Another Word for Nerd

Today’s color choice, “Pinkle”:

I love my new socks.

From here.

I’ve updated the Trackman Marble FX post to reflect that the three I have are now up for sale.

A few weeks ago, I built an XBMC-based media player to use with the 32″ TV in the living room:

I decided to make another system using an original XBox for the bedroom, since I don’t need to play HD content on the 19″ TV in there. I bought a refurbished XBox from Gamestop for $54 shipped, and picked up the rest of the pieces I needed (XBox-to-USB cables, an 8M memory card) off eBay and from a local shop. I used a 10″ LCD TV while setting it up, so I didn’t have to run back and forth to the bedroom.

Here’s the XBox after doing a “softmod” to install Linux and the UnleashX dashboard:

Here it is with XBMC installed, running the default “PM3″ theme:

And here’s the final setup. Hooked up to the 19″ TV, running the same Confluence theme as the system in the living room, with the XBox DVD Playback kit plugged in so I can use a remote instead of a wired controller.

Am really happy with both systems; the living room unit cost me around $200 total while the bedroom XBox setup cost me $90.

This is the first picture I ever saw of Amy, before I was able to meet her in person.

I now seem to own a silver bucket.

Suggestions (please leave them on Facebook, not here) on what to do with it are welcome.

A new friend taught me how to crochet last night.

I’ve joked with friends that I’m the “Free Hardware Fairy” a lot lately, as I get rid of stuff and fix their computers up.

Well, it came time to setup http://www.freehardwarefairy.com/.

Some changes lately.

Kathy and I are no longer in a committed relationship, but are still very good friends. I feel fortunate to have her in my life in any capacity.

Tomorrow will be the six-month anniversary of Amy’s death. June 16th and December 16th It’s gonna be rough.

After repeated problems, I called AT&T and cancelled my U-Verse TV service yesterday, saving $70/month. I’m keeping the phone and Internet service; in fact I upgraded to the next speed level for the ‘net connection. From now on I’ll just watch streaming TV online or download shows and movies with BitTorrent. I’ve already got Popcorn Hour media players on both televisions, and will be eventually building XBMC media centers to replace those.

Yes, it is currently SNOWING in Houston.

This video taken out my office window at Beltway 8 and Westheimer.