This is the website of Abulsme Noibatno Itramne (also known as Sam Minter).
Posts here are rare these days. For current stuff, follow me on Mastodon
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On Feburary 27th my 500Mhz Powerbook G4 Titanium had it’s 3rd birthday. Which triggered my “time for a new laptop”. I’m on an every 3 year replacement schedule. But, a few factors were in place. First, I was still unemployed. Not the best time for a big cash outlay. But second, one look at the MacRumor’s Buyer’s Guide made it clear that the Powerbooks were getting close to the average time between updates. It was long enough since the last update (in September) that it would pay to wait for the next update. I’ll only buy when that guide says “Buy Now” or “Neutral”. If it says “Buy Only if you need it – nearing end of cycle” or “Don’t Buy – Updates Coming!” then I’ll wait. So, even if I had been employed, I would have waited. And so, when I did get a job, it was still a waiting mode.
Finally today, the updates came:
Powerbook G4
Starting at just $1,599, the newest PowerBook family offers more. More power. More speed. And more advanced capabilities. Whether you prefer the ultra-compact 12-inch model, the coveted 15-inch powerhouse or the breathtaking 17-inch stunner, every new PowerBook G4 features faster PowerPC G4 processors — with speeds topping the charts at 1.5GHz. Like to burn up the road? The new PowerBook models offer 4x-speed SuperDrives. And each new PowerBook comes standard with both AirPort Extreme — offering the fastest speeds in wireless networking — and Bluetooth.
This is not yet a Powerbook G5. Looks like that will bve at least one more update in the future. Maybe early 2005 or late 2004. Drat. My current machine is falling apart though. I do need replacement, and a rule is a rule. It is the next update after the 3 year mark. I should buy a new one now.
Of course, there is another issue. I am in the process of trying to move. I’ll need to be putting a downpayment on a house and all that. Plus I am still recovering from the short incomeless time between when my severance ran out and when I started my new job, and the lack of a January bonus this year. So, before I can order the new Powerbook, I have to move and buy my new house. That comes as a higher priority. And my car is dying too. I probably have to get a new car first too. That is also a priority.
And the model I would want would be the 17″ with almost all the options. Which would put it at $5483. Ouch! (ALL the options from the Apple Store Online would put it at $8198, but I don’t need the external Cinema Display and such… but I did include a case and a new iPod and extra batteries and the like in my price. :-) So, unless my machine dies completely (in which case I’ll order the new Powerbook that day) I’ll be waiting a bit longer before getting my new computer. And who knows, by then it may be time to wait for the next upgrade again. Ugh!
But I wants it! :-( Oh well. First things first. House, car, then computer. Oh, and my GPS may be dying too, in which case I’ll need to replace that as well. Everything is dying at once! Sigh! Until all the other stuff is taken care of, I’ll keep this old Powerbook running with glue and tape and the occational replacement part.
Meanwhile, Apple also updated the iBooks.
iBook G4
Like to carry around a notebook that delivers exceptional power at an affordable price? Then pick up an iBook G4. With a faster PowerPC G4 processor running at speeds up to 1.2GHz — optional DVD-burning SuperDrive, expanded memory capacity, advanced wireless networking capabilities, and the impressive stability provided by Mac OS X version 10.3 “Panther,†iBook G4 brings truly impressive performance to everyday life. And with pricing as low as $1099.
My mom is in the market for a laptop by June. I was hoping this update would be in time for that, and it is. I’m thinking an iBook would be good for her rather than a Powerbook, but both are possible. In a few weeks I’ll take her to a physical Apple Store to play with them and pick what she likes, then figure out the best we can do in whatever her budget is. (Oops, have to ask that I guess.) I’ll be rooting for the 14″ iBook with a bunch of the options. We shall see.
Anyway, I want that 17″ for me. But I have to wait. I hate waiting! :-)
Took the presidential selector quiz for the first time in a few months. It has been updated with new questions since I last took it, and of course a bunch of Democrats have dropped out of the race. As usual, I unclicked the checkmark that excludes 3rd parties, but left the checkmarks excluding people who have dropped out or not announced they are running. Here are my new results.
Presidential Selector
1. Your ideal theoretical candidate. (100%)
2. Libertarian Candidate (62%)
3. Sharpton, Reverend Al – Democrat (47%)
4. Kerry, Senator John, MA – Democrat (46%)
5. Kucinich, Rep. Dennis, OH – Democrat (45%)
6. Bush, President George W. – Republican (43%)
7. Socialist Candidate (39%)
8. LaRouche, Lyndon H. Jr. – Democrat (32%)
9. Constitution Party Candidate (27%)
The top candidate again is the unnamed Libertarian candidate. (SelectSmart has not put in the two Lib candidates, and I guess is instead waiting to put in the name of whoever gets the Lib nomination at their convention.) And that is the ONLY candidate with a greater than 50% match rate with my own views. Everybody else running I disagree with more than I agree with them. Bleh. It really would be nice one day if one of the two major parties actually put out a candidate I felt I could vote for.
Went back to Florida last night. This time I took Song Airlines (run by Delta) from Newark to Orlando. Just wanted to say that of the various flights I’ve taken up and back over the last month or two… on American Airlines, AirTran, Continental and USAir… this was the most pleasant and enjoyable. OK, yeah, I had to pay if I wanted anything other than a glass of soda as a snack, but that was no big deal. They have a sense of humor, from the pleather seats in primary colors, to the head steward making bad jokes, to the safety briefing being done with a Flemenco music background by a lady with a think Spanish accent. I liked that. That was fun. And they had 20 some channels of live satellite TV available at each seat for free. (I know a few airlines have this now, but this was my first flight with that feature.) And they had the channel with the live GPS track of the plane’s flight too. I *really* like that. I’d been on flights with that before, but not in awhile, and I really geek out on that feature.
Anyway, I like “Song”. I will fly them again if I get the chance. And if they show up as the cheapest direct flight on Orbitz again. :-)
OK, so Jackals probably don’t roar. But Cackling Jackal, Rebecca’s blog, has just overtaken abulsme.com in the Truth Laid Bear Ecosystem. So it is roaring. Rebecca is now a Slimy Mollusc, compared to my status as a Lowly Insect, and Al’s as a Crunchy Crustacean.
The ecosystem is based on how many other blogs link to you. Looks like Rebecca has been getting some other poetry blogs to link to her. She is on her way!
Hey, anybody want to link to me? Sniff. Sniff.
Guess for that I have to post more often, and sometimes on topics that people are actually interested in, huh? Hmm. Perhaps I’ll work on that. Maybe. If things ever get less busy. :-)
In the mean time, I will not contest Rebecca’s crown.
And the graphs are here.
Enjoy.
I sent this to the folks who email me a lot a few weeks ago, and mentioned it to many others who have emailed me or talked to me in person in the last few weeks, but in case anybody is out there who knows me personally who didn’t get the message directly or indirectly, I’m posting here too. You are all invited too! (If you are just a web reader, and have never met me in person, introduce yourself in email!)
As most of you know, last August I bought a house in Yardley, PA! Woo! Lots of people asked me if I was going to have a house warming party, but I was still settling in, and didn’t know exactly what to do anyway, so I kept putting the idea off. But as most of you also know, I just started a job in Melbourne, FL and put my house on the market to be sold in preparation to move to Florida along with my girlfriend Brandy and her daughter Amy. Hmmm… better get that house warming party done before I sell the house and move almost 900 miles away, huh?
So anyway, with lots of help from Brandy and Amy, we’re finally going to have that party! You are all invited of course… and feel free to forward this on to anybody else who knows me who you think might be interested, or to bring a guest.
It will be the last Saturday in April. April 24th that is. Starting at around 6 PM and going into the evening as late as people want. (We picked this date based on people’s responses about possible party dates when I asked about it in the email announcing my new job.) I hope you all can come!!
If you think you want to come, please let me know, so we can plan for about the right size group. Also let me know about any guests or kids or whatnot you will bring so we can plan accordingly.
The party will of course be at my place. If you don’t know the address it is easy to find, or just email me and ask me. MapQuest directions to the house are pretty good, but if you need specific directions from somewhere, let me know and I’ll send you some.
Anybody who wants to crash on the floor or such is of course welcome to do so, but as fair warning, especially to those from out of the area, we do NOT have any extra beds available for lots of people to stay over. So if you are going to come from out of town, and want something more than a spot on the floor, here are the ten closest hotels and motels to my house according to Yahoo:
Red Roof Inn (2.1 miles away)
3100 Cabot Blvd W
Langhorne, PA
215-750-6200
McIntosh Inn of Oxford Valley (2.1 miles away)
3101 Cabot Blvd W
Langhorne, PA
215-757-4500
Marriot Courtyard (2.2 miles away)
5 Cabot Blvd E
Langhorne, PA
215-945-7980
Sheraton (2.5 miles away)
400 Oxford Valley Rd
Langhorne, PA
215-547-4100
New Falls Motel (2.7 miles away)
201 Lincoln Hwy
Fairless Hills, PA
215-269-1300
Ace Motel (2.7 miles away)
216 Lincoln Hwy
Fairless Hills, PA
215-945-9919
Brick Hotel (3.2 miles away)
1 E Washington Ave
Newtown, PA
215-860-8313
Inn to the Woods (3.6 miles away)
150 Glenwood Dr
Washington Crossing, PA
215-493-1974
Country House Motel (3.9 miles away)
951 Old Lincoln Hwy
Morrisville, PA
215-295-7331
Holiday Inn (5.3 miles away)
7 S Pennsylvania Ave
Morrisville, PA
215-428-2600
I look forward to having you all over together! Should be an interesting bunch of people to say the least. :-)
The fitness contest is over. Has been for a couple weeks. But I’ve been busy. Sorry for the delay on the results.
Anyway, the final results… based on how well each person did at reaching their own personally set goals over the four months of December, January, February and March.
Here are the standings:
Weight Contest:
#1: Marilyn (60.0 points)
#2: Mike (57.9 points)
#3: Reb (20.0 points)
#4: Sam (4.3 points)
DISQUALIFIED: Randall (36.6 points)
DISQUALIFIED: Kelly (19.5 points)
DISQUALIFIED: Brandy (4.6 points)
Body Fat Contest:
#1: Reb (20.0 points)
#2: Sam (14.5 points)
DISQUALIFIED: Brandy (-1.7 points)
DISQUALIFIED: Randall (-13.5 points)
Brandy, Kelly and Randall were disqualified from winning because they did not provide any readings subsequent to March 21st 00:00:00 UTC. Since they did start the contest however, they are still required to pay the winners as per the initial contest rules. Based on their last provided readings however, these disqualifications would not have affected the final outcome.
On the weight contest Marilyn took the lead in early January from Mike, and never again gave up the lead, although Randall came close in the middle of the contest before falling back, and Mike put up a final charge and came close at the very end. But Marilyn stayed ahead regardless. Marilyn won the contest with a score of 60 (meaning she made it 60% of the way to her goal).  So according to the rules, each of the losers (Mike, Reb, Sam, Randall, Kelly and Brandy) should each send Marilyn $15. So Marilyn wins a total of $90
On the body fat contest, Sam took the early lead, but Reb pulled ahead in mid January and retained it until the last couple of weeks of the contest, where the lead passed back and forth between Sam and Rebecca several times.  (Well, judging from interpolated curves between actual data points.) Sam took a plunge in the wrong direction two days before the end of the contest however, and Rebecca ended up taking the win. Rebecca won with a score of 20 (meaning she made it 20% of the way to her goal). So according to the rules, each of the losers (Sam, Brandy and Randall) should each send Rebecca $5. So Rebecca wins a total of $15.
The winners are responsible for collecting their winnings.
Graphs and charts are available at http://www.abulsme.com/fitness/.
And that is that.
Thanks for playing everyone!
It has been a long time since I have done a blog entry. Or answered email for that matter. It seems like it is time for an update.
Last week I was back in Florida, this time taking Brandy and Amy with me. A couple things were going on, first, while at work, things started speeding up. Week by week, I am spending more and more of the day actually doing the types of things I was hired for. I can’t say I’m completely 100% booked and productive yet, but it is getting closer. This is all good. I feel like this is working out, and I am developing into my role. A few more weeks and I should really be fully integrated. (Although the times back in PA slow that down, I am doing lots of conference calls from here too.)
OK, with that out of the way, the reason Brandy and Amy were down was because we wanted to go house hunting. So Tuesday through Saturday, every day we spent several hours looking at houses. There were a couple I liked, but were too small. There were a couple Brandy liked, but needed too much work for my taste. All in all, we kept finding places that had some portion of what we were looking for, but not everything. And unlike the feeling I got when I found my townhouse in Yardley, there were no places at all that jumped out at me and said “This is it. No question.” Not even after I raised the price boundaries I was looking at by another 10%. It helped a bit, but still not quite. The last day, at almost the new price limit, we found one that all of us agreed we “could live with”. But there was no real excitement about it. So we didn’t try to put an offer or anything, and by now it is probably sold. Things seem to sell there pretty quickly.
So before we left, we also looked at some of the new construction in the area. There are a bunch of new developments going up, and a bunch of builders with their model houses and such. We stopped at a few. One thing quickly discovered is that the new construction is actually comperable in price to the existing homes. I would have thought it would have been more to order something and have it build, but it is not. For the same price, we could get something brand new built, choose our lot and our model, and our options and have EXACTLY what we want. With some of the builders you can actually modify the floorplans too rather than just choose an existing model. It sounds really great. Except of course that after you order, it is 9 months to a year before you can actually move into your house. Which really sucks. Cause I think I would be sold on just picking a floorplan, picking the options, and having it built… if it did not take quite so long. But maybe.
So anyway, we left it with the real estate agent down there still looking out for places that match our criteria while we do more research on the build option. Not to mention waiting for my place in PA to actually sell.
Speaking of which, as I was returning to PA at the beginning of this week, I got an offer on the house. Unfortunately, they were lowballing me. They offered 7% less than I was asking. Now, I know my initial price is shooting high, and I am willing to go down a bit. But at the level of this offer, I would have to actually PAY at settlement when all was over. And not a negligible sum. No matter what, I’m know I am going to come out in the hole on selling the house. Even my most optimistic sales prices would completely cover my August closing costs completely. I’m just selling it too soon for that. And that’s OK. What I am getting as part of my relocation package will cover that loss. But I need to AT LEAST break even on the actual transaction when I sell.
My bottom line, if at closing on the sale of the house I will need to write a check, I will not do it. If I get a check, even a small one, then I can probably do that, although obviously the bigger the check the better. So anyway, I rejected the offer, but did provide a counter offer in between my asking price and his offer that would still let me break even (plus a little bit). He turned that down, so the house is still showing. Several people looked yesterday, several more today. It will sell before too long I hope. Unless the housing bubble bursts, in which case I may end up just having to take that loss. I hope not!
This week I’ve been back in PA. Every day from 8 AM when there is a daily conference call (ouch!) to around 6 PM I’ve been doing work stuff, conference calls and such. After that I’ve been doing stuff with Brandy and Amy (which is good and fun), and then going to bed early so I can actually wake up in time for the 8 AM and be lucid for it. I have done none of the non work stuff I should have been doing. Haven’t done email. Haven’t done bills. Haven’t posted the results of the fitness contest. Haven’t worked on repacking the basement. Haven’t done anything. I’m doing this blog entry at the same time I’m doing a conference call prioritizing bug fixes on a new feature that is being added to my company’s product.
Sometime soon I’ll have to carve out some time to do that kind of thing again. I need at least a couple hours a day to keep up with that sort of thing. But right now, I don’t know where that time can come from. Sigh!
Anyway, that is what is up with me. Next week I’m in Florida again. I think I’ll probably start looking for a month-to-month lease apartment down there. It may be a little while until I am in a new house down there, and rent will be cheaper than the hotels I’ve been staying in.
Maybe sometime I’ll squeeze in answering some email too. Sorry in advance to all those with outstanding emails in my inbox I haven’t gotten to yet!
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