Troubleshooting the real problem

While setting up my cable box universal remote control I encountered a slight problem getting the TV on/off switch to be controlled. So, after trying every key combination I could think of, I last resorted to checking the manual. Flipping to the back I found the diagnostic section labeled - Troubles Hooting.

Troubles Hooting. Nice. So even "Trouble" is laughing at me now.

How am I supposed to trust this source of information? Instead of bringing me info on how to solve a problem, they indicate that trouble itself is laughing at me. I knew that remotes were stubborn and narrow minded but to learn that remote controls are also vindictive and petty was too much for me.

I guess this is the way it goes. You think you're going to get help and what you see as a big problem is just fodder for a joke to those around you. All I wanted was to be able to control the five devices from different manufacturers from one remote when I assume the position of couch potato. But we both know what happens when we assume.

But still, why should anyone have to juggle multiple remote controls and worse yet, remember which remote will control which function. Beside that, lining up the various remotes takes up valuable space on the coffee table where additional chips and drinks should go. This forces me to make additional trips to the kitchen to restock - and figure out which remote controls the pause function for the type of media I'm watching. This is serious business here.

In the end I was only able to get it down to two remotes with or without the help of the "troubles hooting" section.

Not much traffic today

This is the view heading south on the beach bike path between Rose and Washington in Venice. Some days the traffic is heavy on the bike path on the way to work. Today, it was wide open. Usually when the weather is clear and the sun is bright you see a huge array of walkers, bladers, joggers and crossing traffic (many with surfboards) but not today. I'm glad. All those babes in bikinis or spandex in your way gets sooo annoying.

Ok, I admit I was mainly looking for an excuse to add a shot of commuting route. Showing this picture in a post will further give me a reason to casually drop a reference to the the fact that I rode 467 miles on the bike in October. It wouldn't be bragging (though it is a personal record), just good, thorough journalism.

Yeah, that's what I'm going for, good thorough journalism. Not bragging. Nope. Not me. Oh, yeah, did I mention I'd ridden 467 miles last month? 467.2 to be exact, but who's counting? And the bikinis? Don't forget about the bikinis and spandex...

$23.95 and well worth it (or what I did last Friday night)

Found this wallet chain online in about 5 min for $23.95. It would have really come in handy a couple of Friday nights ago. I got to lunch with some friends at work and realized the wallet was in my car (a Ford F150 4 door truck), so I borrowed $20 for the meal (no I didn't spend it all on lunch - way too cheap). No big deal until I'm leaving work and have to rush to 1. pick up the dog at the groomer and
2. meet a friend at the airport,
3. have dinner, etc.
and realize the wallet is NOT in the truck but back at the house.

Time for Plan B. Or non-plan b as it turned out.

I proceed to the dog groomer and talk my way out the door with the dog with a promise to come back and pay later. Then, I start to put the clean dog in the back of the dirty truck and decide to get the truck washed, forgetting that I have no wallet.

The car is 1/2 way down the line before I remember the no money thing. I run over and change my order to the cheapest car wash and have enough money left from my lunch loan to pay for it and have $1 left over for a tip.

I make it to pick up the friend who of course gets to pay for dinner. Dinner was nice except it turns into a circus because the attention my dog garnered at the Hermosa Beach pier shopping area. The friend commented that it is fun to people watch and with Jasper you get to people watch up close and personal.

So, to end the evening I load the dog into the truck bed and head north toward Venice Beach. I don't get 2 blocks before a police car pulls behind me at a crosswalk. I immediately get nervous because my Nevada tag hasn't been switched to a Cali plate yet and it was 3 weeks overdue. Then my friend has to remind me that the tag is not the biggest problem because, a) I'm driving and b) I don't have my wallet and therefore my license.

We're able to roll away from the crosswalk and I'm planning to make my getaway at the 1st right turn when the lights come on.

How did this turn out? (Well, you might expect me to say I'm writing this from the county jail library and only have 3 min. left in the yard.)

The expired plate wasn't mentioned. The lack of license was forgiven. Insurance nor registration were ever shown. I passed the sobriety test as 3 diet cokes hadn't impaired my reactions too much. But I received a ticket for having an untethered dog in the back of the truck. Apparently there is a new law in California.

Boy have I learned my lesson - although I'm not sure what the lesson is.

Maybe they have one of those wallet chain thingies for my brain.