Monthly Archives: April 2009

My DSL connection has returned

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An AT&T data comm technician arrived today a little after 2pm. I was told the line wouldn’t support the “Elite” speed of 6 Mbps, which was one of the reasons why my connection “broke.”

After a phone call and restoring my account to the “Pro” speed of 3 Mbps, all was well. Sort of.

My modem wouldn’t connect, but his spare modem would. I can’t complain. It gave me about 11 years.

I had to order a standard DSL modem from AT&T, which should arrive by Thursday. Lame.

Fortunately, Chris Lin had a backup one[1. Specifically a 2Wire HomePortal 1000HG, which has a built in wireless router]. I drove to his place to pick it up, chatted for a bit, and accepted a few brownies[2. "I have half a pan of brownies left over and I'm starting on a cheesecake recipe. What to do..." via Twitter] before going home. Thanks man!

I won’t use his DSL modem permanently. I have a Linksys WRT54GL router[2. Flashed with DD-WRT] I’d prefer to use. Plus, Chris told me that the built-in wireless router in the 2Wire DSL modem/router isn’t good.

Although it was pretty stupid having to wait a week, it’s good to be connected at home again.

[amtap amazon:asin=B000BTL0OA]

Goodie #1: Dell 22-inch LCD Widescreen Monitor

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After waiting most of Saturday[1. Around 3:00pm.], FedEx arrived with my first of three goodies: a Dell 22″ S2209W LCD Widescreen Monitor.[2. Not enough money for a 24" monitor, nor enough desk space.]

I unpacked the box, made sure it came with everything, then assembled it to replace my old Neovo F-417 17″ monitor with it.

Whoa. *in my Neo voice*

I went into Lightroom to play a slideshow of processed photos. Compared to my previous monitor, it looks incredible. Processing photos is going to be much more pleasant.

I also watched an episode of “House, M.D.” Yay, widescreen! I’m definitely not going to mind watching videos on my computer.

Now what to do with my old monitor? Bring it to work because I still have a gigantic CRT monitor, or sell it for $40?

Off topic: An AT&T technician is supposed to come on Monday to check the wiring outside my apartment. Yes, I’m still without DSL at home. I typed this from my laptop at Panera.

[amtap amazon:asin=B001LQXLGC]

Blah brings forth goodies

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It’s been rough not having internet at home these past few days.

It’s affected my mom because she uses Skype[2. Unlimited calls to landlines in the U.S. and Canada.] and Netflix Roku Player.

I haven’t felt like processing photos because I won’t be able to share them yet. Also, the heatwave that we[1. Los Angeles-ians. -ites.] just went through didn’t entice me to take any photos lately.

The Trigonometry test I just had didn’t help.

With my 6-year-old Celeron-based notebook, I tried WiFi in Starbucks. The airconditioning helped.

Monday isn’t too much further.

All of this is a good reminder that you should have a list of things to do when you’re without an internet connection at home.

Good news: My tax refund got deposited on Tuesday, so I think I’ll have a boost of excitement and inspiration. I used it to purchase a few  new items, which should be delivered in the next few days.

I'm without internet at home

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Consider me off the grid until further notice. AT&T[1. Which hasn't been down since August 2006] is tripping out. To make matters worse, a scheduled technician can’t come out until next Monday, April 27th.

I did try to escalate it for Wednesday, so we’ll see what happens.

Boo.

Update 4/21/2009 10:15pm — AT&T left me a message on my answering machine. My attempt to escalate a technician visit was declined due to a full workload. Fail.

In addition to the few days I work, I’ll be mooching WiFi at AT&T hotspots (e.g. Starbucks), friends’ places or the library until then.

Dave, the chicken man

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While waiting for the Metro Gold Line at Union Station, Dave saw my camera in hand and approached me, asking if I wanted to take his photo.

Since I can describe the conversation like a moth in flight, bullet points might make more sense.

  • He explained that he wasn’t mentally right. He was talkative and easy going.
  • “I know the new Incredible Hulk movie. He has a special power,” which he then demonstrated as if he were generating a fireball or something.
  • He talked about his brother who fought in Vietnam, but wasn’t receiving benefits. Somehow, that was a segue into him not getting SSI.
  • “You know the Spiderman song?” *singing the Spiderman theme song* “I’m chicken man. Chicken man, chicken man…”
  • “A girl I know on the subway. She sees me, says, ‘Hey chicken man!’ I give her a hug and kiss.”
  • Lastly, he holds up a circular opaque object. Apparently, it’s a valuable ashtray. I tell him he should try to sell it, but he’d never part with such a priceless object.

Dave's ashtray

When the train finally arrived, I wished him well…and sat half a car away[1. I just wanted to veg. Nothing against Dave!]. I’m pretty sure he struck up a random conversation with someone else.

If you ever meet Dave around LA, talk to him for a bit. (Or, listen to him talk.) It won’t hurt!

View on Flickr / Buy this print

El Ten Eleven at The Roxy

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I saw El Ten Eleven at Home Restaurant in Silverlake last Friday, but it was so packed I couldn’t take decent photos. Afterward, I emailed the band to ask for a photo pass on Sunday night.

Surprisingly, Kristian Dunn replied the following morning and I had my name on the list.

I got there during Xanimo‘s set, so I took several photos of them[1. Not uploaded yet, but check back later today.]. They’re pretty funky, but I like ‘em.

There was a bigger crowd for El Ten Eleven. I took about 250 photos[2. Most were similar frames from continuous burst mode.], but I think these 17 are my best photos of them.

I chatted with Kristian at their merchandise booth for a few minutes. He’s super mellow and considerate. Thirsty, he left to get a drink, but not before offering me a bottle of water. “We have a bunch of them.” Rad.

If El Ten Eleven is playing anywhere near you, see them live. They’re incredible — and touring for a month.

Thanks to Kristian Dunn for a quick reply and talking to me after the show, Tim Fogarty for being a wicked drummer, and David Vine for recommending El Ten Eleven.

Official website of El Ten Eleven

http://www.zenfolio.com/zf/code/slideshow.swf

Photos of El Ten Eleven on Bryan Villarin Photography / Photos on Flickr

Update: Xanimo photos are on Flickr.

net_work rocks

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If you’re looking for hilarious entertainment, watch a few episodes of net_work by Black20 and you’ll be hooked. The vortex of dry humor and confusion drew me in right from the start.

From the net_work page at Black20:

Forget what you know about sitcoms. Forget what you know about the way stories are supposed to go. net_work is office comedy for a new generation.

It’s two Internet video producers and the strange world that surrounds them. It’s business unusual.

The only two things you can expect of net_work are: Mike will be Mike, and Michael will be Michael.

One of my early favorites is “Separates,” which was back in Season 1. (They’re currently in Season 4.)

http://blacktwnty.vo.llnwd.net.s3.amazonaws.com/o16/files/druport/assets/players/flow-213/FlowPlayerDark.swf?config=embedded:true,baseURL:'http://blacktwnty.vo.llnwd.net.s3.amazonaws.com/o16/files/druport/assets/players/flow-213',playList:type:'jpg',url:'http://blacktwnty.vo.llnwd.net.s3.amazonaws.com/o16/files/druport/buckets/634/IMAGE.jpeg',name:'image',type:'flv',url:'http://blacktwnty.vo.llnwd.net.s3.amazonaws.com/o16/files/druport/buckets/634/VIDEO.flv',initialScale:'fit',bufferLength:3,controlBarBackgroundColor:'#FFFFFF',showMenu:true,controlsOverVideo:'no',useHwScaling:true,useNativeFullScreen:true,autoBuffering:false,autoPlay:true,autoRewind:true,loop:false

You’re welcome. :)