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iDisappointment
I have owned both a 1st and 2nd generation iPod Nano, and used them both heavily for at least 18-24 months until they eventually wore out. This has made me a pretty loyal fan of iPods over the years, especially since other mp3 players I have owned have broken in a matter of weeks or even days.
I am disappointed that my 3rd generation Nano, which I bought less than 7-8 months ago, is now pretty much broken. It is not worn down from wear and tear. Instead, the touchpad has prematurely stopped functioning properly about half the time, which pretty much renders the entire thing useless. Yes, I have tried restoring it several times and that doesn’t do anything. Being someone who constantly uses my iPod, the past week has been a bit of a drag. Although I do have an old SanDisk Sansa that I can use, its bigger than the Nano, can’t hold enough tunes, and I haven’t found a client that works well with it to manage my music and podcasts (compared to iTunes, Rhapsody completely sucks – which was the recommended application for the particular Sansa model I have).
The other day I called a somewhat well-known local store in town which has advertised that they repair iPods. I asked them if they could take a look at my Nano. The person who answered the phone said they repair iPods, and then began talking to the iPod repair guy in the background. I overheard the repair guy say: “3rd gens? I’ve ruined those trying to open them.” No way I’m bringing my iPod to that place! And even though I have successfully taken older Nanos apart on my own, I’m not about to try it with my current one. These 3rd gens are way too streamlined to try and attempt to open them on your own without the right expertise and tools.
So my question to any takers out there is this: Has anyone taken their iPod in to a local store for repair? What have been your experiences? Has anyone sent theirs in to Apple to have them fixed? Any luck?
Assault and Battery
Just checked out my portfolio and saw that:
My retirement:
401 plan return rate is Year To Date: -36.9%.
The main fund in my IRA is -32.02% since purchase.
A few of my non-retirement investments:
Fidelity China Region is -36.75% since purchase.
Visa is -23.54% since purchase.
It still hasn’t hit me yet. Maybe sometime on Sunday I will have a nervous breakdown. Beerorkid Dude you can have my kitchen knives.
Death Magnetic
I am getting sick and tired of hearing people nitpicking and whining that this album sucks. What do these haters expect? For Cliff Burton to come back from the dead and play on a Master of Puppets part two album? To say this is the best thing Metallica have done in a long time is the understatement of the year. The past two decades have been a nightmare for fans (or what fans are left). I’d say that this is a great return to form. All Nightmare Long is the best song on the album so far for me. Pick this one up.
Belated Summer Vacation
I’m on a late summer vacation and had a few photos to share.
Above: Washington State Ferries at dawn.
From the “Oh Hell No” files
Its taken me a few days to mentally process this. 2008 must be the year of self-delusional people overstaying their welcome. Way to go Brett! Bill Callahan + Brett Favre = a Boston Celtics style comeback? I doubt it.
The King of Fideo
A friend of mine makes a really great dish called fideo con pollo, starting with some home grown chilies from the garden. Being a fan of easy one dish meals, I couldn’t turn down an invitation for Sunday brunch – particularly as I was in the neighborhood and happened to have my camera with me.
This is really pretty straight forward comfort food, with the base being some angel hair pasta browned in a bit of oil. Throw in some fresh garlic, fresh peppers, black pepper, tomatoes, and cumin for taste. We steamed some already browned chicken with the vermicelli, and used the chicken drippings and broth to flavor the pasta.
We lightly toasted some flour tortillas over a gas fire range to go with some homemade salsa. Not being one to usually eat tortillas except at restaurants, this was a new experience for me.
The homemade salsa consisted of the pounded fresh chilis from the garden, dried serrano peppers, garlic, big chunks of white onion, tomatoes, black pepper, and water. This salsa was extraordinary, and went fantastic with our meal.
The finished product - with some refried beans, the homemade salsa, and toasted tortillas - is indeed a simple delight not found in any of the local Mexican eateries. What a great way to start a Sunday.
The Dark Knight
Frank Miller is a genius. Here it comes.
(Edit: The video was removed sometime in the last 24 hours and I can’t find it anymore. Anyway, it was pretty awesome.)
Have a Happy Fourth All!
Help Out Iowa
As some of you may know, I am a University of Iowa Alum, and am proud to have spent a good four years in Hawkeye country. UI, Iowa City/Coralville, and basically most of the state have been rocked these past few weeks. Yesterday the UI Foundation established a recovery fund. I know that a lot of Lincolnites have ties to Iowa. Over to you.
From President Sally Mason:
To University of Iowa Alumni, Friends, Contributors, and Hawkeye Fans across the world:
Your University is facing what may be the greatest challenge in its 160-year history. Many people have contacted us asking us how they can help, and in response we’re offering a way to do so from wherever you may be.
Unprecedented flooding throughout Eastern Iowa has already impacted our entire arts campus and much more—including beloved landmarks such as the Iowa Memorial Union, the UI Museum of Art, our music and theatre buildings, and Hancher Auditorium. Although it appears the flooding on campus has crested, the high water will still inflict significant damage to the more than 16 UI buildings that took on water. The Iowa River is slowly receding, but it will take months and years for the campus to fully recover.
You can help by making a gift online today to the UI Flood Relief Fund. Please go online to http://www.givetoiowa.org/floodfund to lend your support. Gifts of all sizes are needed and appreciated, and our first priority is to assist UI students and employees who have been displaced from their homes by the flooding. After addressing these most immediate human concerns, we will use contributions to the fund (as available) at my discretion to address other areas of flood-related need throughout the campus.
I encourage the UI community and Iowans generally to help –- whether through volunteering or other sharing of resources –- as they can with the relief efforts for those parts of the state most affected by the flooding. A good place to start in assisting our friends in Johnson and Linn Counties is by visiting www.corridorrecovery.org.
The University of Iowa community has always been far larger than our physical campus, and the Hawkeye spirit has overcome many challenges in the past. I am confident this University will emerge stronger than ever before. UI students, faculty, staff, and community members showed tremendous teamwork and resolve in last week’s massive sandbagging efforts. If you’d like to join them in helping us rise above this crisis, please visit http://www.givetoiowa.org/floodfund.
Our heartfelt thanks for all of your encouragement, and for your ongoing generosity.
ON IOWA!
Sally Mason
President
The University of Iowa
P.S. For the most up-to-date information on the UI and the Flood of 2008, and for a large gallery of photos, visit the University’s flood information web site at http://uiflood.blogspot.com/.
Total Blowout
No words need be spoken. Sorry la-la land. This was a complete and total slaughter. There is no question that Paul Pierce must be series MVP. What a great way for KG, Paul Pierce, and Ray Allen to win their first championship.
Beat L.A.
What a great sports TV weekend. The EURO2008 tournament kicked off, Nadal dominated Federer in the French Open, and to top it off, the Celtics beat LA in game 2. The Lakers looked completely bewildered near the end of the third quarter, although they came back strong late in the game.
The Celtics are proving that its not just KG, Paul Pierce, and Ray Allen that can make the big plays. Rajan Rondo played very strong, and Leon Powe came off the bench to be a complete warlord. Powe needs to play at least 20 minutes a game. I believe the Celtics will beat L.A. this year.
Allen Iverson Is An Extraordinary Athlete
Even though the Nuggets are out of the playoffs, Allen Iverson is my favorite NBA player. Pound for pound, he has to be one of the best professional basketball players out there, at least in terms of his offensive power. But speaking of his size, did you all know that Iverson is only 6 feet tall and 165 pounds?! I knew he was smaller than the average NBA player, but that is insanely small!
Have a nice Memorial Day Weekend all.
Goodbye #4
As a lifelong and eternally-suffering supporter of the Minnesota Vikings, there have been many a Sunday in which I have cursed Brett Favre and his first born. But even for me, it got a little dusty watching today’s press conference. To quote Terrell “Emo” Owens, number 4 was indeed a warrior of the highest caliber. Good luck Brett.
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