Thanks to a kind soul, I’ve been fiddling around with this since earlier this week:
A Dell Mini 9, refurb from the Dell Outlet. 1024×600 screen, 16G solid-state disk, and an Atom N270 CPU. I’ve upgraded it to 2G of RAM, and just today installed the “US-International” keyboard to have a more “standard” layout.
I used this method to install Mac OS X on the system. It runs great – for the sort of things that I use it for, the performance is just as good (not as fast, but “just as good”) as my circa-2006 Core Duo 13″ MacBook.
Apple does not condone “hackintoshing”, but I would buy an Apple portable in this form factor if they would release one. I’ve owned thirteen different Apple systems in the past ten years.
The Mini 9 was discontinued a few weeks ago, but Dell replaced it with the Mini 10v. Three guys from my Masonic lodge have now ordered Mini 10v systems after seeing my Mini 9 earlier this week.
Posted in: Photography, computers, general, hobbies, mac, projects, unix / linux.
Is there a 12-step program for people who like color variety?
My fountain pen ink collection:
Noodler’s:
Vintage Parker Quink Blue-Black:
Posted in: general, hobbies, ink, pens.
My certified copies of Amy’s death certificate arrived today.
I miss things like human touch, hugs, or someone asking me how my day went when I get home from work.
Posted in: houston, opinion.
Jun 28th, 2009
by mrbill.
Today I was the designated picture-taker for the Installation of Officers at Gray Lodge #329 for the 2009-2010 year. One of the Brothers brought his Nikon D60, and I used it instead of my Canon S3 IS. This was my first time using a SLR camera, and I’m smitten.
The pictures are here. I took right around 300 pictures, and ended up keeping most of them.
Now I really really want a Nikon D40, but can’t afford one for 2-3 years.
Posted in: Photography, freemasonry, general, hobbies, houston.
Jun 27th, 2009
by mrbill.
I’m going to try to get the Moleskines shipped out this week, and get the promised “long term” review of the Clairefontaine “Basics” notebook up in some fashion or form.
I hope it’s understandable that I’ve had some extenuating circumstances over the past couple of weeks that took priority over everything else.
Posted in: general, hobbies, houston, ink, moleskine, notebooks, paper, pens.
Jun 27th, 2009
by mrbill.
Sitting here last night on the computer, and my 1KW APC UPS starts beeping. I look over and it’s claiming “OVERLOAD”, although it has less of a load on it than it has supported for the past year.
I ended up having to completely unhook it and use a power outlet strip in its place temporarily. Why does the expensive stuff have to die at times like this when I can’t afford to replace it?
Posted in: computers, general, houston, opinion.
Jun 25th, 2009
by mrbill.
My mother goes home tomorrow morning, so Friday night will be the first evening I’ve spent in this house alone since Amy’s passing.
Please feel free to harass me via Twitter, IM, Facebook, Myspace, and email. I’ll need it.
Posted in: general, houston, opinion.
Jun 25th, 2009
by mrbill.
Currently accepting donations of books about “what to do when your spouse dies”. I’ll give them critical, sarcastic reviews.
http://wishlist.mrbill.net
Posted in: books, houston, opinion.
Jun 25th, 2009
by mrbill.
We laid Amy to rest after a beautiful (and short, as she would have liked – “People don’t show up to hear a sermon!”) ceremony at the cemetery in Chattanooga, TN this morning.
Things are tough, but I’m getting by. The quietness around the house and the lonliness is the hardest part.
Pen/ink/paper-type reviews and thoughts will resume next week sometime.
Posted in: general, opinion.
Jun 19th, 2009
by mrbill.
I found it on the website of her hometown newspaper.
http://www.chattanoogan.com/articles/article_153299.asp
It’s got one typo – she graduated high school in ‘92 or ‘93, not ‘87.
Posted in: general.
