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Firepit Fun

So, I lost my mind today and decided to build a fire pit.  I’m not sure what started it, or why I had to do it today (It was really hot, and humid).  But we have a huge amount of firewood, which we burn during the winter in our wood stove downstairs.  But we keep getting more and more wood, and we never use it all anyway.  So, I’ve had this idea for a few weeks.  I had several old concrete pavers, and plenty of large stones laying around, so I did it.  Below is the result.  I think it turned out pretty good.  I did go to Lowe’s and get some river rock to put around the large stones to fill in the cracks.  All in all, pretty good Saturday project.  It will get alot more use in August when it starts to cool down.  Even now it is so hot and sticky outside, you have to really want some s’mores to brave the heat of a fire.  But it was fun, Kayce and the boys liked it.  Parker really wanted to make s’mores, even though he wouldn’t eat one.  He just ate the marshmallows “plain”, as he calls it. 

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The iPhone 3GS (“S” for Submersible)

Well, I’m sure most of you have heard by now.  One of the most loyal fans and addicted users of the iPhone, jumped into the lake with his brand new 3GS in his pocket.  Yes, that was me.  But, firstly, let me say, it IS just a phone.  I had a great day on the lake with the family.  Ok, now back to the phone deal… 

So, most of you know I’m never, NEVER, without my phone.  I use it constantly at work (remoting to servers, computers, checking e-mail, playing Stick Wars…  you know what I mean).  So, I’m very used to it being in my pocket.  And that is how it ended up in the lake.  Habits, they kill people and phones.  After about one minute in the water, panic quickly swept through me, followed immediately by shame.  Kayce dried it off the best she could and turned it off.  We swam, fished, and drove all over the lake.  Great day.  Oh, I got sun-burned, caught one blue gill, and did I mention the phone thing?  So, after getting home and getting everyone settled back in, I broke out my tools (and my camera, enjoy the below pictures). 

I found several guides to tearing down the iPhone, but it really wasn’t as hard as I had imagined.  I guess if you’re going to build hundreds of thousands of these things, it better be easy to put together.  So, I managed to get the water all cleaned that I could see, and per the suggestion of several folks, I’ve put all the components in a bag of rice, Calrose Rice.  Yes, the good stuff, but its all we had on hand.  We like our sticky rice!  I actually debated for a moment on whether I should use the good rice or not, but then common sense won out.  $200 phone versus $20 bag of rice, hmm… 

So, now my phone… I almost hate to call it that, it’s so much more.  My PDA, no.  My…  Ok, let’s just call it what it is…  Karen.  Her name is Karen.  True fans of Spongebob will know what I’m talking about.  Kayce actually gave my phone that name.  Anyway.  So, now my phone sits in pieces in a bag of rice.  I’m probably going to leave it there until Sunday afternoon.  I’m only worried about the battery.  I’m postive the other components will dry out.  But batteries are very sensative.  And this is an $89.00 battery.  If it doesn’t work, I’m tempted to mod my phone to run on AAA’s.  I’ll let you know how that turns out, if I have to go down that road. 

So, enjoy the pictures of the breakdown of my phone.  I actually enjoyed doing it.  Any excuse to take something apart.  I’m off to search the cars and sofas for change to replace my phone for when the rice trick doesn’t work, and my corrupted battery explodes and destroys the rest of my phone.  Have a great night everyone.  I’m so glad I took the day off.  Ah.

Oh, in the meantime.  I’m not without a phone.  I always have my trusty HTC 3125, better know at the Cingular 3125.  It is the best (Probably the only) flip phone/Smart Phone ever!

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Giraffe Test, Are you a Preschooler or Professional?

giraffe1. How do you put a giraffe into a refrigerator?

This question tests whether you tend to do simple things in an overly complicated way.

2. How do you put an elephant into a refrigerator?

This tests your ability to think through the repercussions of your previous actions.

 3. The Lion King is hosting an animal conference.  All the animals attend …. Except one. Which animal does not attend?

This tests your memory. Okay, even if you did not answer the first three questions correctly, you still have one more chance to show your true abilities.

4. There is a river you must cross but it is used by crocodiles, and You do not have a boat. How do you manage it?

This tests whether you learn quickly from your mistakes.

According to Anderson Consulting Worldwide, around 90% of the Professionals they tested got all questions wrong, but many preschoolers got several correct answers. Anderson Consulting says this conclusively disproves the theory that most professionals have the brains of a four-year-old.

Click MORE to see the answers… Good Luck.

Continue reading…

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Father’s Day, Susong Style

I had a great father’s day. The Boys got up early and made me a Necktie Cake.  And by “The Boys”, I mean Kayce woke up early and made it.  The boys were still asleep.  What a gal!  We managed to all get ready and out the door in time for church, which was great, by the way.  We had a great morning.  In the afternoon we had a cookout with our small group.  We had a great time hanging out and swimming.  But most of all I had a great time eating!!  The food was great.  I’m looking forward to getting home this afternoon and eating what is left of the crab ceviche that the Garcias made.  It’s SO good.  By now, you have probably learned my priorities in life are Family, Tech, and Food.  With the latter two swapping from time to time.  Anyway, below are some pictures and videos from the weekend.  What a good time.  Not that work isn’t great.  I enjoy it too, and we eat pretty good around here, too.

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iPhone Headset Mod

Well,  I finally did it.  After being annoyed by the factory earbuds that came with my phone, I decided to trade them out for something alittle better.  I had a set of Sennheiser CXL300’s, which sound great, but due to the Lanyard design, were useless for my iphone.  They were cheap, since no one wanted the lanyard deal, but the in-ear drivers were really good.  Actually on the regular CX300, the same drivers cost about $80.  So, I was up for trying to swap them out. 

If you are wondering why I didn’t just make the cable longer, or even buy a new headset with in-ears…  Well, fair question, but I just like to do this kind of stuff.  And quite frankly, most in-ear headsets for the iphone are just too expensive, I refuse pay that much.  I wanted to have the functionality of the iphone controler and mic that are on the headset, so that’s why I didn’t just go with headphones.  Anyway, below are pictures of the project.  I had to do alittle research online about the wiring of the iphone headset, but after that it was pretty simple.  Just connect the two wires on each earbud.  Alittle solder to get a good connection, and then some heatshrink to make it all look nice and hold together.  Oh, I did put alittle liquid insulation on the wires to keep shorts from happening.  They seem to working like a charm.  I’m happy with them anyway.  I know kayce will like them, since those iphone earbuds hurt her little ears too. 

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Desk for sale

I’m finally giving up my desk from college. I’ll sell it cheap to a good home. The pictures are below. Email, Twitter, facebook me if you are interested. It will break down flat for moving. It also has a keyboard tray that isn’t shown.

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iPhone 3Gs… Pretty Peppy!

I’m alittle shocked to say this.  I didn’t expect there to be a huge difference from the 3G, but the 3Gs does seem to live up to the “s”, being speed.  My apps do seem to load very quickly compared to the 3G.  The compass is cool, the video is really great (although, this seems like something that should have been on the device all along).  Belows is a video taken with the phone.  Don’t judge the quality, it has been heavily encoded.  Below are a few screenshots of the new apps included in OS 3.0.  These are actually available for any iPhone, not just the new one.  The voice control is cool, but not practical, since it shuts down after you use it.  So for any followup commands you have to hold the home button again.  The voice recorder is nice, but several third party apps filled this void since Apple took three years to make their own app.  The compass is nice too, but I haven’t been able to get google maps to rotate to my current heading that way it should.  Which would really make the compass useful.  Right now, it’s just another neat toy.  Well, that’s it from me on the new phone.  Summary…  I like it!  I’m sure Kayce is also happy with her phone.  Which is my old iPhone 3G.  She’s addicted to a game called Falling Gems, and Pandora Radio.  Well, that’s the scoop on the iPhone 3Gs, as far as I’m concerned.  Maybe AT&T will get its act together and enable MMS and let Slingbox function over its network.  And while they are at it, they can hire some people, help the recession, and build the 3G towers in Clarksville, that they have been talking about for over a year.  Get to AT&T…  iPhone’s going to go to Verizon soon, and I might go with them!  Now that I’m on AT&T, I might just do another post later about that.  Check back for my rants on the Biggest Small-Time Carrier in the US!

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And the Thunder Rolls…

Clarksville Storms - From News Channel 5 SkyNet Cam

Clarksville Storms - From News Channel 5 SkyNet Cam

We had some bad storms roll through last night.  I thought I had better post something, since it has been awhile since my last post.  I was afraid some folks might think we had been buried by a tornado.  We weren’t.  We made it though alright.  I was alittle disappointed.  I opened the back door last night to let the hail fly in.  Now, before you say anything, I had a perfectly good reason for inviting the storm in.  I wanted to get a good picture to send into the news.  Well, none of the hail that made it into the house was large or pretty enough to make a picture, so I missed my chance.  Oh well…  There’s always the next storm, I guess. 
Now, on the home front.  We are all doing well.  Parker had his first Dentist appointment today.  He did really well.  They said he did great, and was super cute.  He has his moments.  Most of those moments just never happen when he is with me or Kayce.  4 year olds, what can you do, right? 
The most important news out of the Susong household, is by far, that fact that I’m getting the new iPhone 3Gs tomorrow!  I will be at AT&T at 7am to pickup my phone!  Not waiting in line, no!  I have pre-ordered, and will walk to the front of any line, and wave my reciept.  My phone was shipped directly from the factory to the store with my name on it.  So, no wondering IF I’m going to get one.  Nope.  It will be a great day.  Also, Kayce gets my current iPhone 3G, so we will be most awesome iPhone lovin’ family ever!  WOO HOO! 
Well, that’s all for now.  I’m sure I’ll be posting some pictures and what not from Parker’s dentist appointment, and of my new phone soon.  Keep a look out!
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WWDC, Apple Keynote Tomorrow!

I will be posting more tomorrow.  Kayce commented to me today that it had been awhile since I posted anything.  I’ve got some family pictures to go up tomorrow, and just so you know Tomorrow there is supposed to be big announcement from Apple at the WWDC meeting at 12pm Central!  Check out the liveblog on engadget.com.  They should be talking alot about the new iPhone Hardware and Software.  I’m excited!  Why? I’m not sure, since I can’t upgrade for another year!  Check it out regardless, it should be exciting!

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