It’s . . . → Read More: I don’t hate the French]]> I just hate their keyboards…
I recently bought a new laptop. It’s just a web surfin’ and email kinda machine, but I needed something other than my work laptop. It’s been forever since I’ve actually bought a new computer, and I didn’t really want to spend a lot of time researching, so I just picked one.

It’s an HP G60… looks nice, I’m happy with it so far. Coolest feature is a button to turn off the touchpad. My work Dell doesn’t have it, and nothing pisses me off more than accidentally hitting the touchpad while typeing… the click moves cursor the cursor and I start typing in a different spot.

The worst thing about it is the keyboard. It’s a multi-lingual one version and the changes are subtle, but very frustrating. I’ve been using a ‘US’ keyboard most of my life, and my fingers have gotten used to where the Enter key and left shift keys are supposed to be.

Here’s what I got…

Here’s what I want… ney… what I need…

It’s just that I’m so used to the US layout, and my pinkies don’t easily stretch over that extra key. Very frustrating when on a typing roll.

So, I’ve ordered a new keyboard out of China… $30US including shipping. HP part support sucks, but perhaps I’ve been spoiled with the Corportat Dell support I’ve gotten for my work laptop. I went to the HP site, and after clicking through pages of model selection, I found that a replacement keyboard is not orderable thru their web site, and must be purchased thru a 3rd party reseller… So no clue as to the quality of the keyboard either… it may be junk…

Not sure how long the keyboard will take to arrive, or even if it will work with this laptop… It’s for the US version of the same laptop, and I can’t see them changing too much between regions, but you never know.

I’ll let you know how it all works out.

UPDATE: I’ve just received my new US keyboard… It’s a cheap knockoff, but laptop keyboards have never felt that solid/robust to me in the first place. Anyhoo… I ordered it from a company that is based in California, and has 3 or 4 different web sites for the same shop. The only reason I know this is because I’ve been in email contact with them regarding package tracking… or lack there off.

Every reply I’ve received from them has been from a different email domain… so I was a getting a little worried about the legitimacy of the company. Also, the emails were sent at 3-4 AM my time, which means they are responding out of China or somewhere ‘over there’.

The keyboard was sent from the states according to the US postage stamps and stickers, so they do have a presence in north america at least.

Tax, shipping, exchange all in was $30… and in less than 5 minutes, I have installed my new keyboard. The keys are where they are supposed to be, and all is right with the world again

ahhhh… feels sooo good to hit the enter key
it’s in the right spot again.

simple things…

As I’m strolling in my back yard having a smoke, I hear a rustle at my feet and I glance down to see a snake (hopefully of the relatively harmless ‘garden’ variety lol) having a toad/frog for lunch.

I’m pretty sure I stepped on . . . → Read More: The reclusive Toad-snake spotted!]]> The struggle of life and death is on display in my back yard…

As I’m strolling in my back yard having a smoke, I hear a rustle at my feet and I glance down to see a snake (hopefully of the relatively harmless ‘garden’ variety lol) having a toad/frog for lunch.

I’m pretty sure I stepped on the snake… it slithered quite quickly under the deck as I screamed like a little girl and soiled myself (just a little bit). While the snake looks like it bit off more than it can chew (ugh… sorry), the toad appears wholly unimpressed by the situation.

It’s all over now; The snake won. I’m amazed that the little snake, it’s head no bigger around than my pinkie finger, was able to swallow that (relatively) big of a toad.

They look pretty cool, and performed excellently on the 10 minute drive home from the . . . → Read More: New Tires]]> Well, I finally pulled the pin and bought some new skins for the truck.
Following the advice of my good buddy Danno I picked up some BF Goodrich All Terrain T/As

They look pretty cool, and performed excellently on the 10 minute drive home from the tire shop.

Yes, we were right next to . . . → Read More: Pretty good seats…]]> So wifey was rewarded for all her hard work again… she works for the best company evah! They gave her two tickets to an NHL game. The game was Leafs Vs Senators…
Now I’m not the biggest hockey fan, but this was just amazing!
As always, click the pics for a larger size.

Yes, we were right next to the bench… That’s wifey’s beer, not Toskala’s

And for some added excitement, wifey was winged by a puck! It went off the backup goalie, off her arm, and landed in my lap.

We PVR’d the game… wanted to see if we made it on TV… and we did… a lot… but stupid low def broadcast, couldn’t see us too well. (ok, it was broadcast in HD, but I don’t subscribe to TSNHD) Wifey is right next to the backup goalie, kinda behind the post, and I’m next to her… in my very fashionable Coors Light cammo hat.

And in one final stoke of luck, I was just taping a bit of the action, and got a goal! The only goal for the Leafs… but pretty sweet timing none the less. … not that you can see much of the play…

I’ll be in THE FIRST ROW… right next to the . . . → Read More: Hockey Night in Canada]]> So, I’m going to see the Leafs and Senators tomorrow night.
Keep an eye out for me if you’re watching the game on TSN…

I’ll be in THE FIRST ROW… right next to the Leafs’ bench.

I only have a Silver membership right now, but was thinking of going gold if I knew enough people that were . . . → Read More: XBox Friends]]> If you know me, and have a 360, send me an email mike{at}kuz{dot}ca with your gamertag and I’ll fire back a friend request.

I only have a Silver membership right now, but was thinking of going gold if I knew enough people that were playing online.

We have three offices at the end of the hall. One for the VP, one for sales, and a bigger office for the benched developers.  We are located in a shared space with other tenants.

I notice a dark haired lady looking at the VP’s door, . . . → Read More: Crazy in Toronto]]> I’m in the office today… by myself… and it’s nice and quiet.

We have three offices at the end of the hall. One for the VP, one for sales, and a bigger office for the benched developers.  We are located in a shared space with other tenants.

I notice a dark haired lady looking at the VP’s door, peering thru the glass wall,  jiggles the handle… she notices me watching her trying to get into the VP’s office.

Crazy Lady: Is he (pointing to VP’s door) in today?
ME: I haven’t seen him today.
CL: Do you know when he is coming in?
ME: No, not sure..
CL: Does he have a counterpart here?
ME: er…no… He’s the VP of this office
CL: Is there a partner or co-owner?
ME: [at this point, I realize this lady hasn't introduced herself, and doesn't know the VP's name or anything about our company...] [raises eyebrow] And you are?
CL: [very defensively, almost ranting] I… I… I’m known to him you know…  I’m on this floor… I’ve seen him before… etc…
ME: [chuckling] ok, ok, relax…
CL: No YOU relax, I’m not some crazy person [a sure sign she's nuts]…
ME: [still chuckling] ok…
CL: What’s YOUR name?!?
ME: Mike [smiles]
CL: I’ll be SURE to let him know I spoke with you [storms out of the office]
ME: Well that was weird.

She never did tell me her name, or why she was looking for the VP.
I love Toronto and all it’s colourful people.

Game was pretty good. A lot faster paced than I expected. Being the asshole magnet that I am, there were 4 loud, drunk guys behind us swearing at the players a lot, I kept expecting to be doused . . . → Read More: Pistons Vs. Raptors]]> It was my first basket ball game. It was also my first $10 beer. (and my second $10 beer)

Game was pretty good. A lot faster paced than I expected. Being the asshole magnet that I am, there were 4 loud, drunk guys behind us swearing at the players a lot, I kept expecting to be doused in beer at any point. Kinda took a bit of the fun out of it, but I survived. We left with 5 minutes remaining in the 4th when the score was tied to beat the rush. The crowd was really into it at that point, and everyone was on their feet.

I’m not a big B-ball fan (or a sport fan at all), but I really did enjoy the game. I’m not sure if the lingo is right; but there was some really great ‘plays’ from both teams. A few slam dunks and some big air.

And the cheer leaders were really hot too.

This was taken just before the game started… during the game, there wasn’t an empty seat in the house