ROAD TRIP! Installment 6

June 27, 2010 - It has been a very busy few days since my last post.

Finished the Ikea runs, assembled the lateral file and TV stand.

Lights are all replaced with FEIT CFLs from Costco; for less energy consumption in general and less heat generated. Costco had all we needed, from the small diameter flood lights for track lights to the flame-type bulbs for the ceiling fans to the bathroom vanity globes. All told we went from a total possible 1220 watts needed for the conventional lighting that was here to about 196 watts at full on. Sis will definitely see this savings on her electric bill.

Cable TV and Internet installed. However, we are changing providers from a small, local cable company to AT&T U-verse. We were told that U-verse service bundles in this apartment complex had to include TV, Internet and phone, which sis did not want or need. She has Vonage, switching to better value, excellent quality and service from PhonePower. Hence, no phone from an Internet or TV service provider is needed. Despite what we were told, I looked online and then called AT&T to learn that she could bundle Internet and TV only, with better value, in my view, more channels, and faster Internet for only a little more than the little cable company's service. Ordered U-verse, to be installed 6-29, at which time the other service will be canceled. Fortunately, there is no contract with the first, which will refund that portion of unused paid-up-front first month. All's good! I will still be in town to get that set up and running. It's an all-new hardware venture. For the first provider, we were able to use her original cable modem and D-Link DIR-655 router. U-verse will come with their own custom combo modem and wireless router by 2WIRE, and excellent company. But it their box is not wireless N, I may opt to bypass the router portion of the device and to use the gigabit Ethernet-capable D-Link in its stead. We'll see how that plays out.

On the personal tech front, I've continued to use the EVO 4G with excellent results, though power management remains an issue, at least for this user. Unless 4G is disabled while on battery, as well as hot spot capability, the battery drains within a few hours and that thing gets quite warm. The rule must be that users enable only what is needed, when it is needed, while on internal battery power. I guess this is to be expected. Using other services, such as Sprint TV, are further drains on the battery. Users would be wise to take everywhere the USB cable and plug-in charger, perhaps keeping an inverter as referred to in Installment 5 in one's vehicle to accommodate all eventualities. I am NOT sure the same would be true for the new iPhone. I'm just speculating here. However, iPhone does not have 4G nor hot spot capability. So much for this little comparison.

I've also had lots more experience using the Kodak PlaySport, even underwater. I have yet to post all my still image comparisons among all the devices, nor the videos, but I am working on it. I can tell you all that the Kodak PlaySport has exceeded my expectations, and is likely the best value of its type on the market today. I spied them at Costco in Houston for about $130 a few days ago and see them now online, delivered from as low as $133. Add the pair of extra batteries previously recommended and at least a 16GB memory card, and the price is still under $200.

Just wait until you see the quality of the videos, with and without the Electronic Image Stabilizer engaged, in normal lighting, in low light and the pièce de résistance , the product's underwater capabilities. How could anyone want better in its size?

Connected the new Brother HL-2170W wireless black & white laser printer (it was only $80 delivered via the Brother online store - previously alerted you all to this at the time a couple of weeks ago via Twitter and my Facebook fan page). Connected her Brother wireless MFC-665CW color all-in-one. Now, she and visitors can print wirelessly to the printer of choice. Preferable, of course, will be the workhorse HL-2170W, as it costs less than a penny per copy and toner cartridges are so inexpensive. The 665CW, her only previous printer and expensive to use whether in color OR black, will see most use as a scanner and fax machine and occasionally used for printing ONLY when color is a necessity. It is also easy to scan from it to her Mac (or to a Windows PC) and then print multiple copies on the 2170W, a sort of roundabout, yet still easily accomplished way of doing copier functions.

We also picked up a few of the excellent 3M Command products. These are the best leave-no-trace hangers for lightweight photos, towels, kitchen gadgets, dustpans and the like ever devised. Moms and dads take note if you have a college dorm- or apartment-bound student. Get these products for your students to hang their necessities and not have to put nails or screws into walls. In the bathrooms, they will prove indispensable.

More tweaks and fix-its accomplished. I noticed that the central AC did not seem to be doing its job well, which is not something one would want in hot, sticky Houston. I was not prepared with my Raytek MiniTemp infrared digital thermometer on the trip. Instead, we visited an auto parts store and bought an under-$6 automotive AC thermometer, which I stuck in the main register and measured an output temp of just 60°. This was not acceptable, resulting in a service call. The unit was serviced and outlet temps measured at a more appropriate 48°. Now, with little effort the apartment can be maintained at a more tolerable (at least for me) 75° or less. Mission accomplished and now the apartment is, at least for me, tolerable, with the AC cycling on and off, saving money for Pam. Had it been left alone without servicing, the unit would have run constantly at great expense and with little cooling effect. This, combined with the energy savings from the CFLs detailed above will be very helpful, no doubt.

Our visits with my nephew and niece-in law, and that precious little great niece have been absolutely wonderful. I will miss her. The sad thing is that, at 13 months, she will likely forget all about me (or anyone else in a similar situation) in the months ahead. I hope to be able to visit again in the not too distant future. I'll have two more visits with her before leaving, however.

Also accomplished with more to go have been visits with our most favorite and dearest, special friends here in town.

Winding down my time here in Houston, there are just a few more projects to complete before heading back by air to home base in SoCal.

I will get my photos organized and linked for viewing on SmugMug just as soon as possible, providing context to all my comments on these topics. There will be more videos posted to my YouTube channel, as well.

Until next time . . .