captbrando's log

Sorry bout that folks… Anyway.. So far I am very pleased with the DirecTV Package I got. My new Tivo has most of the features my ReplayTV did and it does not take 8 seconds for it to change channels. w00t!

The local installation folks, S&S Communications, are the bippety bomb. They were really the only pleasurable experience out of the whole acquisition and installation. First problem, Rapid Satellite. Lots-o-chaos over there. They did finally get everything sent my way, so at least its not an entire loss! If you want to use them, don’t expect their folks to know ANYTHING technical (talk to an installer BEFORE you buy) and don’t expect your equipment to show up in a week. Especially if you are in Pegasus land. They are the second big problem. They apparently resell DirecTV and compete with them, but they are more of a hassle to deal with. Screw them.

Anyway, I’m off to beer it with Dad.

Welp, today marks our third anniversary! Its really hard to believe that three years has gone by. In some respects, its flown by so fast that at times we have not had much time to enjoy life. In other respects, its been an amazing journey that I wouldn’t trade for anything. Pretty soon its going to be kid time.

I’ve decided to do the Satellite TV stuff over digital cable. Mainly because of their new policy which requires you to get (and pay for) digital cable boxes to recieve your premium channels. So my two TVs that do not have them now do not get any premiums that I am paying for. I understand why they are doing it, but I certainly don’t agree with the methods… especially for long standing customers.

So anyway, I’ve been having some issues getting just the equipment in. I will tell you, initially my opinion is that the Cable industry is doing it right with respect to setup/equipment handling. It’s much harder to do it in the Satellite industry simply because there are too many companies involved. 1 company takes your order, another (sometimes more than one) ships product on behalf of that company, another does your installation. It’s definitely good for local business people, but sheesh.

Do yourself a favor. If you are going to buy satellite stuff, just suck it up and go to your local Best Buy or similar provider, pay the extra $50 to get the equipment you want (as opposed to doing the online or third party thing) and then get your installation done. You will have piece of mind in the fact that all of your equipment will be at your house at the same time and hopefully you can inspect the packaging before you leave the store to ensure that things at least have a chance to be intact.

ANYWAY. </vent>

Have a good day folks!

What a weekend! This new pay schedule that I am on really sucks. I like 24 pay periods a year. 26 sucks. Badly. Oh well.

This weekend we busted some serious ass around here. Chris had to work on Saturday, but while she was there I changed the impeller on the parent’s boat and took a few shots with the new camera. Still playing around really, but I’m working it into the workflow.

When I got back, Chris and I got busy at the house. We cleaned out 4 closets and the garage this weekend. I also mowed the yard and took care of getting outside ready for the season. We also got 3 bags of clothing together for the next society that calls. I think its the Kidney foundation that’s coming by.

On Wednesday, Chris and I will be married for 3 whole years! Woh! My parents will have 26 under their belt on Saturday. We’re going to hit Maggiano’s for some good food.

I hope this greets everyone well!

Hi Wendi!

Gotta love all of those acronyms. Welp, I took another plunge this week (jeez, why does it always happen like this? Digital Camera, Satellite TV, multi-function printer and now VoIP) and got my VoIP stuff up and running. VoIP means Voice over IP, or in even more laymans terms, my telephone service works through the internet. I’m only evaluating it right now, and I’m trying to get my company to pay for a business line in the house. But if things work well, I’m just going to move my existing numbers over. The service SO FAR has been great and the price is not to be beaten. I’ll save another $20ish on my phone bill.

Anyway, its getting late and I have a laptop-free day of work ahead of me. Dunno what that entails, but whatever.

Welp, all the old gear is up on eBay! Time to go! Here are my current auctions.

It’s not very often that shootings occur in close geographic proximity to your home. Well, in McKinney this is certainly the case anyway. Friday night, four McKinney residents were killed about 3 miles from my house, two of them high school students on the McKinney North varsity football team.

Since I have started doing more senior photography, I have had the privilege of meeting some of our local youth. Stories like this really hit close to home when you work with those students. It seems like every high school class is wrought with some sort of student related tragedy. My thoughts go out to the families and students that are affected by this tragedy and I hope that the killers are brought to swift and severe justice.

So late last night (ok, so it was early this morning), Chris and I had finished watching Lost in Translation and Runaway Jury and we were headed upstairs for bed. I turned on the television in our bedroom and flipped over to HBO to see what late night flick might entertain us before sleepy time. Instead of seeing some great entertainment, I see a red screen that says “COMCAST, Reserved for future use.”

WHAT!??

So I flip over to our other premium channels which I pay for every month. Starz and Encore… same thing.

So I call the 24hour customer service number on the bill (yep, I got someone). They tell me that now all the premium channels which I pay for are ONLY available on my digital receiver! And if I want those in any other room, I have to BUY a digital receiver for each room!??!?

Now, Comcast has been hiking rates and being a general problem over the past 2 years, but I have stayed with them–EVEN when it is now cheaper to get DirecTV in each of my rooms (with their own receiver). Well I think on Monday if they don’t want to be reasonable at all, its going to be time to cut the shackles of cable, and get the freedom of the Dish.

FINALLY got everything up and running at the new location. Sucks to be out of town when servers get moved.