The Joy of HD

For veterans' day, Charles's classes were canceled and I had the day off, so we were able to spend the day window shopping in Ventura. We stopped by Best Buy to check out their flat panel TV's and fell in love with with a 42 inch high definition TV. So we decided to get it.

We knew the TV itself would fit in our car, but we didn't know that the box the TV came in would be so much bigger then the TV. So the TV box would not fit in the car. The guy loading the TV didn't seem to be in a spacial-puzzle solving mood, so we brought the TV back into the store to use their delivery.

So apparently, we needed to return the TV first, but it would take a few days before that would be credited back to our bank account, so we'd have a hold on a large lump of money in our account. So, the sales clerk came up with the idea of returning the TV for a store gift card, which could then be used to purchase a new TV to be delivered. So we do that, while being reassured that it will deliver in a few days and should only be an extra $25. The good news is that they do delivery all the way to were we live in Goleta, but the delivery that far away wouldn't be until 10 days later. Oh, and it would cost $150 since it's such a far trek. I said no way. I want my TV now!

So, we unreturned the TV, and said just hold it for about 20 minutes. We went over to Walmart and bought some bungee cords, then we went back to Best Buy and grabbed our TV. We wedged the box into the trunk as far as it would go, then secured the trunk down with the bungee cords. The TV made it home just fine.

Setting up high-definition cable was a completely different story. We stopped by our cable store, said "Hey, we got a new TV!" and the sales rep gave us a new cable box to handle high def and told up that the upgrade in service is free. Very cool.

The discovery channel has a really cool high-def version, and all of the network channels are broadcast in high-def. Not to mention the model we bought is smart enough to nicely zoom and stretch anything else to fill the screen. I'm happy.

Oh did I mention, we all got a bonus at the bank since we passed our audit. Woohoo!

Flushed Away

I've been spending a lot of time working-- but still have found time to collect together my application for UCSB next year. I'm really looking forward to possibly going back to school. I miss everything about it-- especially the mental challenge, the community, and the schedule.

The schedule especially since we needed someone at home when the plumber came. We've had trouble with the toilet, so I shot an email to our land lord making the situation sound as serious as possible sewage is seeping out of the toilet and soaking into the walls, and the place smells... I think I made it sound bad enough because she immediately called up the plumber and we scheduled him to come by first thing the next morning.

Of course once he comes everything seems to be working perfectly. Apparently these apartment have very narrow sewage pipes, making clogs possible anywhere along the pipe, not just at the toilet. So, whenever we flush, the pressure build up is so great that sewage will burst through otherwise sealed joints.

So, what I read from this whole experience was, this will happen again, and all you can do is wait for the clog to pass. Oh, and move into student housing the first chance you get. I miss dorms. How awful is that?

Charles has been busy with midterms. Lots of tests, but I'm sure he's ace-ing them all. He's doing really well. I'm proud.

I've gotten access to more systems at the bank. Now I can look up all kinds of info on customers. It's cool. I like having a little more responsibility, and the ability to help out customers a little more.

Halloween

Well, we all survived Halloween. The festivities, although well attended, were fairly tame since there was such a presence of the local police. Everyone at the bank wore costumes for Halloween. We had a costume contest and let the customers vote on their favorite costume. And we had a raffle for the customers including gift certificates to Subway, Panda Express, and other restaurants and even a month of gym membership. I ended up putting a lot of work in my costume, so I hoped to win the contest. All the tellers reminded each customer to vote and enter the raffle, so by the end of the day our little box was stuffed with votes. I was kind of shocked how many people voted. Of course, it was the end of the month, so lots of people came in to cash their paychecks and get certified checks for rent.

Justin, the assistant manager held a Halloween barbecue at his place on Halloween, so Charles and I went to that. It was fun-- lots of good food. And they announced the winner for the costume contest-- I won! I mentioned that I made the shirt and vest for my costume and that I don't have a sewing machine so I had to do all the sewing by hand. So, my coworkers were talking about pulling together to get me a sewing machine and commission me to make costumes for them next year. I think their just jealous I won, but it's a nice thought. I might yet get myself a nice one.

So I won 'reward points' for winning the contest. I can use them to buy things on a certain website. I'm not sure yet what I'll get. Something cool.

Charles has been busy with school. Grading midterms and working on homework have been keeping him busy. But he did finally get paid. So, hopefully I'll be with him doing the school thing next year. We'll see how everything goes.