It looks like it could turn out to be "one of those days". First, it's very overcast with a forecast for rain today. This means the little ones will likely be inside a lot (not that they weren't most of the winter already...). Last night my TiVo never restarted correctly after doing it's 4.0 update. Just a blank screen with no response from the remote. Not good. I did a quick search on the TiVo support page with no answer. I went to the TiVo community website thinking that perhaps another user has seen this. Unfortunately it has a splash screen announcing that it's down for a week doing upgrades.
I rewired the TV to feed directly from the Adelphia cable line. I predict that today the kids will say a few things they rarely do: "what time is xxx on? what channel is yyy on? Man! Another commercial?! How come there isn't anything on now?" To make matters worse I tried to call TiVo's toll-free support line and they open at 8AM Pacific time. I guess I'll be calling them tonight after dinner....
Then Michelle tells me that I need to bring the walk behind mower to Nashua Power Equipment for routine service, especially since it's been running rough and now won't start. At first we try to put it in the trunk of the Accord but it's too tall. So Michelle tells me to take the van for the day. I feel bad enough for Michelle that she's probably going to be inside a lot today due to rain and now I've taken her vehicle. When I drop off the mower they tell me that it will be at least two weeks before it's seen because they are a bit backlogged on mower service due to the time of year. Thank goodness the walk behind mower is only used along the edges of our land that I can't cover with the tractor mower.
Now all I need is for the iMac to have a hardware failure...
Update: (8:45PM) - I just got off the phone after a long call with TiVo tech support. No go! The hardware is broken. Long story short, there will be a $149 exchange fee for a replacement TiVo. Even though it's been only one day, Michelle and the kids are really missing the convenience of TiVo. They are shipping the new unit in advance but it is only shipping UPS ground so it'll be a few more days. I'll be looking for a VHS tape to at least tape Blues Clues and Dora the Explorer for the middle three kids. It may seem odd that an appliance few people own would have such impact. It's a bit like losing your dishwasher once you've grown used to it. Yes, you can always do your dishes by hand but you got spoiled by the dishwasher.
Sorry for your troubles, I'm sure things will be better today.
I have one comment, I would also like to know when 'xxx' is on and your kids probably shouldn't be watching it.
Tom
On the plus side, I did get most of the birthday/anniversary countdown calculation working last night after the family went down to bed. It made me feel that some piece of technology could work.
You're probably right. We shouldn't be playing triple X at the house. **grin** I guess I've been an engineer too long. When I wrote "xxx" I was thinking "fill in the blank", like a variable. That's what happens when you write a quick entry from your work cubicle after a frustrating morning. Thanks for pointing out the "alternative interpretation". (Ahem)
So Tom, have you had a chance to see "X-Men 2" yet? I realize last week was a bit busy for you. (Can I nominate that for understatement of the year?) A co-worker saw it last weekend and said he liked it. Perhaps as an avid comic book fan, you have a different opinion...
Posted by: Scott at May 7, 2003 06:03 AM