Programming a Comcast DVR

Here are some things you can do with your Comcast DVR box that few people know about.

First, all of these techniques are done with your DVR OFF and your TV ON. This is extremely important.

Take your remote and point it at the box. Locate, on the lower right, the small button that says "HD/Zoom". Hold this button down until a blue screen shows up on your TV. the screen will give you instruction concerning the buttons the in the upper central part of your remote. There are three buttons labeled A, B and C. The A button is in a yellow triangle, the B button is in a blue square and the C button is in a red circle. Follow the instructions on the screen to set up or reprogram your DVR. It also might be useful to have your TV manual with you when you do the set up so you can make the TV's specs. This same menu system can be found by holding down the "Guide" button down simultaneously with the "Info" button on the front of the DVR (again with the box off).

Another way to program your DVR (again with DVR off and TV on) is to hold down the "guide button". A screen will be displayed that has a black background and highlighted information. If you press the down directional button (down button is one of four surrounding the OK button) you can then go to the various changeable areas and make alterations. This is a much more technical set of instructions, but these can make a bigger difference. As an example, we lost power a couple of days ago. When we got it back, the TV image seemed fuzzy. i hit the zoom button to see the setting and noticed that the settings were at 480 i when our TV is 1080i. Following the above instructions, I was able to reset the DVR to recognize our TV!

Tour de France Ends

What an exciting race this year! During the last few stages of the race there were several switch ups. The first Australian ever to win, Cadel Evans, was the final winner with the yellow jersey. Mark Cavendish was the winner of the green jersey. We have had so much fun watching this race over the last several weeks!

Tour de France Weather

France had a severe drought so the rain is thrilling the French. However, the cyclists in Tour de France are tired of it. This year, there has been more rain than sun. Also many more accidents (several due to back wheels locking on turns - one rider ended up in bushes) than typical.

We watch it and then watch it again. Love the shots of France and adore the announcers!

New Game

Here is a link to a new game: http://lifesspacestation.com

Check it out!

What Romans and Beethoven Had In Common

In the previous post, the analysis of Beethoven's hair (553 strands!) was discussed. Well, he had much in common with the Romans. We now know that the Romans used lead to make eating utensils. Glazes on pottery also contained lead; their plumbing was almost entirely lead based. They also enjoyed a sweetener made from boiling grape juice in lead-lined vessels producing a sweet liquid called "sugar of lead". Could this have led to the demise of their culture?

Beethoven's Problems

Recent analysis of Beethoven's hair explained why his life was fraught with illness, including deafness - he suffered from lead poisoning. Researchers think he got the lead poisoning from his frequent visits to spas. In fact, Beethoven had 100 times the normal levels of lead in his system!

Tour de France

Watching the Tour de France is a wonderful travel log. The cameras are mounted on motorcycles so the close ups of the riders can be discerning. But the aerial shots are incredible. Yesterday included a shell of a gray stone cadtle. Absolutely beautiful!

Summer Sports

This family is not the typical sports watching American family. We watch Superbowl, typically while we do other things, pretty much every year but that is it for the usual spectator sports. Instead, every summer we watch Wimbledon and then Tour de France! And we adore watching Tour de France. We love the aerial shots of French countryside while the cyclists zoom by. Great stuff!

Wimbledon

As we all work here in our heme office, we are thoroughly enjoying Wimbledon in the background. Surprises today with both of the Williams sisters losing. Nadal and Federer are now playing. What a delightful sport!

Simple Yummy Chicken Spinach Salad

Chicken Spinach and Blueberry Salad with Cashews

• Boneless, skinless chicken breast - cut into chunks
• Young spinach leaves washed
  
• Blueberries washed
  
• Cashews, salted or unsalted
• Poppy seed dressing

Brown lightly in oil or boil the chicken. Mix chicken with spinach, blueberries, and cashews. Add poppy seed dressing to taste.

New Free Game Design Courses

MIT has some new free game design courses on their MIT Open Courseware site.

http://ocw.mit.edu/courses/comparative-media-studies/

Wow! Lost is Amazing.

"Lost" is a truly amazing TV show. We now understand why it won so many awards. TV at its best.

New Spielberg TV Show

Spielberg is starting a new TV show: Falling Skies. Looks good. Comcast has several trailers, etc. and we are going to watch them tonight.

Accepting Mental Illness

Carrie Fisher has done much to try to break down the barriers and negative attitudes surrounding mental illness. She openly discusses her bipolar condition and the cures she has found. Her desire is to help the public along with those who are mentally il, tol view this illness as an illness with the main point being:

• Mental illness is an illness. People are not to blame as they are born with the chemical imbalance that creates the illness. The mentally ill person needs to fully accept their condition; and as with other illnesses, it needs treatment for both the person's sake who has the disease, and also for those in the person's life. They deserve better.
  

People who state "it is just the way I am" are not fully accepting their condition. They are in denial. Chances are, if they are adults, they have been given feedback from those around them who love them, that their behavior is not acceptable. The feedback could be in the form of direct statements such as "stop trying to control everything" or indirect statements. The mentally ill need to trust the feedback and seek help. They need to accept their condition, and understand they were born with a chemical imbalance that creates the mental illness. It is nothing to be ashamed of. They deserve best from themselves. They deserve lower levels of anxiety, less of need to control what they can not control, fewer mood swings, etc. They need to give themselves the gift of professional help.

Fight on Carrie Fisher and thank you for the work you are doing!

Richmond Greek Festival

Throngs of people show up every year to the Richmond Greek Festival. The festival includes dancing, music, a tour of the amazing church, and a bizarre where all sorts of items are sold. We go for the food! Gyros, baklava, yahni, spanakopita, dolmades and tiropita are among our favorites!! All of the food is prepared by parishioners so it is hand made and totally yummy!! What a treat on a hot summer night.

Not Lost in Lost

Years ago, we watched the TV show "Lost" and couldn't follow it at all because it was the show's second season. So we decided to get it from the library starting with the first show. Wow. we now understand why it got so many Emmy awards. JJ Abrams definitely knows how to weave a great story! We will get "Alias" next!

American Idol Finale 2011

This is the first year we have watched American Idol. in previous years, we just could not get past the hyper-critical criticism of the judges. This year, the comments were made in a constructive and positive manner that made all the world of difference - we could literally see the contestants grow and develop as artists as the show progressed.

Last night's finale was stupendous. There were musical acts from Tony Bennett to Judas Priest. Beyonce performed along with Lady Gaga. Jennifer Lopez danced while her husband, Marc Anthony, sang in Spanish. Tom Jones performed; the list goes on and on. Truly wonderful fun!

Where Is Obama or Biden?

While America's Heartland suffers devastating loss and is experiencing such incredible suffering, where is our President? Or even the VP? Obama may be doing important things in Europe but our people need his assurance that FEMA will be there for them. he could at least have Biden show up. Another disappointment...

Summa Cum Laude Grad

Summa Cum Laude graduate here! 4.0 out of 4.0 GPA!

Tomb Raider Anniversary is Finished

We finished Tomb Raider's Anniversary game for the 360. Good game!

We are now moving on to another 360 game called "Singularity". So far we like it. However, as a older couple (almost 50 and almost 60) we feel like complete spazzes as it is first person! In fact, we just time traveled which was great fun!

Crossoku 1

A puzzle of our own invention: Crossoku 1

First fill in the blanks using the word clues. Then complete the puzzle as a Sudoku!

Click to enlarge the puzzle.

Remeber hintsare at Time and Space Puzzle Hints.

First Tick

Last night we had the first tick of the season so on with the Top Spot and bug spray. We usually only find about 4 to 6 ticks per year due to keeping the dogs groomed and clean.

Mental Illness

A recent episode of the TV show "Glee" contained a really good message in it about the need to treat mental illness. In a conversation between an OCD woman and her new therapist, the therapist suggest to the woman that she needs help. The woman says that she was born the way she was and that is is okay. The therapist states that the mental illness is keeping her from being the person she could be; as an example, she points out that diabetics are born that way but in would not occur to anyone not to give them insulin. The therapist also points out that in this country being mentally ill is something people are ashamed of; yet, they are born with the chemical imbalance that creates the mental illness. Being mentally ill is not bad, it is simply a fact.

Mental illness is a disease like any other disease. It needs to be treated as such. People who are mentally ill need to get therapy and medication. They owe this to themselves and the people in their lives. With help, they can then be the people they were actually born to be.

Bin Laden Confusion

We are confused as to why people want to see photos of Bin Laden's body. We are sure he is alive in Saudi Arabia being tortured for information....

Comcast's Irresponsible Practices

In a time when everyone has become aware of the need to save electricity, Comcast is making people leave their boxes on for hours. Currently, their cable boxes have an outlet on the back that allows customers to plug their TV in the back, meaning that when the box is one, the TV is on too. By eliminating the ability to turn the box off with a sleep timer, customers will have to use the sleep time on their TVs but this means the BOX WILL STAY ON FOR HOURS!!!! Please everyone, complain to your government representatives and have them make Comcast be responsible!!

Switching of the Poles

Earth's magnetic poles are definitely switching. Are all of the storms, earthquakes, etc. because they are switching? We think so. 2012.

Particle Smashing

When we smash particles together in an accelerator their local time is slowed down by an extreme amount right before the smash. When they hit they return to our local time. The particle has not aged much but in it's reference frame, we have aged. How are the resulting particles we see affected by this?

Radiation

There has been a lot of concern over the trace amounts of radiation showing up in rain water, milk and elsewhere in the US. If you are 45 or older you probably grew up with a lot more radiation in the air, you milk, and other food than you are seeing now. All of our nuclear testing in nevada for 20 or more years after WWII is probably many times greater than we, here in the US, are seeing from the situation in Japan.

New Calling Scam

AOL mentioned a new calling scam.

You receive a call saying that a friend has been hurt. For more information dial "*72" and then enter a number. *72 is call forwarding so the other person then receives your calls. This give s them the ability to cram you and make tons of money.

You Know You Have Done Too Much Tomb Raider When...

You know you have done too much Tomb Raider when...
* you drive by a building and think "nice hand holds"
* you dream at night about how to maneuver around rooms
* your thumb and index finger hurts from too much shooting
* you are at Target and try to find a Y-button in order to interact with objects
* you look in the nooks and crannies of your house for healthpacks

Cramming Link

here is a link to the FTC concerning cramming: FTC Cramming

Cramming Blocks

I have now called all of our phone line carriers, local, long distance and cellular,and had third party blocks placed on every line (3 cell phones, and 4 phone lines) so we will no longer get unauthorized charges on our bills. We highly recommend this to everyone.

The other day i called the FCC and it is true that a bill was passed allowing cramming to be easy. Apparently, if any third party company can match the name on the account with the number (as shown in any directory listing - it is that easy), they can then illegally call your carrier and say that you have authorized a third party charge and your carrier, by law, MUST charge you for the charge, without question. In other words, it is completely left up to the consumer to protect themselves. You must request the third party block.

Tomb Raider Anniversary

We are currently playing the 360 version of Tomb Raider Anniversary and loving it. It is one of the best games we have ever played. We are playing it on the easiest level. The puzzles are really challenging and good. the game play design is excellent! Many checkpoints which cuts down on the tedium of repetition. Great game and you can usually purchase it used.

Cramming

Cramming used to be a practice used by college students to study for their exams. Now it is a term for a form of fraud.

"Cramming" is when third party companies slip unauthorized charges into phone bills hoping that no one will notice. Because the bills are larger, small businesses are more susceptible. In fact, we discovered that an unauthorized charge was on our bill for $16 per month. Multiply by tens of thousands and someone is making a fortune! At consumers' expense.

This is also another good reason not to have bills paid by automatic deduction from your account along with online bills. Having a paper bill in my hand allowed me to see the charge clearly.
___________________________________
12:08 PM

We looked at other charges and found another $8 of illegal charges for a total of $24 per month. Keep in mind, these are hidden in a small business phone bill of more than $150 per month. Yet, taking $24 per month and multiply it by tens of thousands. Wow.

Verizon gave us some hints as to prevent this:
* Do NOT answer the phone with your name. That gives the caller too much information.
* If the caller asks, "Is this so-and-so?" do NOT say "yes". The caller then has a possibly recorded "yes" in your voice that they can use for any purpose. instead respond with "How can I help you?"
* If you receive a call asking you about a service, do talk at length with the caller in case they are recording your voice. Say a very short phrase such as "delete my phone number."

CAIR

What is CAIR? Well, one thing we know is that it is filled with Texan followers of a salafi Imam. That Imam was kicked out of his mosque because he was recruiting young men, in his mosque, and sending them to Afghanistan in the 1990s for training and fighting. You can connect the dots on your own.

He is now in Michigan.

Born in Syria, he was forced to leave (and he can not go back ever) in 1980s. He was a member of the Muslim Brotherhood at that time ( and probably still is), and the Syrian President expelled their organization and everyone in it.

After going to Egypt for a brief period, this young man decided to go to America in search of a vulnerable born-US bride so he could gain citizenship and have naturalized children. He was not alone; many followed in his footsteps as part of a Muslim Brotherhood plan to destroy our country.

He succeeded in his efforts to find an American bride. He also memorized the Quaran and became an imam. His followers are Salafi and they are what CAIR is all about. Judge on your own.

What Is Salafi?

Salafi is a radical form of Islam; in fact, it is Wahabi - there is not difference. The difference lies in the birth place of the practioner. Wahabi , Osama Bin Laden's religion, can only be practiced by Muslims born in Saudi Arabia. When Wahabi is practiced by people born elsewhere, it is called Salafi. When people refer to "following the Salaf", they are referring to following in Bin Laden's footsteps. Wahabi and Salafi are the most readical forms of Islam and they both believe in Jihad and terrorism.

Carbon Dioxide

The EPA has apparently deemed carbon dioxide a dangerous pollutant. Hunh?

Plants MUST have CO2. Plants produce oxygen which we need and in return we give them CO2. If plants do not get CO2, then they die. If plants die, then other life forms here on Earth die.

I think someone is getting confused over carbon DIoxide and carbon MONoxide. Definitely NOT the same gas. With a CO2 rich atmosphere, the Earth will be healthy, not the reverse.

Maybe the EPA should declare not thinking as being dangerous instead.

From A Friend

From one of my FB friends: "The first testicular guard, the "Cup", was used in 1874 and the first helmet was sued in 1974. That means it only took 100 years for men to realize their brains were also important."

Warning about Michael's Stores

All of the Michael's stores have gotten new checkout terminals. At least here in the Richmond, VA area, the card key pad is not in alignment with the new customer checkout screen. This means when you go to swipe your card and enter a pin number, the customer behind you, not you, will see your name and approval code, etc. I am not sure how criminals could use this information but I do not want to find out either. No more shopping at Michael's here until they either move the keypad or turn off the screens!

Additional FB Note

As an additional note, even if you set strict privacy controls for your own account, if you post anything on a non-secure FB page, it will be advertised to the World. The settings are determined by the page. the best way to see if this is happening to you, Google your sign in name..... See what the World is reading about you.

Scoop On Facebook

Here is material copied from FB that every user should know:

"Information we collect when you interact with Facebook:

Site activity information: We keep track of some of the actions you take on Facebook such as adding connections ... creating a photo album, ... indicating you "like" a post, attending an event , ... In some cases, you are also taking an action when you provide information or content to us. For example, if you share a video, in addition to storing the actual content you uploaded, we might log the fact that you shared it.

Access device and browser information: When you access Facebook from a computer, mobile phone, or other device, we collect information from that device about your browser type, location, and IP address, as well as the pages you visit."

And then the statement goes on to give information about cookies. It is important for people to know what they are signing up for on the Internet.

Shadow At Water's Edge

"The best Nancy Drew game ever." is what we all said when the game was finished. Challenging games, good story and game play (non-linear), and terrific humor! What through all of the credits and get a surprise. Well worth the money even in this economy!

Geology

Gravity and October have discovered that the local library has a bunch of "Great Courses" from The Teaching Company. They have watched Particle Physics, started WW2 series but it was very boring, and am now completely enjoying "Geology" presented by Dr. John Renton . The geology course is 36 enthralling lectures. They will now look at the world around them with new awareness!

Additionally, October has gone through one on the Louvre, along with Renaissance Art and one on Impressionism.

Next on the list is "Chaos"!

Wow -- Blog Stats

A few months ago, we updated our blogs to Blogger's new design package. Part of the package was "blog stats". Wow! People from all over are hitting our blog! France, Germany, Australia and even China!

Law & Order LA

This week's Law and Order Los Angeles was very well done. It was about Americans who covert to Salafi/Wahabi Islam and then think they have the right to murder anyone who does not agree with their beliefs and their way of life. As the prosecutor states in his closing arguments, "fanaticism and self-righteousness". There is even discussion about how fanatic Muslim women must ask their husband's permission to do anything. Interesting to see the changes in our TV shows as parts of America wake up.

So woodchucks do chuck wood!!

So Who's at War With Whom?

Muslims often say that their religion is not at war with us. Here is what the convicted Times Square bomber terrorist said today in court:

As Shahzad entered the courtroom, he warned Americans that more attacks were to come. "Brace yourself for the war with Islam. This is the first droplet of the flood that will follow," the 30-year-old Shahzad said, according to Bloomberg news. "The past nine years, the war with Muslims has achieved nothing for the U.S. except it has awakened Muslims."

Glad that got cleared up!

Where is it?

Rain, we need rain.

This Summer's Marathon

Many a summer we have done a marathon of TV watching focused on a single show. In the past we have done "House" marathon, "24" marathons, and one summer we did a marathon of watching the TV mini-series, "The Tenth Kingdom".

This summer we are watching one of the best TV series ever made, "Battlestar Galactica" (2004 to 2009) It is a superb drama with social and religious themes. We will miss it when it ends.

Rubicon

AMC HD has a new series -- "Rubicon". Awesome. We are working on he code hidden in "they hide in plain sight" and "drive away: don't look back it's time"! We are sure to crack it!