Now if I can only be at the house when DHL delivers

I got an email from Dell yesterday telling me that my new computer had shipped. I assumed that it would be coming from Austin, but instead it's coming from Nashville. It left Nashville at 10 am yesterday, and arrived in Waco last night a 8 pm. As we speak it is on a truck speeding towards Fredericksburg. I might just have enough time to configure it before my business trip to Vail. IF someone is at the house when DHL shows up.

Quick visit to Midland

I just got back from visiting cousin Gary, and we discussed the reunion, among other things. We decided to finalize the menu in February or March, and Rodney's gumbo night looks threatened. Too many okra-phobes, myself included.

Sean got a job

Sean called and said he finally got a job. He started Monday at Boeing in San Antonio, at Kelly. He says he'll be working on Air Force planes for $25 an hour. Good pay if you can get. They bought a house in Helotes and will be moving in a couple of weeks. He did add that the house is not near the creek that flooded when Tropical Storm Erin came to town.

Email from Dell

I got an email from Dell this morning. Don't get your hopes up, it was Spam.

ONE-DAY SALE

SAVE UP TO $350 ON SELECT BACK-TO-SCHOOL PCs

School starts next week. They should have run this ad in June if they expected anyone to take a new laptop with them on the first day of school.

Where's my computer Part II

To update: Dell informed in the late afternoon of 8/17 that there was a delay shipping my computer. The shipment has been delayed to 8/28, with an estimated delivery between 9/3-6. Since I leave town on 9/6 for a week, allow me to guess when the damn thing will be delivered.

Yesterday, someone named Debbie posted a comment to my previous post on this issue claiming to be from Dell, and saying they would look into it. So early yesterday morning I sent Debbie an email telling her the order number.

So far, nothing.

I am not going to jump on the "I hate Dell" or "Dell is Evil" bandwagons. Any business is going to have people with problems with their policies and service. Our office has used Dell products for years without problems. I recognize that someone has to make the computer, and that takes time. I also recognize that manufacturers are often at the mercy of their suppliers, and there could be any number of reasons for the delay.

Doesn't make the anticipation stop, though.

Update: at 12:30 pm today, I got this reply from Debbie at Dell, "Sorry for the disappointment. Let me know if there is anything I can do."

Um, let me know if I will get it before I leave on my business trip?

Reunion Quilt

On Saturday, we went to Kerrville to Hometown Crafts. I got a big canvas, 'cause I have an idea, and I want to see if it will fit on a big canvas. Mom got some fabric—Red bandanna, white, and blue bandanna like—for a reunion quilt. She's planning to a panel for everyone, including Grandad Roger, and Grandma Claudia. She's planning to give the quilt away in a drawing. Everyone who attends, including the kids. This of course favors Sam's family, since they are ever expanding. (I kid because I love.)

I was getting tired of mountains, so I decided to paint a seascape. I made the clouds on the right too dark, and the foam on the wave is also too dark. Other than that, I like it.

Where's my Laptop?

Ordered a month ago, Dell tells me they will ship my laptop today. I assume it's coming from Austin, so I may get it Monday or Tuesday, although they estimate delivery anytime between 8/22-24.

I have been on pins and needles the last week and a half wanting to get my grubby little mitts on the darn thing.

Fishin' Hole

Jeff's Texas Seasoning Mix

Have you ever seen Emeril's seasoning mix in the store? Or Chef Paul Prudhomme's seasoning mix? Have you ever noticed they are smiling? That's because they are making a mint on that stuff! I actually have to wonder why anyone buys Emeril's Essence. The recipe is here! Why go to the store and buy it in a bottle when you can buy the ingredients and make it yourself? Chef Paul's? Well, not as easy to Google™, but if you look hard enough, you can find his poultry seasoning, which, by the way, is killer.

Since I consider myself something of a chef, or, at least, a hack cook, I have come up with a somewhat spicy seasoning mix. Please note that I am releasing this recipe under a creative commons license. You may not use this recipe for commercial purposes, but you may modify it as long as you allow others to do the same. Yeah. Stupid and geeky, I know.

Jeff's Texas Seasoning


3 tbs sweet paprika

2 tbs hot paprika

2 1/2 tbs salt

2 tbs garlic powder

2 tbs onion powder

4 tsp ground pepper

4 tsp cilantro

2 tsp cumin

1 tsp cayenne pepper

1 tsp chipotle powder

1 tsp ground coriander

1 tsp dried oregano

1/4 tsp jalapeno powder


Mix all ingredients. Store in an airtight container. Use as seasoning or as a rub.

This work is licensed under a
Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-Share Alike 3.0 United States License.

Reunion News

Okely Dokely, folks. I know we're still 50 weeks away from the reunion. I'm trying to do as much now as possible, so I can be lazy then. Call me selfish.

I have added a couple of links to the right: A link to the Centennial Lodge, and a link to a map to What-a-Burger in Brownwood for any former Texas residents having withdrawal symptoms.

More to come!

Appalacian Stream

Back to Colorado

I leave SA at 8:30 am (yes, I got to pick the departure time) on 9/6 and fly to Denver. I'll arrive about 11 am local time. Then I'll get a rental car and drive to Vail. (Stopping at Idaho Springs, Keystone, Dillon and Frisco to visit some brewpubs before stopping in Vail.) The boss is flying in on Sunday, and I get to pick them up at the Denver airport (woohoo) and take them back to Vail. Then Sunday Monday and Tuesday I'll be on foot. Hope I can find a bar in Vail. Then back to Denver on 9/12 for the flight home.

Last time I was in the air around this time, the Twin Towers fell. Keep your fingers crossed.

Cael's Snack

Great-Grandpa Jerry gave Cael a cookie. As soon as great-grandma tried to take the photo, the hand whipped up to obscure his face.

Aidan and Cousin Gary

We've decided that Cael will be the silent but deadly type. Aidan, on the other hand, is pretty chatty. Gary came to visit and Aidan just talked and talked and talked. I guess it's true: Gary knows everyone.

I bought a new computer

Dear Bill Gates,

Like a lemming rushing to the sea, I have purchased a Dell laptop with Ubuntu Linux preinstalled. I'll be able to surf the web, write letters, watch movies on DVD, and burn cds.

I'm not leaving the Windows fold entirely, Bill, but you'll be seeing me a lot less.

Shh! Don't cry, Bill. It's your own fault. I had to register my copy of Windows XP to prove I bought it, and still, every time I get an update, I have to prove I didn't steal it all over again. And I've been faithful to you, Bill, that's the sad part. I've always used genuine Windows software, and sstill you treat me like a whore.

See you around, Bill.