Geeking Out

I'm working on the network for my new place. Here's the router I want:

D-Link Wireless 108G Router

Mmmmmm... GigE backbone.... Wireless G... NAT and stateful packet inspection .... *drool*

I think it'll work well. Also, I've found a DSL provider I like. It costs a little more (like $20/mo more), but, gives me a static IP and no restrictions on ports or servers. 6 MBps downstream, 768 Kbps up. Not bad.

Furniture

So, now that I have a house, that is much larger than the condo I lived in before (3x larger), I need furniture.

I have some cash reserves to spend on this, so I want to get decent stuff. Not much more IKEA. Although IKEA works really well for bookshelves and media storage.

The frustrating part is that my mind is taken up with this. I could barely work today because I was much more interested in figuring out what couches / chairs / coffee tables / book cases / headboards / side tables etc I want in the various rooms. I've sent in a couple inquiries about *finally* getting my chair redone. I'm thinking some easily cleanable fabric in a cream color. It'll go well with the existing couch we're putting in the same room. I also want the legs a little bit higher - they were higher originally.

Boy, am I getting domestic.

Renting

I have tenants.

Now, to decide on a property management company so I don't get calls in the middle of the night.

Also, home inspection on the place we're buying went well. A few minor items, that's all. I do need to find a moving company. One estimate was $1300.... that sounds really high. It was only $2000 to go all the way from the condo here.

Writing Off Reading

From the Washington Post: Writing Off Reading

"A" students don't know what used to be considered standard vocabulary. I admit, there is one word the author picks out where the meaning I would first associate with it is not the one the author is considering (pith), but I know all these words.

Reminds me of when a friend of mine, who had graduated from a top university, with good grades, and who WAS a reader, did not know what the word 'deign' meant.

I feel so out of place.

Once More Expounding on Realtors

yes, I've been over this before.

Realtors lie. A lot.

My realtor who's showing my condo for rental put up a crappy ad on Craigslist. It didn't list a good chunk of the amenities. It gave no info on things like deposits & fees. It had NO pictures.

So, I waited a couple days, she didn't get back to me with anyone who wanted to rent it. So, I put up my own ad. I stated flat out that I'm working with a realtor and the company of the realtor. I list the fees, the amenities, the deposits. I give info on things like extra parking, bike storage. And I included 3 photos - the pool, the building, and the floor plan. I got all of those photos online from my condo association website in about 3 minutes. I got 20 responses in 5 hours. Every single one of them who expressed interest in seeing the space, I referred to the realtor.

The realtor yelled at me.

Well, if you were doing your job and advertising the complete condo, I wouldn't have to be doing it for you.

I want this place rented, rented soon, and dealing with realtors GONE!

Housing Update

We put in an offer today on a nice 3 bedroom, modern colonial.

I have pretty much given up on getting my condo sold anytime soon. I am trying instead to rent it out. I had one couple interested last week - 3 hours after I put it on the market - but for $150 less than I asked. I turned it down because it had only been on the market for 3 hours & was getting lots of requests to see it etc.

But.... nothing since then.

Here's hoping something comes up soon.

Date Lab

Wash Post article


They've brought Blind Date to the Washington Post??

Using big words

I appreciate that the folks I work with attempt to use good words. But really, this is a bit much:

"The per-defined reports will be secluded in [brand name] Broad cast agent"

OK, so per-defined was probably meant to be pre-defined.
But what the heck was secluded supposed to be?

A coworker and I who were reviewing this came up with the following list:
included, occluded, deluded, scheduled, schooled, looted, saluted

Word Fun

I had never realized this word had a meaning in regular English. I only knew it as its translated form in fencing: 'Counter Time' - an action against the tempo of the attacker. Inquartada (sp?) being one of them.

contretemps: something inopportune or embarrassing

Yet, from this definition, it means something inopportune. But using counter time is one of the most opportunity grabbing moments I know of in fencing. This amuses me.