So today I got a nice form letter in the mail from some law firm about a parking ticket from March 15, 2008. Several problems with this: 1) This is the first I’ve heard of it. 2) I’ve never parked at “1100 Allen”, and 3) The main problem is that the license plate on the ticket notice comes back to a car I haven’t owned in 7 years. Yep, you read that correctly — 7 years. And no, I didn’t remember that — we got a friend from back home to run the plate, since the ticket notice offered no other information other than the plate number.

So I called the law firm, and supposedly I have to provide proof that I no longer own that vehicle. Not sure how I’m supposed to do that — it was 7 years ago. Gonna check with the dealer back in LA that I traded the car with and see if they have anything, then I guess I’ll have to go down to the Parking Adjudication Office in downtown Houston and plead my case.

An awful lot of work for something that is ridiculous.

UPDATE: I took the info in and they got it all taken care of, I suppose. Ended up costing me $3 to park at the courthouse and half an hour to get it done. Not too bad, but still bizarre.

I’m not sure what to think of this. First reaction is akin to OMG! This is awesome! But on the other hand, I’m not sure what it will mean for the current line of HRxx DVRs that DirecTV now supports (and I use). There are some things I like better about the HR20 (like PIP-style navigation) and some things I like about the Tivo (like dual-live buffers). The article indicates that DirecTV will be committed to developing both DVRs, but how will that adversely affect support or development of new features/bugfixes in the current line? I’m not sure. Definitely an interesting announcement though. Bring on MRV (Multi-Room Viewing)!!!

From DBSTalk:

DIRECTV and TiVO have extended their long running agreement and announce an upcoming TiVO based HD DVR featuring the best of both DVR platforms.

I caught this pic on my way to visit family in Louisiana this weekend. it took me twice as long to get back to houston due to evacuation traffic.

Two years ago, I had trouble with my garage door and needed some work, so I called up Precision Door service of Houston and had them come take a look. The guy was very professional and got the door fixed up really quickly. It cost a bit but it came with a lifetime warranty and was working smoothly when he left, so I was happy enough.

That was then. This is now. Something happened last week with the door’s spring (or wind) and basically put a strain on the door opener, which caused the metal gear shaft to shear in half! Needless to say I needed someone to come out and service the door since it wouldn’t open/close smoothly on its own before I fixed the opener. So I called and got a lady answering the phones. She sounded a bit upset with me for bothering her it seemed, and she tried to argue with me that the plastic gears break all the time and there is nothing wrong with it. I’ve changed my plastic gear by myself before and I assured her this was the metal gear shaft. She then let me know that I probably needed someone to come take a look at the door. Really? That’s why I called.

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Today we had our first full day back. That is, those of us who showed up for the optional day. I don’t think many districts offer extra pay for coming back a day early. I am most likely going to be there any way setting up, may as well get paid extra to be there early. Just need to finish translating a few things and I should be done pretty soon.

Don’t get me wrong. I love the Olympics. I watch as much of it as I can, and I am very thankful that NBC throws a whole bunch of it on all of it’s networks. That being said, I think this year they are doing a horrible job. And here’s why …

It seems like every event we watch, we only get to see the top 2 or 3 competitors battle it out, and then they’re off for a commercial, blabbing about some Olympic hopeful’s story, or switching to something else. That is not what I am here for. I enjoy the whole competition. I want to see that one dude struggle on the rings. I want to cheer for nations I didn’t know existed before now. I want to see the Olympics. I don’t want to just watch USA vs. China and throw in a Canada or Australia every now and then. Show me the event!

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Time to really get back to work. Although workshops have not yet started, it’s time to begin room setup. I am hoping that it won’t take as long in my smaller classroom, especially since any time spent setting up before the 15th I will not be getting paid for. The upside to this Friday is that hopefully many calories will be burned dragging around heavy furniture solo for 3 hrs.

Last week i had lunch at the Petroleum Club in downtown Houston. Great views.

Holy Crap! So apparently there is a tropical storm, TS Edouard that quickly formed in the gulf and is supposed to make landfall in the area tomorrow morning! Guess that’s what happens when you skip a day or two of news during Hurrican Season! I suppose I’ll be securing things when I get home from work this afternoon.

Right out of my garage. Middle of the day. Lisa was home. It happened last Friday, and it could have been a lot worse I suppose. I’m just glad they didn’t try to enter the house with Lisa there alone. Anyway, I guess from now on the garage stays closed unless we’re driving in or out of it.