against a blackout being imposed for whatever the reason is that keeps me from seeing the game live. Last year I subscribed to NFL Rewind which allows me to watch the whole game on my computer with very few commercials. The only time I can’t watch it is when another NFL game is in progress.
As they say, “There’s more than one way to skin a cat.”
* * *
I ran into a computer dilemma the other day. I got a message that said my inbox was full. I think I saw the word “money” pop up during the explanation which means the situation can be remedied the old fashion way. Anyway, it told me I exceeded my memory capacity and I should delete some messages, and that I wouldn’t receive anymore mail until I did. When I tried to delete some messages my computer wouldn’t let me do it. It said it was unable to perform that operation. Every time I deleted a message, the computer put it right back up.
Now that’s a dilemma!
That left me trying to find another way around the barn so I did some reading. One suggestion was to select the message, hold the shift key and hit the delete key. Guess what? It worked!
Don’t ask me to explain that or you’re off my Christmas card list.
* * *
As if I haven’t spent way too much time “in the ring” with electronic gadgets, I went out and bought a brand new laptop computer. You’re going to ask, “Are you a glutton for punishment, ol’ bauer?” And the answer would be . . . yup!
Laptops have come down in price because of the recent fad that’s hit the market, hand-held devices that can access the Internet. When I told a friend about my purchase, she suggested that I take my time and set it up the way I want it. The laptop I bought didn’t come with a lot of software like they used to come with, but that just means there’s less junk on it.
Another reason that prompts me to buy a second computer is when my desktop computer goes down, I’m lost. Just ask Betty.
My desktop also has problems. I have two DVD drives and one of them is in a funk. Whenever I put a disk in it, it goes into a loop that sounds like, click-clack, click-clack, click-clack. I think it’s gone blind and can’t read the disk.
I’m sure I need a new DVD drive which will mean a couple of days at the shop.
* * *
My daughter, Mindy, picked me up a Hallmark Keepsake Dream Book at Eastwood Towne Center that shows all the new Christmas ornaments they have this year. We started collecting them years ago but now I basically focus on the trains, old village buildings, and fire engines. I’ll also take a look at the “lights” or “action” ornaments while I’m in the store. We used to buy a Mr. & Mrs. Claus ornament every year but they discontinued them. My most prized piece is a miniature theater with marquee lights and advertising “It’s a Wonderful Life” playing inside.
I like to think it’s a model of the old Clinton Theater.
I always tease the kids about investing their inheritance on this collection. I hope it does better than investing in Real Estate.
Until the next time . . .